Embedding Quotations in a Sentence

Each piece of quoted material in a paragraph must have a transition that gives the context and background for that quote.

Embedding quotations using a transition helps quoted material flow naturally and coherently into your paragraph.

While Capulet does not understand Tybalt’s rage over Romeo’s presence at the party, Tybalt feels “it fits when such a villain is a guest” (1:5). Example (transition is in bold): While Capulet does not understand Tybalt’s rage over Romeo’s presence at the party, Tybalt feels “it fits when such a villain is a guest” (1:5).

When written properly, the reader should not be able to hear where the quotation marks are when the sentence is read aloud.

A properly embedded quotation creates a seamless transition from the background information to the quoted material.

When done poorly, the transition is choppy, incomplete, and predictable.

Poor example: Romeo is worried about going to the party. “Some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date” (1:4).

The prior example does not make sense when read aloud. Every sentence in a paragraph must make sense, regardless of whether or not it contains quoted material.

You may need to change words within your quote so that the sentence is grammatically correct and is coherent.

When changing words in a sentence indicate the change by placing brackets [ ] around the change in the word or the changed word.

To omit words in the middle of a long quote, use ellipses (…)

When Lady Capulet approaches Juliet with the idea of marriage, Juliet reveals that “it is an honor [she dreams] not of” (1:3).

Example: When Romeo first sees Juliet, he wonders,“did my heart love till now? [... ] For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1:5).

Notice, anytime you change or add something in a quote, you must use a bracket to indicate your change. In this case, a piece of the original line 59 is omitted and is represented by […].

The other part of the line “Forswear it, sight” is omitted because it does not add to the readers understanding of Romeo’s feelings, and is therefore unnecessary information.

How to create a good transition into a quotation:

1. Give background and context for all quoted material -- what is happening, who is speaking

2. Only use the most important part of the quote (for a short paper, ideally less than 10 words).

3. Read your sentence aloud--can you “hear” the quotation marks? You shouldn’t. 3. Read your sentence aloud--can you “hear” the quotation marks? You shouldn’t.

4. Change word tense if necessary, and omit unnecessary words and phrases; use ellipses and brackets to indicate your changes.