Excerpt:
* Refers to a longer passage of text. It's a snippet taken from a larger work, like a book, article, or speech.
* Focuses on providing context or conveying the overall tone and style of the original work.
* Often doesn't require attribution.
Quote:
* Refers to a shorter, specific passage of text. It's a direct statement taken from a source.
* Focuses on a particular idea, phrase, or sentence.
* Always requires attribution to the original source.
Here's an analogy:
Think of a book. An excerpt would be a few paragraphs from the book, giving you a taste of the story. A quote would be a single line or sentence from the book, highlighting a specific point.
Examples:
* Excerpt: "The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The air grew cool, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oak trees."
* Quote: "To be or not to be, that is the question." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
In essence, an excerpt provides a broader overview while a quote focuses on a specific point.