Introducing, Explaining, and Analyzing Quotations They Say, You Say Introducing, Explaining, and Analyzing Quotations

Hit-and Run-Quotations (what not to do) Susan Bordo writes about women and dieting. “Fiji is just one example. Until television was introduced in 1995, the islands had no reported cases of eating disorders. In 1998, three years after the programs from the United States and Britain began broadcasting there, 62% of the girls surveyed reported dieting” (Bordo). Bordo is right. Another point Bordo makes is that… What is wrong with the above quotation? (hint: there is more than one answer)

Avoiding Hit-and-Run Quotations Frame the quotation. Include a lead-in and signal phrase before the quotation and analysis after the quotation. Lead-in and signal phrase Quotation Analysis

Signal Phrases - Templates X states “not all steroids should be banned from sports” (X 21). As the prominent philosopher X puts it, “_________” (X 21). According to X “________________” (X 21). In her book __________, X maintains that “____________” (X 21). Writing in the journal _____________, X complains that “______” (X) X agrees when she writes, “___________” (X 21).

Explaining - Templates Basically, X is warning that the proposed solution will only make the problem worse. In other words, X believes _________________________. In making this comment, X urges us to ______________________. X is corroborating the age-old adage that ____________________. X’s point is that ___________________________. The essence of X’s argument is that __________________________.

Analyzing- Templates X matters/is important because ____________________________. Although X may seem trivial, it is crucial in today’s concern over _____________________________________________________. Ultimately, what is at stake here is_________________________. The discussion of X is in fact addressing the larger matter of __________________________________________________. Although X may seem of concern only to a small group of ___________________, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about _________________________________________.

Credits Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel K. Durst. "They Say / I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, with Readings. New York: W.W. Norton, 2017. Print.