Writing Lesson #13: CECs: Introduction and Explanation of Quotes I am so excited! Junior English PPT by Guidorizzi

All About Quotes It’s like a sandwich! Quotes should be used throughout paper to prove argument  Should not take up more than quarter of paper  If you have too many quotes: Paper ceases to be your creation  It causes disjointed paper Ideas that have been quoted do not get set up or explanation they need Quotes should NEVER be selected at random – not filler  Quotes lend authority to paper  Finding a quote: Examine purpose Determine if quote will further argument What is its significance? Use CEC to ensure quote is prepared and explained  The quote is between top layer of explanation and bottom layer of interpretation It’s like a sandwich!

CEC Breakdown C = Claim (your argument) What do you intend to prove? State in a direct way and be concise (keep it simple!) E = Evidence (example) Prove your CLAIM Should only prove the main idea C = Commentary (explanation) Explains what your evidence has proven about your CLAIM in 1-2 sentences Tie to your thesis statement Tell your reader what you have learned Could move the reader beyond the main idea Should not repeat main idea word-for- word

CEC Claim: Top Layer Quote Sandwich will provide clarity to paper Transition between information you have written about Should flow easily into quote Offer context for quote Set up quote, so reader knows why quote is being used Might include who said it, when, and what is being discussed Could possibly include the source

Evidence: The Middle Put quote in middle (Yum Yum!) Quote is any words that are not your own Do not search for quotation marks in text Need to find a strong quote Must support thesis DO NOT choose random quote Needs to be integrated grammatically and structurally with surrounding text

Commentary: Bottom Layer Following quote, give interpretation of meaning (of the quote) Explain how it supports argument or point you were making in paragraph Move beyond the main idea Would you make a sandwich without a bottom slice??? NEVER! "Too few people understand a really good sandwich." James Beard

Example CEC The leadership role George Washington played achieved America’s independence and shaped its government. According to Washington, “First, he commanded the Continental Army that won American independence from Great Britain in the Revolutionary War. Second, Washington served as president of the convention that wrote the United States Constitution. Third, he was elected the first President of the United States” (72). Washington was the leading figure that brought America its freedom and established a new nation. He was an essential part in the fight for independence and, without him, the future of America would have been questionable and possibly a dream never realized.

Works Cited Owl at Purdue, The. 2009. The Writing Lab & The Owl at Purdue and Purdue University. Web.19 May 2009. UCLA: Office of Instructional Development. 2005. Teach 2 Write: A Guide for Teaching Writing. Web. 25 May 2009. Valencia Community College. 2006. Faculty FrontDoor at Valencia Community College. Web. 25 May 2009.