2.  Any time that you use words that are not YOUR words, you must tell your readers where you got the quote from.  I am asking for Direct Quotes that means you must copy the text WORD FOR WORD including punctuation.  When you copy text word for word, you put quotation marks around it. This lets the reader know that this is EXACTLY what the text said.

3.  Readers should be able to move from your own words to the words you quote without feeling a jolt  The lead-in links the quotation to what surrounds it in your paper.  It is called a DROPPED QUOTE when you just drop a quote into your paper without telling your readers where it is from.

4.  DO NOT DO THIS!!!!  Although the bald eagle is still listed as an endangered species, its ever- increasing population is very encouraging. “The bald eagle seems to have stabilized its population, at the very least, almost everywhere.” (Sheppard 96).

5.  1. Somebody said lead-in  2. Blended lead-in

6.  This is the most common lead-in. The author’s name, a character, or title of the book introduces the quote.  A comma is needed before or after the lead-in, depending on where it occurs.

7.  In the book, Nelson says, “It is really hard to be this amazing”(Nelson 99).  Mr. Gibson states, “I’ve never seen her acting like a ninja because she is that good” (Nelson 45)  “Ninjas Are Awesome” adds, “Nelson can levitate with the best of them” (99).  “You can try to be like me, but it would be impossible,” argues Nelson (22).

8.  This type of lead-in gives more flexibility to the writer. The writer chooses the part of the quote necessary for his paper and blends it smoothly into the rest of the sentence.  A comma is not generally needed in this type of lead in.

9.  Nelson, a well-known ninja, believes her “skills are higher than all others” (Nelson 23).  Mr. Gibson argues that “no one on earth can imagine the things she can do” (Nelson 13).  Even though Nelson is one of the top ninjas in the world, she “works daily” on her skills (Nelson 35).

10. QUOTATION “DOS”  Do use a comma for brief introductions.  As the animals recall, “there was a definite ruling against beds”(79). QUOTATION “DON’TS”  Don’t create fragments. Your quote, with its lead- in, must be a grammatically correct sentence.  Wrong: Terence says, “And I myself a sterling lad”(34).  Right: Terence calls himself “a sterling lad”(34).

11.  NOW YOU ARE A QUOTES AND LEAD-INS EXPERT!!!!