Brackets { [ ] } are placed around
information or alterations inserted
into a direct quotation.
Using Brackets Properly
1) Use brackets to add information or make alterations to a direct
quotation.
Dr. Irons said, “I have told him [Mr. Quest] the good news.”
2) Use brackets around sic to indicate an error in a direct quotation.
According to a recent article in the Supermarket Tabloid, the human
population is “increasing by half [sic] each year.”