Using Quotations In Your Writing This is on my web-site (and Google Classroom)

1. Using Quotations In Your WritingThis is on my web-site (and Google Classroom) • When you copy text from a source, you are using a quotation. Quotations are also often referred to as passages, excerpts, etc. • Always begin or end a quotation at a logical start/stop point. (Usually start/end of a sentence) • There are rules you must follow when you use a quotation in your writing. Memorize them! • In English, we will use the rules of MLA format.

2. Using Quotations in Your Writing 10-2 • Learn the rules for MLA format. • Understand why you would want to use a quotation in your writing. • Learn to correctly incorporate quotations following a simple 3-step plan. • There is a document on Google-Classroom that explains the basics! • Plus, my web-site has lots of information. • Pay attention!

3. Using Quotations In Your Writing When you use a quotation in your writing, insert it as part of your own sentence. A comma or a colon should precede the direct quotation you are inserting. The quotation becomes part of a grammatically correct sentence that you write. NEVER JUST “PLUNK” OR “DROP” A QUOTATION INTO YOUR WRITING WITHOUT FIRST INTRODUCING IT. —SIGNAL CLAUSE

4. Be Grammatically Correct • When you use a quotation in your writing, insert it as part of your own sentence. A comma or a colon should precede the direct quotation you are using. It should be written as part of a grammatically correct sentence. • Signal Clause—these are the words you write that precede a quotation. Often it will be an independent clause ending with a colon. It introduces what is coming in the quotation You only have three grammatical options: • Write an independent clause that ends with a colon, then insert your quotation. • Correctly combine independent and dependent clauses using a comma. Either the quotation or your own words can be dependent/independent. • Make the quotation part of a grammatically correct sentence

5. Example #1 from the novel The Chrysalids—using a comma and making the quotation a part of an original sentence. (joining clauses***) At one point in the novel Uncle Axel states, “ ‘What makes man man is mind.’ ” (Wyndham 35). The single quotation marks inside the double quotation marks denote that this quotation is dialogue. [Notice that in this case the signal phrase is a dependent clause, joined to an independent clause] The quotation is an IC and the signal clause is a DC. **For Drama, you do not use single quotation marks because we already know it is dialogue.**

6. Example #2—using a colon and an independent signal clause. The quotation should be double spaced and double indented. (It is single spaced to fit this slide) Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers of all time. It is amazing that he was able to write so many plays, considering he wrote before the age of the typewriter and word processor: It’s hard to imagine, but Shakespeare wrote all his plays with a quill pen, a goose feather whose hard end had to be sharpened frequently. How many times did he scrape the dull end to a point with his knife, dip it into the inkwell, and bring it up, dripping wet, those wonderful words and ideas that are known all over the world? (Bevington 2)

7. Basic Format to Follow When Using quotations in Formal Writing Assignments: • Three Steps. • 1. Provide an introduction to your quotation to provide context (the circumstances in which an event occurs). This should be enough information so that the quotation will make sense to the reader and should flow logically with the rest of your writing. (Do not just insert the quotation into your writing.) • 2. Your quotation should be grammatically inserted into your writing. An independent clause ending with a colon or correctly combining DC and IC. • Once you have correctly inserted your quotation, the last step is to explain the purpose the quotation serves in your writing. Often, you will be using a quotation to help argue or prove a thesis. Be sure that you clearly explain the quotation and how it supports what you are arguing. • (see Inherit the Windexample)

8. GENERAL RULES: • Do not begin or end your writing with a quotation (or do so sparingly) • Quotations must be accurate and must be referenced with in-text citations*--which means you will also need a works cited page at the end of your paper • Prose Quotations • Note rules for quoting dialogue in drama* • Poetry quotations • Learn the rules for using single quotation marks vs double quotation marks

9. All My Sons— sample answer • This example will show how to use quotations when you are using a play (Act 1 All My Sons drama). • ENG 12--See class set of Stebbins boys answer.

10. If the quotation is less than four lines of your writing, put quotation marks around the quotation and include it in your writing. • If a quotation is four lines or more, double indent the quotation, but do not enclose it in quotation marks. Only use quotation marks that were in the original text. • If the quotation is more than one paragraph, treat it as a long quotation. Regular Prose Quotations

11. Purpose/Audience • Purpose: 1. provide a top-quality paragraph answer to a review question. 2. Make sure that an important quotation from the play is used to support the answer. 3. Use the MLA format guide on my web-site Audience: A very picky English teacher who has high expectations.

12. Written Answer Step one: Choose a question that will work for the assignment.(see your hand-out) Step two: Think about the correct answer and list all relevant supporting details. Then, choose a quotation that will enhance this answer. Step three: Organize your paragraph and write the first draft of the answer. (include a word count)

13. ICA (paragraph vs quotation use) • Choose an important quotation from any play we have read. • Determine if it is a long or short quotation. (over/under four line of writing) • Is there a change of speaker? Writing practice—Step one and two • Establish context for your quotation and write a signal phrase. One to three sentences. • Insert the quotation. Include a citation. • Think about how you would explain the quotation, if you were going to do step 3.

14. Your Draft • List all specific components/details of a great answer for the question. • Find a quotation (s) that will support and enhance this answer. • Begin your expository paragraph with a clear topic sentence. • Fully answer the question [while using the three steps for using quotations to insert a quotation (s)] in well organized paragraph*

15. Grammar • Don’t worry too much about grammar, spelling and punctuation as you work on your first drafts. • Editing should occur after you have organized and written a thorough answer. • Worry about Thought and Detail first.

16. FINAL DRAFT • Include the actual question • Clear topic sentence • Supporting information. This will lead your reader to a quotation (s) that improves the content of your answer. Ask yourself how the quotation improves the quality of your answer • Summary sentence • Works cited page Sample—Meeker question from Act 1