When you're citing a quote within a book quote, you're essentially nesting one citation within another. This is often necessary when you're discussing a specific point within a larger work. Here's how to do it:
1. The Outer Quote
- Start with the outer quote. This is the quote from the book that you're using.
- Enclose it in quotation marks. This is standard for all direct quotes.
- Include the author's name and the page number. This is crucial for providing context and allowing readers to find the source.
2. The Inner Quote
- Now, within the outer quote, insert the inner quote. This is the specific quote from within the book that you want to highlight.
- Use single quotation marks for the inner quote. This differentiates it from the outer quote.
- Include the author's name and page number, if applicable. If the inner quote is from a different source than the outer quote, you'll need to cite it separately.
3. Example
Here's an example of how to cite a quote within a book quote:
"In his book, The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote, 'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.' This principle emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and avoiding unnecessary conflict."
In this example:
- The outer quote: "In his book, The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote, 'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.' This principle emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and avoiding unnecessary conflict."
- The inner quote: 'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.'
4. Additional Notes
- Use brackets to clarify the citation. If the inner quote is from a different source than the outer quote, use brackets to indicate this. For example: "In his book, The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote, 'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.' [Sun Tzu, The Art of War, p. 75]"
- Maintain consistency. Use the same citation style throughout your work.
By following these steps, you can properly cite a quote within a book quote, ensuring clarity and accuracy in your writing.
