1. How to make a quotation sandwich

2. A quotation sandwich has 3 main parts
How to Make a Quotation Sandwich
A quotation sandwich has 3 main parts
Context
Quotation
Analysis

3. An example of a quotation sandwich
Donalbain is motivated primarily by his desire to stay alive after Duncan’s brutal murder. When Malcolm questions their silence at their father’s death, Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare ). Donalbain points out that there is nothing to be said amongst these men, who may be planning to harm him and his brother next. Instead, Donalbain emphasizes that they should flee—even before they grieve. This shows that Donalbain is focused on survival in the crisis, not the way he might appear to others.

4. 1. Context Orient the reader as to:
Where in the story the quote is from
What is happening at that moment
Which character said it to whom
Example:
Donalbain is motivated primarily by his desire to stay alive after Duncan’s brutal murder. When Malcolm questions their silence at their father’s death, Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare ).

5. 2. Quotation
Should not be too long
Should not merely state a fact
Must be punctuated correctly (use / to show line breaks)
Must be followed by the correct citation
Example:
… Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare ). Donalbain points out that …

6. 2.5 Punctuating & Citing the Quotation
The quotation will start with a lower case letter if you start in mid-sentence
The quotation will start with a capital letter if it is the beginning of a sentence
Put a / to show the line breaks
The author and act.scene.lines-lines will be in parenthesis after the quotation.
The period goes after the parenthesis.
…Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare ). Donalbain points out that …

7. 3. Analysis Your interpretation Describe what the quote reveals
Explain how it proves your point
Example:
“What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare ). Donalbain points out that there is nothing to be said amongst these men, who may be planning to harm him and his brother next. Instead, Donalbain emphasizes that they should flee—even before they grieve. This shows that Donalbain is focused on survival in the crisis, not the way he might appear to others.

8. Quotation Sandwich …mmm…delicious!
Topic Sentence
Context
Quote
Analysis
Donalbain is motivated primarily by his desire to stay alive after Duncan’s brutal murder. When Malcolm questions their silence at their father’s death, Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare ). Donalbain points out that there is nothing to be said amongst these men, who may be planning to harm him and his brother next. Instead, Donalbain emphasizes that they should flee—even before they grieve. This shows that Donalbain is focused on survival in the crisis, not the way he might appear to others.

9. For more information (MLA Style)
See A Pocket Style Manual p section titled “Integrating literary quotations”
See A Pocket Style Manual page 126 #19 “verse plays and poems” for more information on how to cite Shakespeare