Quote Integration 3 Ways to Write a Quote into Your Text

Quote Integration Reminders  The quote you are using should be relevant and illustrate your point.  All quotes must be  introduced  cited  expanded on (explained)

1. Using a colon – a dot over a dot : How to use it Set up the quote and then present it as proof of what you have just said. Analogy: In court, a lawyer might make a statement, but to prove it, he points to the evidence, which supports and proves the statement he made. Key Question Can the phrase before the quote stand on its own as a sentence? - If yes, then put a colon before the quote.

Example 1  Boxer naively believes everything that Napoleon says: “Napoleon is always right” (51). This phrase can stand on its own as a sentence. Colon Quote

2. Using no punctuation How to use it You can mold the author’s words in as if they are your own. In this case, you’ll probably be summarizing or paraphrasing the story and at some point decide that the writer’s words are better than yours – so you use them instead! Key Question If you took away the quotation marks, would you put any punctuation in that spot? -If no, then you still don’t need any. -Just let the quotation marks sit there to mark which words are not yours.

2 – Using no punctuation  You may have to change something in the original text to make the quote fit in your sentence.  To do this place the change in brackets [].

Example 2  Boxer naively believes that “Napoleon is always right” (20). No punctuation!

3. Using a comma, How to use it  You can introduce the quote with an introductory phrase that leads into the author’s phrasing. Or, you can begin a sentence with a quote and attach a phrase at the end. - Analogy: This might feel like you are writing a piece of dialog for a story. Key Question Can the phrase before (or after) the quote stand on its own as a sentence? - If no, then lead into it or out of it with a comma.

Example 3  When Squealer says that “Beasts of England” was abolished, “the animals were taken aback” (78). This phrase could not be a sentence by itself. Comma Quote

Example 3 Continued  Boxer voices, “Napoleon is always right” (51). This phrase could not be a sentence by itself. Comma Quote

But – how do I punctuate the end and the page number?  Rule 1:  Reference page #s in parentheses.  Rule 2:  Do NOT put “p.” or any other abbreviation.  Rule 3:  Put the period OUTSIDE the parentheses and the quotation marks.

Punctuation Example  Boxer naively believes that “Napoleon is always right” (20). 1.Page # is in parenthesis 2.No abbreviation for page is given 3. Period is outside of parenthesis.

Expanding on a quote DoDon’t  Write 2-3 sentences after the quote that ties it to the assertion you are making.  Refer back to a quote by repeating part of the quote.  Expand on the quote. Sometimes, just plopping a quote in is worse than not including one in the essay. It confuses the reader.  Refer back to your thesis when explaining the quote.  Repeat what the quote says.  Refer to a quote by saying “this quote shows.”  Simply move to the next point. If the quote is important enough to be in your essay, it is important enough to be discussed.  Narrate your essay. Avoid saying things like “this quote is included to prove my thesis.”

Application – Night DIRECTIONS: Integrate the following quotes into your own sentence(s) that explains their meaning. Try each method at least once. *Only use what you need! 1. “Physically, he was as awkward as a clown” (Wiesel 3). 2. “’Why do you pray?’” (Wiesel 4). 3. “The ghetto was ruled by neither German nor Jew; it was ruled by illusion” (Wiesel 12). 4. “if someone managed to escape, that person would be shot” (Wiesel 22).