Expert: Kaylyn Anderson - 2/7/2008

Question
As teachers at the Middle School level, we feel it would be most appropriate for our students, when quoting Davy Crockett in 1834, to change one word in his quote.  Would the following method be legit?

Original quote: "If you do not wish to re-elect me, you can go to hell, and I will go to Texas."

Changed to: "If you do not wish to re-elect me, you can go to . . [heck] . ., and I will go to Texas."

I think it's obvious what we're trying to accomplish here.  How do we go about it?

Thanks
Rod Businga

Answer
Dear Rod:
Thank you for writing to Allexperts.

When you want to insert a quote that differs from the original, insert the change in brackets.
"If you do not with to re-elect me, you can go to [heck], and I will go to Texas."

Using the ellipsis (...) signifies that you omitted information. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Kaylyn