Authors use ellipses to omit words from a quote for several reasons:
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Brevity: To make a quote more concise and to eliminate unnecessary or irrelevant parts that do not contribute to the author’s argument or point.
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Clarity: Removing extraneous information can help clarify the main idea or focus on the relevant section of the quote, making it easier for readers to grasp the author's intention.
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Flow: Ellipses can help integrate a quote more smoothly into the author’s own writing, ensuring that the quote fits the tone and style of the surrounding text.
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Relevance: Sometimes a quote may contain context that is essential for understanding but is not pertinent to the author's argument. Omitting such context allows the author to highlight only the relevant portions.
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Avoiding Misinterpretation: By omitting certain words or phrases, an author can prevent the quote from being misinterpreted or taken out of context, ensuring that the intended meaning is preserved.
It is important for authors to use ellipses carefully to maintain the integrity of the original quote and avoid distorting its meaning.
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