Proper Use of Quotation Marks in Academic Writing

Cambridge Standards and Professional Paper Guidelines

Incorrect Usage of Quotation Marks

Using Quotes for Emphasis

The results were "significantly" different from the control group.

This usage is incorrect in academic writing. Quotation marks should not be used to add emphasis to words.

Using Quotes for Technical Terms

The "double-blind" study was conducted over six months.

This is incorrect if the term is standard in your field. Only use quotes when introducing a technical term for the first time.

Using Quotes for Slang or Colloquialisms

The economic model was "ballpark" accurate for our purposes.

Avoid using quotes around informal language; instead, choose more precise academic terminology.

Correct Usage of Quotation Marks

Direct Quotations

As Smith (2020) argues, "The correlation between these variables cannot be ignored" (p. 45).

This is the primary correct use of quotation marks in academic writing.

Titles of Short Works

The article "Climate Change Implications" was referenced throughout the study.

Use quotes for titles of articles, chapters, poems, and other short works.

Technical Terms or Ironic Usage

The so-called "revolutionary" approach yielded conventional results.

Quotes can be used to indicate ironic or doubtful meaning, or when first introducing a technical term.

Key Takeaway: Under Cambridge standards, using quotation marks for emphasis is incorrect in professional papers.

Instead, use precise language, proper italicization, or strong sentence structure to convey emphasis.

Alternatives to Quotation Marks for Emphasis

Italicization

The results were significantly different from the control group.

Italics are the preferred method for adding emphasis to words in academic writing.

Strong Word Choice

The results demonstrated a pronounced divergence from the control group.

Choose stronger, more precise vocabulary rather than relying on formatting for emphasis.

Sentence Structure

What was most striking about the results was their significant deviation from the control group.

Place important words at the beginning or end of sentences for natural emphasis.

Note on Cambridge Style Guidelines

Cambridge University Press recommends following style guides such as MHRA, APA, or Chicago depending on your discipline. All of these guides explicitly prohibit using quotation marks for emphasis. Always consult your specific department's style guide for precise requirements.

This HTML document demonstrates proper and improper usage of quotation marks in academic writing according to Cambridge standards.

Remember: Clarity and precision are paramount in professional papers.