Lesson 4: Adding Quotes into a Paragraph 2  Seamlessly adding quotations to your own writing takes practice. Knowing when and how to insert quotes effectively is an important skill. The most important thing to remember whenever you use a quote is that the quote is supposed to SUPPORT what you saying, not take over. In other words, the focus of your essay is what YOU have to say about the topic, not what the experts or authors you are quoting have to say about the topic.  In order to effectively add quotations into a paragraph, you need to follow this pattern: Make Your PointPoint = topic sentence Give Some ContextContext = background and author Quotation Give an ExplanationExplanation = discussion of quote

Lesson 4: Adding Quotes into a Paragraph 2  Let’s look at the pattern in an example: Texting and driving is a dangerous practice. Accidents related to distracted driving have increased dramatically since the invention of texting. According to The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute “text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.” This statistic makes it clear that texting behind the wheel is a crazy idea.  Point = Texting and driving is a dangerous practice.  Context = Accidents related to distracted driving have increased dramatically since the invention of texting. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute  Quote = “text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.”  Explanation = This statistic makes it clear that texting behind the wheel is a crazy idea.

Instructions: Using the above pattern, incorporate the two quotes into a paragraph of your own writing. 1. Quote #1 Point: It is important for all Americans to be involved in politics. Context: Mahatma Gandhi was the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women’s rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending the India practice of untouchability. Quote: “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” –Mahatma Gandhi Explanation: You decide 2. Quote #2 Point: Kindness is essential to solving problems and understanding those that are different from us. Context: You choose (if you need help, think of an incident in your life or from recent events that you can discuss here). Quote: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” –Mark Twain Explanation: You decide

Lesson 4: Adding Quotes into a Paragraph 2 Example Answers 1. It is crucial to the survival of our democracy that all Americans be more involved in politics. For too long, political decisions have been influenced by the interests of lobbyists and big business rather than by what is best for the American people. The American people as a whole have become apathetic toward the political system. If we do not change the tide, we risk the destruction of our democracy. There are many examples from history and literature of republics that have destroyed themselves through apathy. However, there are also examples of how the influence of one person can create a chain reaction of change. Mahatma Gandhi was one such person. Gandhi was a fierce fighter for Indian independence from Britain, but strongly believed in a non-violent approach to that independence. Speaking of peculiar, non-violent approach to revolution, Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” He strongly believed that in order to change the world, you first had to change yourself. Gandhi also strongly believed that for change to happen, people must speak up and be involved. In the end, his voice and leadership led to Indian independence.

Lesson 4: Adding Quotes into a Paragraph 2 Example Answers 2. Kindness is so important when it comes to solving problems and understanding those that are different from us. There are many examples in literature of how both kindness and cruelty can have a ripple effect on others. One of the best examples of this ripple effect is the novel, Holes. In this story, the protagonist sees both kindness and cruelty from those around him. The characters in this story beautifully illustrate the human tendency to pass on the kindness, or cruelty, that we experience. This cruelty by some characters is passed on for generations to come, while the kind acts of one person are able to stop the cruelty in its tracks. Mark Twain once said, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” You may not think that kindness is powerful because it is so subtle. But kindness has a far stronger affect on people than cruelty every will. Kindness can help us understand, forgive, empathize, and listen. And in the end, those qualities create far more lasting change then shouting, fighting, and cruelty ever will.