When using a direct quote in a report, how should it be written?

When incorporating a direct quote in a report, it is essential to present it in quotations and word for word to maintain the original meaning and intent of the source material. This approach ensures that the exact phrasing used by the original author is preserved, allowing readers to see the precise language that conveys the author's thoughts, arguments, or findings. By doing so, the report gains credibility as it accurately cites the source, providing clarity and allowing readers to evaluate the validity of the claims made.

Additionally, using direct quotes can enhance the report's overall impact by highlighting strong or significant statements made by others, thus supporting your narratives or arguments. It's critical to provide proper attribution to the source of the quote to avoid plagiarism and to guide readers to the original context of the information.

In contrast, employing a summary or paraphrase would involve rewording the original content, which, while useful for conveying overall ideas, does not capture the specific phrasing or nuances that may be present in the original text. A footnote is typically not used for direct quotes but rather for providing additional information or citations related to the text.