What is quotation?
A group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker.
When to use direct quotation?
1- When you want to arrange against the idea of the author in the quotation you are including in your paper.
2- If the author's opinion represents a large group of experts or scholars.
3- It's hard to summarize the original paragraph, and if you do you will change the meaning.
4- The original paragraph is captivating and unique.
When is it not necessary to use a quotation?
1- When you are writing about your own ideas, opinions.
2- When you are writing about what is considered as "general knowledge" and is not information coming from one source.
What is general knowledge or common knowledge?
Broadly speaking, common knowledge refers to information that the average, educated reader would accept as reliable without having to look it up. It includes:
1- Information that most people know.
2- Information shared by a cultural or national group.
3- Knowledge shared by members of a certain field.
4- However, we have to be careful because maybe what is known as common knowledge in one culture might not be common knowldege in another.
one great advice if you are in doubt and not sure if the information is common knowledge or not CITE YOUR SOURCE.