Correctly Integrating Quotations

Every quotation should have a reference that indicates where you got it. “I shall not see on earth a place more dear” Author: Page: Line #: Homer (See page of A Pocket Style Manual)

Anytime you quote something, you need to give the author’s name and the page number the quotation can be found on. Example- Potok 78 NO PAGE (See page of A Pocket Style Manual)

If you are quoting poetry, use the line number instead of the page number. Example- Homer lines Type line or lines so readers know you are not referring to the page number (See page of A Pocket Style Manual)

The author’s last name and page number go after the quotation inside of parentheses. This is called the QUO-PAR-PUNC rule. “I shall not see on earth a place more dear” (Homer line 137). QUO= quotation PAR= parentheses PUNC= punctuation (See page of A Pocket Style Manual)

Never leave a quotation naked!

You wouldn’t wear clothes that only cover up the front- side or the back-side of your body, so don’t leave your quotation half naked either.

“I shall not see on earth a place more dear” (Homer line 137). Odysseus speaks to Alcinous’ court about his homeland in Ithaca, recalling, Thus, he demonstrates the Greek value of loyalty to one’s homeland.

Clothe the Front There are two ways to begin a sentence that includes a quotation. 1.Use a signal phrase. 2.Integrate the author’s words into your own writing.

Signal Phrases A signal phrase indicates that you are about to use language that is not your own.

Signal Phrases If you do not show that these are not your own words it is PLAGERISM!

Signal Phrases Example: Polyphemus says of Odysseus, (See page 120 of A Pocket Style Manual for a list of verbs to use in signal phrases)

Example 1 Revise: Odysseus shows that he is an epic hero in the Cyclops episode, “I would not heed them in my glorying spirit,/ but let my anger flare…” (Homer lines ).

WARNING Just adding a quotation to the end of a related sentence does not mean that you have used a signal phrase.

Example 1 Fixed: Odysseus reveals that he desires the credit for his deeds, saying, “I would not heed them in my glorying spirit,/ but let my anger flare…” (Homer lines ).

Be sure that you do not confuse the author, Homer, with the narrator, who is sometimes Homer, sometimes Odysseus.

Example 2 Revise: Homer shows that Odysseus is an epic hero by saying, “I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships…” (line 211).

Example 2 Fixed: Odysseus shows his loyalty to his homeland by forcing his men to continue on their journey. He explains, “I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships…” (line 211).

Example 3 Revise: Odysseus cleverly deceives the Cyclops. “My name is Nohbody…” (Homer line 360).

Example 3 Fixed: Odysseus cleverly deceives the Cyclops, declaring, “My name is Nohbody…” (Homer line 360).

Example 4 Revise: “…make fair sacrifice to Lord Poseidon” (Homer line 650). With these words, Teiresias helps Odysseus to see that it has been his pride that has kept him from returning home, and he must admit his mistake to Poseidon in order to right the situation.

Example 4 Fixed: Teiresias confirms that Odysseus’ pride has kept him from Ithaca, commanding him, “…make fair sacrifice to Lord Poseidon” (Homer line 650). Thus Teiresias reveals that the only way for Odysseus to reestablish right standing with the gods is to finally acknowledge Poseidon’s help in the Trojan War.

Signal phrases must introduce your quote. You are not writing a mystery story—don’t make the reader guess where your quote came from.

Integrate the Author’s Words If you choose to incorporate the author’s words into your sentence, the result must be grammatically correct.

Example 5 Revise: Odysseus’ sacrifice to Poseidon is the last task he must accomplish before his world is set right again, “Then a seaborne death/ soft as this hand of mist will come upon you/ when you are wearied out with rich old age” (Homer lines ).

Example 5 Fixed: Odysseus’ sacrifice to Poseidon is the last task he must accomplish before a peaceful “seaborne death/ soft as this hand of mist will come upon [him]” (Homer lines ).

Example 6 Revise: The sirens tempt Odysseus, “The voices in ardor appealing over the water” (Homer 752).

Example 6 Fixed: The sirens’ “voices in ardor appealing over the water” (Homer 752) tempt Odysseus, leading him to beg his men to be untied.

Clothe the Back You must explain the significance of every quote in your paper.

Example 7 Revise: The sirens’ “voices in ardor appealing over the water” (Homer 752) tempt Odysseus, leading him to beg his men to be untied.

Example 7 Fixed: The sirens’ “voices in ardor appealing over the water” (Homer 752) tempt Odysseus, leading him to beg his men to be untied. As an epic hero, Odysseus never fails to succumb to temptation by women, even that of the monstrous sirens.

Example 8 Odysseus’ sacrifice to Poseidon is the last task he must accomplish before a peaceful “seaborne death/ soft as this hand of mist will come upon [him]” (Homer lines ). In this way, Odysseus finally accomplishes his goal of returning home to live happily in Ithaca with his family.

Do Not Refer to the Quotation Other than naked quotations, the most common mistake is referring directly to the quotation.

Do Not Refer to the Quotation Teiresias predicts the end of Odysseus’ life in the quote: “seaborne death/ soft as this hand of mist will come upon [him]” (Homer lines ).

Do Not Refer to the Quotation Odysseus cleverly deceives the Cyclops, declaring, “My name is Nohbody…” (Homer line 360). This quotation reveals that Odysseus uses intelligence in situations wherein strength is not an option.

For Future Reference… Quote is a verb Quotation is a noun