The use of ellipses (...) in academic writing, particularly within the APA style, can be tricky. While seemingly simple, correctly employing ellipses requires understanding their purpose and the specific rules governing their usage within APA style guidelines. This guide will take you from beginner to expert, covering everything you need to know about using ellipses in your APA papers.
What are Ellipses and Why Use Them?
Ellipses are three equally spaced dots (...) used to indicate the omission of words, phrases, or sentences within a quotation. They show the reader that material has been left out, maintaining the original meaning while shortening the quote for clarity and conciseness. Overuse can disrupt the flow of your writing, however, so use them judiciously. Their primary function is to avoid lengthy quotations that might overwhelm your readers.
Basic Rules for APA Ellipses
The fundamental rule is simple: use three dots to indicate an omission within a sentence. Let's illustrate:
Original sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
Abbreviated sentence (using ellipsis): "The quick brown fox... jumps over the lazy dog."
Notice how the ellipsis neatly replaces the omitted words "brown" and without affecting the grammatical structure.
When to Use Four Dots
A slightly more complex rule involves the use of four dots. You use four dots when the omission occurs at the end of a sentence. The fourth dot represents the sentence's concluding period.
Original sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The dog then sleeps."
Abbreviated sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.... The dog then sleeps."
The fourth dot takes the place of the period that ends the first sentence.
APA Ellipses and Brackets: A Powerful Combination
Ellipses often work hand-in-hand with brackets. Brackets, [ ], allow you to add clarifying words or information to a quotation without altering its original meaning. This is particularly useful when you need to clarify the context or make the quote grammatically fit into your sentence.
Example:
Original quote: "The experiment... showed promising results."
Modified quote (with bracket): "The experiment [conducted by Smith et al.]... showed promising results."
Here, the bracketed information clarifies which experiment is being referenced.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect spacing: Remember the spaces between the dots! It's "...", not "…".
- Unnecessary ellipses: Don't use ellipses when it's not needed. If you're quoting a sentence in its entirety, there is no need for ellipses.
- Overusing ellipses: While helpful, too many ellipses can make your writing choppy and unclear. Try to minimize their use as much as possible while maintaining accuracy.
- Misusing ellipses at the beginning of a quote: Do not use an ellipsis at the beginning of a quotation unless words have been omitted from the beginning of the original sentence.
Handling Ellipses in Block Quotes
Block quotes (long quotations) have slightly different rules. The ellipsis is placed after the first complete sentence and used before the concluding sentence. Indentation is crucial here, and no quotation marks are needed within the block quote.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Applications
The nuanced application of ellipses often depends on the context. For instance, when dealing with lengthy omissions, you may need to use multiple ellipses to maintain the integrity of the original text. If you're unsure, always refer to the most recent APA Publication Manual for detailed guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I indicate the omission of multiple paragraphs in a quote?
When omitting multiple paragraphs, use a series of three spaced periods on their own lines to indicate each omitted paragraph followed by the continuation of the quote. Each of those lines would only have the three dots.
Are there any situations where ellipses shouldn't be used?
Yes, avoid ellipses when the omitted material is crucial to the meaning of the quote or when the omission could lead to misinterpretation. In such cases, you might be better off using a paraphrase instead.
Can I use an ellipsis to replace a complete sentence?
Yes, as demonstrated in the sections on four dots and block quotes, you can use an ellipsis to indicate the omission of a whole sentence. This is achieved through the use of four periods (three ellipses + the period) when the omission is at the end of a sentence.
What if the original quote already contains ellipses?
Maintain the original author's ellipses. Do not add your own unless you are also omitting further content from the source. Note this in your citation to clarify the alteration you have made.
This comprehensive guide should equip you to confidently and correctly utilize ellipses in your APA style writing. Remember to always consult the current APA style manual for the most up-to-date guidelines.
