Question

Read the following quote:

We come then to the question presented: Does segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities and other "tangible" factors may be equal, deprive the children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities? We believe that it does. – Supreme Court of the United States, Brown v. Board of Education decision.

You are writing an essay on the Supreme Court ruling that declared school segregation unconstitutional. Should this quote be paraphrased or directly quoted, and why?


It should be directly quoted because it is a legal document.


It should be paraphrased because you can sum the ruling up in fewer words.


It should be paraphrased to avoid copyright violation.


It should be directly quoted because the Supreme Court is an expert source.

Answer 1

Select: "It should be directly quoted because it is a legal document."

Reason: Brown v. Board is a primary legal source whose precise wording carries legal and rhetorical weight. Quoting the Court preserves its exact meaning and authority for your essay (and you can still paraphrase parts for context). Note: U.S. Supreme Court opinions are public domain, so copyright is not a barrier.