Do I Need Quotation Marks When I Quote Myself? 🤔 A Complete Guide

Quoting yourself can feel tricky. When you’re writing, sharing thoughts online, or crafting a professional article, you may wonder:

Do I need quotation marks when I quote myself? The answer isn’t always straightforward.

This guide dives deep into the rules, examples, and best practices to help you quote yourself confidently and ethically.

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What Is Self-Quotation and Why It Matters

Self-quotation is repeating your own previously written words verbatim. It differs from paraphrasing your ideas because you’re using the exact phrasing from a prior work.

Self-quoting is important because it:

• Ensures clarity for your audience
• Protects against self-plagiarism in academic and professional writing
• Demonstrates credibility by showing that you’ve previously expressed the same idea

For instance, if you wrote in a blog last year, “Consistency in content builds authority,” quoting yourself in a new post gives weight to your argument.

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The Core Rule: When Quotation Marks Are Needed

The main principle is simple: use quotation marks when repeating your words exactly.

• Use them: When quoting from published articles, books, papers, or online posts.
• Skip them: When paraphrasing, summarizing, or expressing the same idea differently.

Here’s a quick table to guide you:

Use Quotation Marks If…	Skip Quotation Marks If…
Quoting your own published work word-for-word	Summarizing your previous idea in new words
Want readers to recognize prior publication	Reusing informal notes, drafts, or private messages
Quoting from articles, essays, or books	Echoing general thoughts without exact phrasing

Pro Tip: Quotation marks aren’t optional when republishing exact words in formal contexts. It signals honesty and credibility.

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Examples: Correct vs. Incorrect Self-Quoting

Here’s how it works in practice:

Correct (with quotation marks):

In my previous article, I wrote, “Consistency in content builds authority.”

Incorrect (without quotation marks when needed):
In my previous article, I wrote that consistency in content builds authority.

Notice the subtle difference? The first example clearly shows that the line is from an earlier work, while the second might mislead readers into thinking it’s original in this context.

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Academic and Professional Contexts

When Self-Quotation Requires Citation

In academic and professional writing, quoting yourself often counts as citing a source. Here’s when it’s mandatory:

• You’re reusing text from a published paper or conference article
• You’re referencing previous dissertations, reports, or essays
• You want to avoid self-plagiarism

Self-plagiarism occurs when you republish your previous work without proper acknowledgment. While you’re the author, copying large parts without citation is considered unethical.

Style Guide Rules

Different style guides have specific rules:

Style Guide	Self-Quotation Allowed?	Citation Required?
APA 7th Edition	Yes, if published	Yes
MLA 9th Edition	Yes, for previously published text	Yes
Chicago Manual	Allowed with context	Recommended

Example (APA 7th Edition):

Brown (2020) stated, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity” (p. 34).

Here, quotation marks and citation are mandatory because it’s a published source.

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Creative Writing and Literature

Authors often quote themselves to create thematic continuity or emphasis. Unlike academic writing, the tone here is flexible.

When to use quotation marks in creative writing:

• When repeating a line verbatim from an earlier work
• To highlight a recurring theme or motif
• When the repetition has stylistic or narrative purpose

Case Study:
J.K. Rowling reused subtle phrases in sequels for consistency. Quotation marks weren’t always needed because the repetition was conceptual rather than verbatim.

Checklist for Creative Writing:

• Does the line match the earlier work exactly? ✅ Use quotes
• Is it thematic, not exact? ✅ You can skip quotes
• Will quoting enhance the narrative? ✅ Use for emphasis

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Personal Essays and Blogging

Quoting yourself in blogs or essays can engage readers and emphasize points. Unlike academic papers, you don’t always need strict citations, but clarity matters.

When to use quotation marks:

• Sharing a memorable line from your previous post
• Highlighting advice or tips you gave earlier
• Maintaining reader trust by showing the origin of ideas

Example (Blog context):

In last year’s post, I said, “Authenticity trumps perfection every time.”

When to skip them:
When you are simply restating a concept in your own words to fit the flow of the new post.

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Quoting Yourself for Emphasis or Effect

Self-quotation can reinforce key messages. It works particularly well in motivational writing, speeches, or opinion pieces.

Tips:

• Use sparingly to avoid self-indulgence
• Format correctly: italics, block quotes, or quotation marks depending on length
• Combine with fresh analysis to give context

Example:

“Consistency in content builds authority.” This principle has guided my writing for over a decade, ensuring each post strengthens my brand.

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Digital Writing: Websites, Newsletters, and Social Media

Online, self-quotation is about clarity, branding, and authority.

Tips for using self-quotes online:

• Use quotation marks or block quotes for exact phrases
• Add links to the original source if possible
• Avoid excessive repetition to maintain engagement

Warning: Overusing self-quotes can appear self-promotional and reduce impact.

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Research, Journalism, and Nonfiction

In journalism and nonfiction, self-quotation is more than stylistic; it’s ethical.

• Always cite your previous work when reusing content
• Know your copyright rights—owning text doesn’t mean you can skip attribution
• Avoid excessive replication; summarize when possible

Common pitfalls:

• Using quotation marks incorrectly
• Forgetting citations for published work
• Over-repeating ideas that could be paraphrased

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Common Mistakes Writers Make

Avoid these errors when quoting yourself:

• Skipping citation in formal writing
• Misusing quotation marks for paraphrased ideas
• Over-quoting in essays or blogs
• Using quotation marks for emphasis only

Correct usage ensures your writing stays professional and credible.

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Best Practices for Self-Quotation

• Always check style guides for academic work
• Use quotation marks only for verbatim lines
• Paraphrase when possible to maintain originality
• Keep self-quotes relevant and purposeful
• Link to original sources when publishing online

Golden rule: Self-quoting should enhance clarity and credibility, never confuse readers.

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Real-World Examples

Brené Brown

• Often references her previous research on vulnerability
• Uses quotation marks and citations in academic and nonfiction books

Seth Godin

• Quotes from his previous blogs and books
• Maintains authority without sounding repetitive

These examples show how self-quotation can reinforce credibility and consistency.

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Tools and Resources

• Zotero & Mendeley: Manage self-citations
• Grammarly & ProWritingAid: Check for correct quotation usage
• Official style guides: APA, MLA, Chicago online references

Tip: Using these tools helps maintain proper formatting and ethical self-quotation practices.

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FAQs About Quoting Yourself

Do I always need quotation marks when quoting myself?

No. Use them only when repeating exact words; paraphrasing doesn’t require quotation marks.

Is self-plagiarism a real concern?

Yes. Copying your published work without citation can be considered unethical in academic and professional contexts.

Can I quote myself on social media?

Absolutely. Quotation marks clarify that it’s a repeated thought, and linking to original content boosts credibility.

What style guide should I follow?

It depends on your context. APA, MLA, and Chicago have clear rules for self-quotation.

How often can I quote myself?

Sparingly. Overuse can appear self-promotional and reduce impact.

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Conclusion

Quoting yourself is both an art and a science. Use quotation marks when your words are verbatim, cite published work when necessary, and paraphrase to maintain originality.

Done correctly, self-quotation strengthens credibility, emphasizes key points, and guides readers through your ideas seamlessly.

Always balance repetition with fresh content, and your self-quotes will enhance your writing rather than distract from it.