Use double quotation marks for the main quotation.
Use single quotation marks for a quote within a quote.
Keep punctuation inside the final quotation marks if it belongs to the quoted material.
Place the parenthetical citation after the closing quotation mark.
Example: “She said, ‘I am ready to go’” (Smith 24).
If the nested quote ends with a question mark or exclamation point, keep it inside the single quotation marks.
If the outer quote is a full sentence, place the period after the parenthetical citation.
If the nested quote is a question or exclamation, retain that punctuation inside the inner quotation marks.
Use ellipses or brackets only when altering quoted material for clarity or brevity.