Final answer:
An ellipsis in writing, indicated by three dots ..., denotes that part of a direct quote has been omitted. To preserve the integrity of the quoted material, it should not alter the original meaning.
The correct option is 'c. deleted from a quote'.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ellipsis is used in writing to indicate that something has been omitted from a direct quote. When quoting someone's exact words, sometimes parts of the quote are not relevant to the point being made or would make the sentence too lengthy. In such cases, ellipses (represented by three dots ... within a sentence or four dots to indicate the omission of a complete sentence) are used. It is important not to change the original meaning when using an ellipsis. If we need to add or clarify a word in the quotation for it to make sense, we use brackets [].
To answer the student's question specifically: An ellipsis indicates that something has been deleted from a quote. Therefore, the correct option is 'c. deleted from a quote'. Make sure not to misuse ellipses, as the integrity of the quoted material must be maintained.