The Art of Seamlessly Weaving Sources Into Original Content Quote Integration The Art of Seamlessly Weaving Sources Into Original Content

Quotation Uses To argue with another author’s definition of a term To provide statistical evidence or testimony to validate a claim To present the reader with a statement we wish to refute or discuss in detail

Quotation Problems The Weak Weave: If the reader sees clear distinctions between the writer’s voice and those of his sources, the text becomes disjointed and loses fluency. This will likely result in frustration for the reader. Ex: Jill and Sandy were best friends. “You are my best friend” (Jones 10). This was stated by Sandy.

Quotation Problems Cont’d The Dreary Design: If each quotation is introduced using the same sentence structure and the same verb to indicate the author’s opinion, readers will quickly become bored with the presentation and tune out the writer’s message. Ex: Jones says, “…” Jones says, “…” Jones says, “…”

Quote Problems Cont’d The Salting Syndrome: If a reader can remove the quotes that have been “sprinkled” through the paper and still understand the essay, then the quotes are not an integral part of the essay and do not further the argument.

Quotation Problems Cont’d The Overpowering Opinion: If the writer over-quotes, essentially summarizing another author, the writer’s voice will be lost as the powerful opinion of an “expert” occupies the slot in which the reader expects to find original content.

Quote Integration Tips Make sure that they are integrated smoothly into the argument, flow, and syntax of the paper without any logical or grammatical jolts. All borrowed ideas or words should be accompanied by a signal phrase that names the author or otherwise alerts the reader that the information is from a source.

Quotation Steps Introduce Integrate Interpret

Step 1: Introduce You start by setting up, or introducing, the quote. You should establish the point you will be making and provide enough background information so that the quote makes sense Ex: Camaraderie among the soldiers is never more evident than in the relationship between Lemon and Rat. One day, Rat, following Lemon’s untimely death, “writes a tearful letter to his sister”(O’Brian 65).

Step 2: Integrate Next, you integrate the quote into a sentence by setting it off using a comma or blend it into your own writing Ex: When he receives no response, Rat states, “Jesus Christ, man, I write this beautiful . . . letter, I slave over it, and what happens? The dumb [girl] never writes back” (O’Brien 69).

Step 3: Interpret Finally, you interpret the quote. NEVER LET A QUOTE SPEAK FOR ITSELF. Interpret does not mean restate or repeat; Interpret means to explain the significance of the quote in regard to the point you are making. Avoid using phrases like, “This quotes shows . . .” or “In the previous quote . . .” After enduring the horrifying experiences of war together, Lemon and Rat are clearly extremely close. The way Rat describes it, their relationship is even deeper than that of family; that is the reason Rat reacts so violently to being ignored by Lemon’s sister.

Verbs/Signal Phrases and Quotation Verbs can be used to introduce summaries, paraphrases, and quotations that indicate the author’s point of view on the topic, thus adding to the writer’s rhetorical power. In the sentence Smith __________ that the “flood might have been disastrous,” filling in the blank with observes, finds, or insists would create different meanings.

Verb/Signal Phrase Options Neutral Author Comments Describes Explains Illustrates Notes Observes Relates Writes Says Author Implies Analyzes Asks Concludes Finds Predicts Proposes Reveals Speculates Suggests Supposes

Verb/Signal Phrase Options Cont’d Author Argues Claims Contends Defends Holds Insists Maintains Agrees Concedes Concurs Grants Author Disagrees Disparages Belittles Bemoans Complains Condemns Deplores Deprecates Derides Laments Warns

Some examples of signal phrases with author tags According to Jane Doe, "..." As Jane Doe goes on to explain, "..." Characterized by John Doe, the society is "..." As one critic points out, "..." John Doe believes that "..." Jane Doe claims that "..." In the words of John Doe, "..."