Embedding QuotationsMrs. Czyz – World Literature

SWBAT understand how to embed a quotation into their writing to prove the point of each paragraph.

What is the purpose?

• By embedding quotations the writing flows and is more concise.

• Un-embedded quotations = usually awkward and disrupt the flow of the writing. Often, the result is choppy writing and even run-on sentences.

• Embedded quotes is simply using only part of the quotation that you need and embedding, or placing that quote within the context of your own writing.

Why are quotes necessary?!

• It’s a sophisticated way to allow you, the writer, to use textual support in a purposeful manner.

• When you are writing you need QUOTES from the story to defend or prove your point.

• Quotes do not mean DIALOGUE; instead it is referring to any text in the story (the author’s words).

NEVER ASSUME…

• ALWAYS fully explain yourself. • NEVER assume your reader knows what you’re talking

about. • When you use a quote to make a connection or explain

your stance/opinion you HAVE TO explain how it’s connected - don’t just state it like fact. Defend it.

The Quote Sandwich

Top of the bun = Context

• The top of the bun is your introduction. Provide your reader with the context for the quote. What is going on in the story around this quote you’re about to introduce?

Middle of the sandwich

• The “meat and potatoes” (middle of the sandwich) = Your quote!

• This is the most important part. Make sure it’s a RELEVANT QUOTE that really explains your position.

Bottom of the bun = Analysis

• The Bottom of the Bun - After the quote you have to explain or ANALYZE the purpose of your quote. HOW does it prove your point?

Example…

• My Quote I am going to use: “It’s not a big thing, but I guess it’s true – big things are often just small things that are noticed.” (Zusak 221).

• My Goal: Need to create a sandwich, so I need to introduce it and analyze it.

• Example of Quote Sandwich: By the end of the story Ed has sent twelve messages. Some were harder to complete than others but the point is that he did what he never thought he could do. He realizes that some of the messages were not “…big thing[s], but [he] guess[es] it’s true – big things are often just small things that are noticed” (Zusak 221). When Ed has this realization it’s important to the greater message of the whole novel. It shows Ed and the reader that small things that we do in our lives can have huge effects on people and it can better our society. In this way, Ed has changed, and he has in fact become the message for us, the reader, instead of the messenger for the fictional characters in the story.

Citing your quotes…

• You saw in my example that there were parentheses after the quotation. This is your citation. These are necessary to avoid plagiarism.

• “…big thing[s], but [he] guess[es] it’s true – big things are often just small things that are noticed” (Zusak 221).

• The first time you quote the book in your essay your citation will look like this: (Author’s Last Name Page#).

• Each time after that that you cite the SAME BOOK, you only need the page #: (page #).

Why does the quote look funny?

• “…big thing[s], but [he] guess[es] it’s true – big things are often just small things that are noticed” (Zusak 221).

• The ellipsis (…) shows the reader that I (the writer) took out part of the quote. Remember – this fine to do to make the quote embed into your writing in a simpler way.

• The [brackets] mean you altered the word in some way. For instance, above, I changed I to he and guess to guesses. Any change you make goes in brackets.

Good Luck!!