Quotation parentheticals

Definition

Quotation parentheticals are brief explanatory phrases or sentences placed within parentheses immediately following a quoted statement to provide additional context, clarification, or citation details. They help to clarify the meaning of a quote, indicate its source, or elaborate on the significance of the statement in relation to the text.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Quotation parentheticals typically follow direct quotes and can include information about the author's name, the year of publication, or specific page numbers.
2. They are especially useful in legal writing where precise citations and clarity are crucial for establishing authority and credibility.
3. Using quotation parentheticals effectively can enhance the readability of a document by providing context without interrupting the flow of the main text.
4. When writing, it's important to keep quotation parentheticals concise to ensure that they serve their purpose without overwhelming the reader.
5. In legal documents, quotation parentheticals can also help to clarify complex legal terminology or statutes, making them more accessible to readers.

Review Questions

• How do quotation parentheticals enhance the clarity and understanding of quoted material in legal writing?
  • Quotation parentheticals enhance clarity by providing immediate context or explanation for a quote, ensuring that readers understand its relevance and implications. This is particularly important in legal writing, where precision and clear communication are vital. By including details such as authorship and publication information within parentheses, writers help readers quickly grasp the significance of the quoted material without detracting from the main argument.
• Discuss the impact of effectively using quotation parentheticals on a legal document's overall persuasive power.
  • Effectively using quotation parentheticals increases a legal document's persuasive power by reinforcing arguments with well-cited authority and context. When quotes are followed by clear explanations or citations, it demonstrates thorough research and enhances credibility. This attention to detail makes the argument more convincing, as it shows that the writer has engaged with relevant sources and understands their implications in relation to their argument.
• Evaluate how quotation parentheticals can affect the way legal arguments are interpreted by different audiences.
  • Quotation parentheticals can significantly affect interpretation by providing necessary context that shapes understanding for various audiences. For legal professionals familiar with terminology, concise parentheticals may suffice. However, for laypersons, additional explanations can be essential for comprehension. Thus, tailoring quotation parentheticals based on audience needs not only clarifies complex arguments but also enhances accessibility, ensuring that all readers can engage with and understand the legal discourse presented.

Related terms

Citations: References that provide the source of information or ideas, allowing readers to locate the original material.

Block Quotes: Longer quotes formatted as a separate block of text, typically used for quotations exceeding a specific length and often requiring special formatting.

Paraphrasing: The act of rephrasing or summarizing someone else's ideas in your own words while maintaining the original meaning.