Quotes in Essays?

Question

I'm having a discussion with a friend who is also applying to b-schools about including a quote in your intro. Personally, I think it's a bit cheesy, as I imagine many people start their essays with a supposedly profound quote. My friend thinks it is fine and doesn't detract at all from the essay.

What do you guys think? Is there a general rule regarding quotes, especially from famous people, in b-school essays? Do you give quotes a yay or nay?

EconGirl · Answer

I say stay away from quoting. To me quoting somoene in your essay may imply that you are more of a follower than a leader and shows lack of original thought since you are literarily taking someone's elses words to describe something that should be personal.

hosam · Answer

Not just that, I think some people believe that quoting someone else makes them sound smarter through association. I think it's overdone and you should stay away from it.

dukes · Answer

You are right and your friend is wrong. A quote might work once in a blue moon. Any book on this topic will confirm this.

gmatmba · Answer

unless the question asks your input on a quote or what your favorite quote is, you shouldn't do it.

jd04 · Answer

Not always. I quoted Outkast in my (undergrad) Economics senior research thesis. I used mean-variance optimization to create balanced portfolios that would outperform a passive 60/40 investment in S&P/Lehman Agg. Anyway, their 2000 hit "Ms. Jackson" includes the verse: 
"You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather."
While not terribly profound, I felt it complemented my message about investing, specifically that sweet model portfolios might not outperform passive ones.
I got an A on the paper, and no one (as far as I know) thought I was trying to saddle up next to the brilliant insights of Andre 3000 to make myself sound more clever.

hosam · Answer

Yes. Notice my use of the words "some people"

ps_dahiya · Answer

I think there is no general rule for that. I have seen dozens of successful essays. Many of them used quotes. If something really inspires you.. use it.

If you want to use it.. use it wisely. Not just for the sake of using it. Both your essay and quote should be speaking the same theme.

As far as issue of leader and follower is concerned, we live in an interdependent world and everybody have some role model. Having a role model or getting inspiration form someone else doesn't make you a follower.

Just my 2 cents

jaynayak · Answer

Personally it can be cheesy if you are including a quote just for the sake of it.

I used a lot of quotes in my first draft but completely eliminated it by the time I was ready with the final version. In all cases I found that it sounds better in your own words... not from others.

homefry · Answer

It all depends on the context.

I also think including quotes makes your essay appear cheesy, but I included a quote from my father that adds pazzazz to my essay.

I say don't write a famous quote from a famous person.

rhyme · Answer

Quotes are dangerous.

Here's why:

40% of people don't understand the quote or completely misinterpret its meaning to begin with. 
40% of people understand the quote, but tell a story totally unrelated to it
10% of people use a quote, write a story, and then try to somehow use the quote again at the end to "close" the essay. Usually its a weak connection at best, and usually it falls pretty flat. It doesn't sound cunning like you've suddenly brought everything full circle. Usually anyway.
5% of quotes are cliches.

The rest actually make it work.

Quotes in Essays?

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