The ellipsis (…), those three little dots, might seem insignificant, but they play a crucial role in academic writing, particularly when using the APA style guide. Misusing them can undermine the clarity and credibility of your work. This guide clarifies common errors and provides best practices for using ellipses in APA style.
What is an Ellipsis and When to Use It?
An ellipsis indicates an omission of words within a quoted passage. It's essential for representing excerpts accurately without altering their original meaning. You use it when you're shortening a quote to include only the most relevant parts. However, incorrect usage can distort the original author's intent and even lead to plagiarism accusations.
Common Mistakes with APA Ellipsis
Several common mistakes frequently occur when using ellipses in APA style. Let's examine them:
1. Incorrect Placement of Ellipses
Mistake: Placing the ellipsis at the beginning or end of a quote unnecessarily.
Correct Usage: Ellipses only indicate omitted internal words. If you begin or end a quote with an ellipsis, it implies that words are missing from the beginning or end of the original quote.
Example:
Incorrect: “…the study found significant results.” Correct: "The study found significant results." (No ellipsis needed if you're starting at the beginning of the original sentence.)
Incorrect: "The study found significant results…" Correct: "The study found significant results." (No ellipsis needed if you're using the entire sentence).
2. Missing Spaces Around Ellipses
Mistake: Running the ellipsis together with surrounding words without spaces.
Correct Usage: Always place a space before and after the ellipsis.
Example:
Incorrect: …thestudy… Correct: … the study …
3. Omitting Brackets When Adding or Changing Words
Mistake: Altering the original quote without using square brackets [ ] to indicate the changes.
Correct Usage: If you add words for clarity or change a word for grammatical consistency, enclose those changes in square brackets [ ].
Example:
Incorrect: The author stated, "...the results were impressive." (Implying the original quote ended with “impressive.”) Correct: The author stated, "...the results were [very] impressive." (Clearly shows the addition of "very").
4. Using Too Many Ellipses
Mistake: Using excessive ellipses, creating a confusing or disjointed quote.
Correct Usage: Use ellipses sparingly. Only omit words that are irrelevant to your point. If you omit several sentences, use only one set of ellipses.
5. Ignoring Punctuation Before and After the Ellipsis
Mistake: Failing to maintain the original sentence's punctuation.
Correct Usage: Preserve the original punctuation. If the original quote ends with a period before your omission, that period is usually dropped, and the ellipsis follows. However, if the ellipsis comes at the end of the sentence within the quote, retain the period.
Example:
Original: "The results were compelling, and the data strongly supported our hypothesis."
Quote (Correct): "The results were compelling…and the data strongly supported our hypothesis." (Period maintained at the end of the shortened sentence)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many spaces should I put around an ellipsis?
You should place one space before and after the ellipsis.
Can I use an ellipsis at the beginning of a quote?
No. An ellipsis at the beginning indicates an omission of words from the beginning of the original sentence. If you start at the beginning of the original sentence, no ellipsis is needed.
Do I need to use brackets when changing words in a quote?
Yes. Use square brackets [ ] to indicate any changes you make to the original quote. This ensures transparency and avoids misrepresenting the original author.
What if I omit a whole sentence?
Use only one set of ellipses to indicate the omission of one or more sentences.
By carefully following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately utilize ellipses within your APA-style papers, thereby enhancing the clarity and professionalism of your academic writing. Always prioritize accurate representation of the original source material.
