“Yadda yadda yadda” by Blah Blah
Learning how to quote famous people is about more than grammar. When a writer quotes someone, especially at the head of an article, chapter or larger work, he is not just agreeing with the words of a master but aligning himself with a world view and revealing a portion of his choice of reading, which in turn reveals a degree of the author’s acquired knowledge and discerned wisdom. That is why it is paramount to know something about the person you quote as well as his/her more important works, especially the one quoted.
These days, information comes to us so easily that there is both a growing popularity of material separated from its source and a growing availability of research tools to reconnect it. So there is ample opportunity to look as if you know your stuff even if you are a novice. But readers are savvy and they have no bones about picking a bone with writers especially if readers can maintain their anonymity. Being a writer means putting a name, even if it’s a pseudonym, out there and protecting it from slander and misunderstanding. Misquoting and misusing a quote puts a writer in the awkward position of self defense against those who have nothing to lose. When faced with such moments I surrender my name to the sanctity and sanity of humility.
It is good to quote others and to give credit where credit is due. It is better to admit when wrong and plead mercy than to defend a lost cause and be judged. It is best to do your due diligence up front. You may quote me 😉 .
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