S-L-E-D Method Checklist for incorporating (sliding) quotes into writing O S = SET-UP  Give background/context for quote O L = LEAD-IN  Bring quotes naturally into your sentence O E = EXCERPT  Use only the words necessary for your point to be made O D = DEVELOPMENT  Explain the point you’re making with the excerpted text

S = SET-UP My quoted text is going to be about workers and low pay, so my set-up needs to relate to my topic. O An increasing number of studies have been conducted about low-wage earners since the Great Recession. Signals that research is coming… Signals topic / focus of upcoming research excerpt

L = LEAD-IN + E = EXCERPT According to a 2011 article published on the U.S. Department of Labor website, “nearly 72% of workers who reentered the workforce [since the recession] have worked for significantly less pay than they were making before the recession” (“Recession Hits” 4). Mention source; lead-in is a fragment to which you’ll add the excerpt for a complete sentence. In-text citation. If no author, use shortened title

D = DEVELOPMENT O Make clear point based on the quoted text. O What you “figured out” or are proving based on the excerpt. O This statistic illustrates how difficult it has been for those making above minimum wage, but who still qualify as low-wage earners, to rebound in this economy. Furthermore, it highlights the need for additional skill training so workers can be hired at higher-paying jobs. Transition to link ideas (add onto)

Seeing how the S-L-E-D works… (S) There have been an increasing number of studies conducted about low-wage earners since the Great Recession. (L) According to a 2011 article published on the U.S. Dept. of Labor website, (E) “nearly 72% of workers who reentered the workforce [since the recession] have worked for significantly less pay than they were making before the recession” (“Recession Hits” 4). (D) This statistic illustrates how difficult it has been for those making above minimum wage, but who still qualify as low-wage earners, to rebound in this economy. Furthermore, one can see the need for additional skill training so workers can be hired at higher-paying jobs… …(begin setting up next point.)

Avoid Awkwardness & Long Excerpts (S) Salary is only one thing to look at. (L1) A study by the American Economic Group, said (E1) “consider the price of goods in relation to pay.” (L2) Jack Jones wrote in an article, (E2) “The average prices of goods have increased dramatically to a 15-year high and that, in the long-term, threatens to undermine any economic recovery that has been gained since the recession” (Jones 16). (D) This means that even if a worker has a job during and after a recession, the recession can make his money less to buy things like he was broke. Awkward to introduce source by breaking it into 2 parts with a quote separating them. Long excerpts take away from YOUR VOICE. The research does most of the “talking” when it should be you interpreting the research for your audience.

“Less is More” Partial Quotes = Fluency & Style REVISION (S) However, salary is only part of the picture. (L) Jack Jones of the American Economic Group notes that the prices of goods matters as much as salary, especially when prices have risen to a (E1) “15-year high” and threaten to (E2) “undermine our economic recovery” (16). (D) Consequently, even if a worker is still employed during and after a recession, his buying power is seriously diminished by the recession. Added better transitions. Combined lead-ins. Used only key phrases in excerpt. Paraphrased (italics) to keep voice dominant. Improved word choice throughout.

(S) Salary is only one thing to look at. (L1) A study by the American Economic Group, said (E1) “consider the price of goods in relation to pay.” (L2) Jack Jones wrote in an article, (E2) “The average prices of goods have increased dramatically to a 15-year high and that, in the long-term, threatens to undermine any economic recovery that has been gained since the recession” (Jones 16). (D) This means that even if a worker has a job during and after a recession, the recession can make his money less to buy things like he was broke. Revised – less excerpted (S) However, salary is only part of the picture. (L) Jack Jones of the American Economic Group notes that the prices of goods matters as much as salary, especially when prices have risen to a (E1) “15-year high” and threaten to (E2) “undermine our economic recovery” (16). (D) Consequently, even if a worker is still employed during and after a recession, his buying power is seriously diminished by the recession.

Integration Style 1: Source Mid-Text; Built-in Development (S) The New York Times recently investigated claims that the economic recovery is nearly complete. (L1) Although some statistics show that (E1) “workers’ wages are on the rise since 2010” (L2) according to the policy director of the CATO Institute, (E2) “overall family income levels have been stagnant since 2007,” (D) thereby illustrating how with price increases, money is stretched thinner today than 10 years ago (qtd. in Richardson 30). Writer uses 2 lead-ins for two excerpts related to the same issue. Writer then explains the point the “qtd. in” is used in the citation because excerpts are making as part of the Richardson is quoting another source natural fluency of the sentence.

Integration Style 2: Author’s Name As economist Charles Bergman points out, “Recessions make people expect more from the government,” which explains why the government ironically spends more during a recession than during a boom (31). As economist Charles Bergman points out, “Recessions make people expect more from the government,” which explains why the government ironically spends more during a recession than during a boom (31). VS VS The government ironically spends more during a recession than during a boom because “Recessions make people expect more from the government,” as economist Charles Bergman concludes (31). The government ironically spends more during a recession than during a boom because “Recessions make people expect more from the government,” as economist Charles Bergman concludes (31).

Integration Style 3: Source by Title (S) The website EconomicsToday.com (L) describes the similarity between those who lack savings and those who gamble: (E) “Gamblers always think they’ll win big just like those who don’t save always expect the next paycheck” (“Bad Habits” 2-3). (D) Thus, there are many ways to think self-destructively about money which is especially dangerous in insecure economic times. Title of specific web page is cited in ( ) since there is no author. colon = sentence is set-up for a quote immediately after the word “gamble” because it’s going to “define” the similarity.