The APA 7th edition style guide provides specific guidelines for using ellipses, those three little dots (...) that signal omitted material within a quote. Mastering their correct application is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and clarity in your writing. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using ellipses in APA style, ensuring your citations are accurate and your papers are polished.
What is an Ellipsis and When to Use It?
An ellipsis (plural: ellipses) is a series of three periods (...) used to indicate the omission of words, sentences, or paragraphs from a direct quotation. It's essential for shortening lengthy quotes while preserving the original meaning and avoiding misrepresentation. You should only use an ellipsis when omitting material from within a quote; do not use an ellipsis at the beginning or end of a direct quotation unless you are also omitting material from within the quote.
Placement of Ellipses in APA 7th Edition
The placement of the ellipsis is vital. Here's the breakdown:
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Within a sentence: If you omit words from within a sentence, use three periods with a space before and after. For example:
"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog...and then takes a nap."
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Between sentences: If you omit an entire sentence or more, use three periods followed by a space, then a period. This creates a four-period construction. For example:
"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. ... The sun sets in the west."
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Omitting the end of a sentence: If you are omitting material from the end of the sentence, only use three periods with a space before. Do not add a period at the end of the ellipsis.
Using Brackets with Ellipses
Sometimes, you might need to make a slight alteration to the quote to make it grammatically correct within the context of your paper. In these instances, use brackets to indicate changes made to the original quote.
For example: "The quick brown [fox] jumps...over the lazy dog" This shows that you removed material before "fox", but added the word "fox" to make grammatical sense.
Ellipses and Block Quotes
For block quotes (quotes exceeding 40 words), the ellipsis rules remain the same, but the formatting changes. Block quotes are indented and don't require quotation marks. Ellipses still indicate omitted material.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an ellipsis at the beginning or end of a quote unnecessarily: Only use an ellipsis to indicate omitted material within the quote.
- Incorrect spacing: Always ensure correct spacing—a space before and after the three periods (except at the end of a sentence).
- Overuse: Avoid using ellipses excessively, as it can disrupt the flow and clarity of your writing. Only omit material when it's necessary for brevity and does not alter the original meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What if I need to omit the first part of a sentence while keeping the rest?
A: You would still need to indicate the omission with an ellipsis after the first period you add. However, using the ellipsis in this case may lead to an unclear or misleading quote. Consider alternative ways to structure your citation. Rephrasing or only using the relevant portion of the quote is usually better in this circumstance.
Q: How many ellipses should I use to indicate a larger omission?
A: Three periods are always sufficient to show that text has been omitted, no matter how extensive the omission. Do not use multiple sets of three periods.
Q: Can I use an ellipsis within a title or heading?
A: While possible, it's generally discouraged. Titles and headings should remain clear and concise. Try to rewrite the title or heading without any omitted words.
Q: What if the ellipsis alters the meaning of the quote?
A: Avoid doing this. The goal is to shorten the quote without changing the intended meaning. If shortening a quote with ellipses would change the intended meaning, it's better to use a full citation or to rephrase the idea in your own words.
By following these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate ellipses into your APA 7th edition papers, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and academic integrity. Remember, proper use of ellipses demonstrates attention to detail and contributes to the overall quality of your academic work.
