World Literature Proper Quote Integration

Integrating Quotes

POWER

Be Strong

Ellipses When omitting words from within a single sentence, use only three ellipsis dots (... ). Three point ellipses have single typed spaces before and after each of the three dots: Incorrect: “water…had” Correct: “water... had.”

Brackets Use brackets to specify ambiguous pronouns within a quotation. Example: “ As revealed to me [Oedipus] by the Delphi oracle” (15).

Make Changes Quotations should fit into your argument. If punctuation, pronouns, or verb tenses do not flow with your own words, then paraphrase the quote or make minor changes to the quotation, surrounding them with brackets.

You Do the Work Do not rely on quotations to do the work for you. You must always follow a quotation or paraphrase with commentary. Never end a paragraph with a quotation.

Ways to introduce a quote: Introduce a quote with a complete sentence and a colon. Fitzgerald gives Nick a muted tribute to the hero: "Gatsby turned out all right at the end" (176).

Ways to introduce a quote: Use an introductory or explanatory phrase followed by a comma. Hester shows her sympathy for Dimmesdale when she tells him, “That old man! – the physician! – he whom they call Roger Chillingworth – he was my husband!” (371). 3.

Ways to introduce a quote: Make the quotation part of your own sentence without any punctuation between your words and the quote. This is a more advanced level of quote integration along the lines of AP expectations. While she used to think of this domestic scene as happy long ago, she now sees how dismal it was and counts it among "her ugliest remembrances” (122). * If you chose this option, you may have to change something in the original text to make the quote fit in your sentence. To do this place the change in brackets [ ].

Quote Integration Reminders The quote you are using should be relevant and illustrate your point. All quotes must be introduced, commented upon, and cited. Example: Hester Prynne commits the sin of adultery; however, her greatest sin was in initially marrying a man she did not love. Hester does not understand “how she could ever have been wrought upon to marry him! She deemed it her crime most to be repented of, that she had ever endured and reciprocated the lukewarm grasp of his hand…” (121). Although Hester was once able to conceive herself that she loved Chillingworth, she now realizes that it was only because she did not know true love. While she used to think of this domestic scene as happy long ago, she now sees how dismal it was and counts it among most awful memories.

Expanding on a quote Do’sDon’t Do write 2-3 sentences after the quote that ties it to the assertion you are making (commentary). Do expand on the quote. In some cases, just plopping a quote in is worse than not including one in the essay. It confuses the reader. When you explain a quote, your explanation should somehow refer back to your thesis. Don’t repeat exactly what the quote says. Don’t refer to a quote by saying “this quote shows.” Don’t simply move to the next point. If the quote is important enough to be in your essay, it is important enough to be discussed. Don’t narrate your essay. You should avoid saying things like “this quote is included to prove my thesis…” Don’t include two quotes in a row; your commentary should bridge the two.

Citing a Quote All citations should always be done in MLA format. The citations should be in parenthesis ( ). It should include the author (if writing about more than one work) and the page number. The period goes after the closing parenthesis.