The humble ellipsis (...), those three little dots, often get a bad rap. While seemingly simple, their proper usage, especially within the strictures of the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide, can be surprisingly nuanced. Misusing ellipses can undermine the clarity and professionalism of your academic writing. This guide will clarify the APA's rules for using ellipses correctly, helping you avoid common pitfalls and ensuring your writing is both accurate and impactful.
What are Ellipses Used For?
Ellipses indicate an omission of words within a quotation. They signal to the reader that something has been left out, maintaining the original meaning while shortening the quote. Crucially, they shouldn't be used to simply shorten a quote or make it fit your narrative; they're for removing words that are unnecessary to your point. Think of them as surgical tools for precise excision, not blunt instruments for haphazard editing.
APA Style Rules for Ellipses: The Key Differences
The APA style guide dictates specific rules regarding ellipsis usage. Understanding these nuances is critical for producing error-free academic work. Here's a breakdown:
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Omitting Words Within a Sentence: When omitting words from within a sentence, use three dots with spaces between each dot (...). For example: "The quick brown fox jumps...over the lazy dog." Note that the original sentence's internal punctuation remains.
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Omitting Words at the End of a Sentence: When omitting words at the end of a sentence, use three dots followed by a period (....). This creates a four-dot sequence signaling both the sentence's end and the omission. For example: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog....The end."
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Omitting Material Between Sentences: When omitting material between complete sentences, use three dots followed by a period (....), then start the next sentence. This indicates that an entire sentence or more has been left out. For example: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog....The sun sets."
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Omitting the Beginning of a Sentence: When omitting material from the beginning of a sentence, simply begin with the ellipsis (...). Avoid beginning with a period unless you are also omitting the end of the previous sentence.
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When Not to Use Ellipses: Don't use ellipses to indicate a pause in speech or an unfinished thought unless it's explicitly part of the original quote. This is a common misuse. If a sentence trails off, preserve that as it is in your quotation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Using too many ellipses: Overuse dilutes their impact. Be judicious in your omissions, ensuring that the core meaning remains intact.
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Incorrect spacing: Always use spaces between each dot (…), never a single solid set of three dots (...).
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Ignoring internal punctuation: Maintain the original punctuation within the quoted material. Incorrectly removing or altering commas, semicolons, etc., can change the sentence's meaning.
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Using ellipses to replace a word: Don't use ellipses as a placeholder for a single word. If you need to leave out one word, consider alternatives to ellipses.
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Using ellipses at the beginning and end of a quotation: Avoid using ellipses at both the beginning and end unless significant material has been omitted from both ends.
How to Use Ellipses Correctly in APA Style
Let's illustrate with some examples:
Original Quote: "The sun is shining brightly today, birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. It is a beautiful day indeed."
Quote with omission at the end of a sentence: "The sun is shining brightly today, birds are singing... ."
Quote with omission between sentences: "The sun is shining brightly today.... It is a beautiful day indeed."
Quote with omission at the beginning and end: "...birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming.... "
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an ellipsis to show a pause in speech?
No, in APA style, ellipses are only for showing omissions within a direct quotation. To show a pause, use other methods, such as descriptive words like "paused" or a dash.
What if the original quote already contains an ellipsis?
If you are quoting a passage that already includes an ellipsis, leave it in. Don't replace it. If you must omit further material you can add your own ellipsis.
Should I put brackets around my ellipsis?
No, brackets are only used in APA style to clarify omissions or to show changes to capitalization or punctuation within a quotation.
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use ellipses in your APA-style writing. Mastering this seemingly small detail will significantly enhance the professionalism and clarity of your academic work.
