When working with an argument, the writer needs to give evidence. An appropriate way of doing this is to include quotes from a legitimate source. The quotes the writer chooses are meant to give the writer (and her argument) credibility. The quote should be used to support the argument, but a problem arises when the writer assumes that the quotation speaks for itself. The quote is then just a random bunch of words and doesn’t help the writer’s argument, because it is a “hit and run” quote. The addition of the quote didn’t support the writer’s argument and confused/ distracted the reader from the point being made.
Quotes are a source, so they need to be used to support the overall point of the dispute. They aren’t space fillers and turn into that when they aren’t explained. With the “hit and run”, the writer just throws the quote out there and the writer raises an eyebrow and loses the legitimate point the writer was trying to make. The author needs to slow the car down and explain why she is bringing it up and why it supports her argument. The writer could start by saying who said the quote and why he is credible. This gives a smooth intro into the quote. Then the writer would state the quote. This would be perfectly fine right here if everyone thought about everything exactly the same way and understood every detail written or hidden between the lines, but we don’t, so the writer should then explain what the quote means and how it supports her argument. I would choose to say the quote in my own words, so I could add in why it backs up my argument. This is a way to effectively integrate the source and twist the focus back to the controversy.
The best way to avoid a “hit and run” is to stop and explain every detail. The writer needs to explain where the quote came from, who said it, what it means, and why it is relevant. This shows thought and credibility for the writer. A key quotation gives a pile of support and could make a big difference in the reader’s mind, so use it.
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