Punctuating Quotations

Punctuating Quotations Citing Literature

Standard ELACC8RI1/ELACCRL1: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. ELACC8W9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. ELACC8L1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Punctuation

Literary Analysis • This year, we will begin analyzing literature and informational pieces. • When we write about literature or informational texts, we must provide evidence from the text to back up what we are saying. • Use quotations from the writing as your evidence.

Sample Sampson is very careful not to let his friends see that he tries in school. “When the other kids in class happened to see a good grade on a test paper that was handed back to Sampson, he would tell them he had cheated on it instead of admitting he had studied” (Draper 61). He explains his actions by stating, “Making good grades could destroy a kid. High marks could open you to ridicule, to name-calling, to being made an outsider” (Draper 65).

Parts of a quote • When you write quotations, you need: explanatory words, a direct quotation, commas, quotation marks, and end marks. CommaQuotation Marks • Parts: Meyers says, “I danced by myself.” Explanatory Words Quote End Marks

Direct Quotation Direct Quotations are records of the author’s exact words. You must report exactly what the author says. You must cite the quotation!

Citation • When reporting or paraphrasing an author’s words you must cite the quotation. • If you don’t mention the author’s name, you write the author’s last name and pg. # in parentheses Example: “Each of us is born with a history already in place” (Meyers 1).

Citations • If you DO mention the author’s name in the sentence, just put the page number. Example: Meyers says, “Each of us is born with a history already in place” (1).

If the explanatory words come first: • Pattern: Explanatory words, “Quotation” (citation). Ex. Draper says, “They didn’t need much reason to fight” (68).

If the explanatory words come last: • Pattern: “Quotation,” explanatory words (citation). Ex. “They didn’t need much reason to fight,” explains Draper (68).

If the explanatory words are in the middle: • Pattern: “Quotation,” explanatory words, “quotation” (citation). Ex. “The book hit her in the shoulder,” says Meyers, “and she screamed” (31).

What if the explanatory words come between 2 separate sentence? Treat it as separate quotes. Ex. “I didn’t put it down,” he said. “I threw it” (Meyers 31).

Indirect Quote • Indirect quotations are restatements or summaries or paraphrasing of what someone has said. They are introduced with the word “that” • Indirect Quote: Meyers says that he likes books and reading (46). • Direct Quote: “I realized I liked books, and I liked reading,” Meyers says (46).

Punctuating Quotations