Integrating Quotations

English 90Prof. Yanover

Step 1: ThinkThink about what quotations and examples

will support (show) your point rather than restate it. For example, below the underlined sentence is the point: Many characters in Jacob the Liar lie to get what they want.

For example, Mischa lies to Rosa about Fayngold, Mischa’s roommate, telling her that Fayngold is deaf and dumb, so she will sleep with him. As reported by the narrator, Mischa believes his lie is justified as it is “to make her a little bit happy” (47). However, at the very least, it seems to make Mischa happy as well, and, in fact, he may be lying to himself about his motives for telling the lie, telling it not to benefit Rosa but simply to fulfill his own selfish desires. Another character who lies to get what he wants is . . . .

Step 2: PlacementBecause the purpose of quotations is to support a point you’re making, quotations are most effective when placed in body paragraphs, which do the work of supporting the thesis.

Step 2 continuedAlso, because the purpose of quotations is to support your points/ideas, they belong in Step 2 of the Body Paragraph:1. Point or Main Idea of the paragraph, 2. Support to prove the point with examples

and details, A. Quotations are typically details

3. Explanation of the significance of the point in relation to the overall argument (thesis): how it proves and develops that argument—

Step 2 continuedBut there are also specific steps for integrating quotations: 1. Signal phrase with correct punctuation (a

colon, a comma, or nothing depending on what is correct)

2. Quotation3. In-text citation (the author’s last name and

page number in parentheses), for example, (Becker 18) or just the page number if the author’s name has already been given (18).

4. Explanation

For exampleReferring back to the partial paragraph from before:

As reported by the narrator, Mischa believes his lie is justified as it is “to make her a little bit happy” (47). However, at the very least, it seems to make Mischa happy as well, and, in fact, he may be lying to himself about his motives for telling the lie, telling it not to benefit Rosa but simply to fulfill his own selfish desires.

Signal phrase: As reported by the narrator, Mischa believes his lie is justified as it is

Quotation: “to make her a little bit happy” Citation (47). Explanation: However, at the very least, it seems to make

Mischa happy as well, and, in fact, he may be lying to himself about his motives for telling the lie, telling it not to benefit Rosa but simply to fulfill his own selfish desires.

Avoid Dropped-in QuotationsSometimes referred to as floating or orphan

quotationsMake sure your punctuation leads into the

quotation both in content and punctuation.Do not use a period or semicolon before quotations.Use a colon (:) before a quotation that is a complete

sentence or sentences.Use a comma or no punctuation before a quotation

that is partial sentence depending on what would be correct if there were no quotation marks.

Some DefinitionsA signal phrase is a phrase that leads up to

and prepares for the quotation. Some signal phrases identify the source, its

author, title, context or background; this type of signal phrase is generally called an attributive tag or attribution. Attributive tag: As reported by the narrator, Signal phrase: Mischa believes his lie is

justified as it is

Types of QuotationsA short quotation is under 4 full lines once typed into your essay.A long quotation is 4 full lines or more, again once typed into your

essay.A partial quotation is a type of short quotation. It is a phrase or

clause excerpted from the source that can be incorporated into your own sentence and syntax. The phrase“to make her a little bit happy” is an example of a

partial quotation.A complete quotation is a complete sentence that can be

introduced by your sentence, set off by a colon. Some short quotations are complete, and ALL long quotations are complete. For example:Right before telling us about Herschel’s death, the narrator seems

momentarily distracted by his own painful memories: “I don’t know why, but at this moment I think of Hannah, executed in front of a tree whose name I don’t know” (116).