Socrates wrote, 'We cannot live better than seeking to become better'.

Not only is this a great mantra to live by, but Socrates' words are correctly introduced with a comma before the quotation.

The comma makes a small pause that emphasizes Socrates' well-known epigram.

1. To quote someone in your writing, use an introductory phrase followed by a comma

Here are some common phrases you can use to quote someone in your writing:

• Saint Paul warned, 'Bad company corrupts good character'.

• According to Confucius, 'Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated'.

• Descartes observes, 'The only thing we have power over in the universe is our own thoughts'.

• Margaret Atwood states, 'A word after a word after a word is power'.

2. Don't use a comma if the introductory phrase ends in 'that' or 'as'

• Roald Dahl describes the writing process as 'essentially rewriting'.

• Aristotle wrote that 'laughter is a Godly exercise, precious to health'.

3. To add a quotation after a full sentence, use a colon instead of a comma

• Socrates was clear about one thing: 'Every action has its pleasures, and its price'.

• Aristotle leaves us these wise words: 'Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing and being nothing'.

Reinforce the learning with writing practice

Students can write 3 or more sentences of their own, using each of the 3 ways. to introduce quotations.