Final answer:
Ellipses within a direct quotation indicate the omission of words or phrases. They help in maintaining the brevity and relevance of the quote, without altering its original meaning. Brackets are used to add or clarify information.
Step-by-step explanation:
When inside a direct quotation, ellipses (...) indicate the omission of words or phrases. This punctuation tool is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the original quote while ensuring that the sentence remains concise and relevant to the context in which it is being used. When using ellipses, it is important to bear in mind that you should not distort the original meaning of the quote. To indicate words have been omitted within a sentence, three dots are used. If a complete sentence has been omitted, four dots are incorporated.
For instance, let's consider a quotation from a cybersecurity expert, Flynn: "Cybersecurity is an important issue for businesses of all sizes. Every business from Fortune 500 companies to mom-and-pop stores has an obligation to protect customers' sensitive data. Data breaches, such as the Target breach in 2014, have been known to erode trust." If this quote is too lengthy or contains irrelevant information for the point you are trying to convey, you may shorten it to: "Cybersecurity is an important issue for businesses... Data breaches, such as the Target breach in 2014, have been known to erode [consumers'] trust [in the company]." (Flynn). In this shortened version, ellipses signify that part of the original quote has been omitted and brackets are used to add clarity.
Direct quotes establish ethos, and provide evidence to back up claims. However, it's important to use them sparingly to avoid overwhelming the thesis. When changing the form of the quote to fit the grammar of the sentence, slight alterations can be made with the use of brackets. When choosing to quote, it is better to reserve it for instances where the exact words offer the strongest support or are especially vivid and precise.