How to Write an Indirect Quote: Steps & Example

An indirect quote is a paraphrased or summarized version of someone else’s words rather than a direct copy. You might use indirect quotes in a written assignment to demonstrate your understanding, enhance readability, or avoid excessive direct quotations.

To write an indirect quote, you should:

1. Indicate its author
2. Paraphrase the quote
3. Add an in-text citation

In this article, we will go over each step in more detail and provide an example.

1. Include the Author & an Introductory Verb

Usually, an indirect quote starts with the name of the person to whom it originally belongs. The name is followed with a verb implying the author’s action or intent. For example:

• Claim
• Remark
• Mention
• Observe
• Doubt
• Add
• Confirm
• Reveal

Introductory verbs are often followed with “that” for a smoother transition.

2. Paraphrase the Quote

An indirect quote should convey the main idea of the original in your own words rather than copying it verbatim. To achieve this, you need to paraphrase and integrate the quote smoothly into your writing—for example, by changing 1st-person pronouns into 3rd-person ones and replacing complicated terms with synonyms.

Paraphrasing any text is easier if you use our essay rewriter. This convenient tool will instantly replace the required percentage of words with alternatives.

3. Add an In-Text Citation

Since an indirect quote contains another person’s ideas, you should credit the author with an in-text citation. Unlike a direct quote, an indirect one doesn’t require the page number. The basic format goes like this:

Indirect Quote Example

Here’s how you can rearrange a direct quote into an indirect one.