Integrating Quotations Methods Three and Four Integrating Quotations
Why are quotations important? Quotations are an integral part of analytic writing. In the point, proof, explanation method, quotations are the foundation of each proof
Modern Language Association In English, we integrate and cite quotations using MLA (Modern Language Association) Referencing Many Arts disciplines in university will also use this Referencing Guide
In general, Quotations can never stand alone; you must introduce them Always follow a quotation/paraphrased proof with the page number in parentheses/brackets (if you are using more than one author, indicate the authors’ last names as well)
Make sure you provide CONTEXT For each quotation introduction it is important to provide some context Context helps the reader understand who is speaking (narrator or character) and what is happening at that point in the reading
Technical Tips The direct quotation should be in quotation marks Following the quotation, you must include brackets with the page number—the period goes after the brackets
Other Reminders If the quotation ends with a question mark or exclamation mark, keep this punctuation, but also put a period after the brackets
METHOD THREE: Integrating a quotation into a sentence A quotation can never stand alone One way to use a quotation is to integrate it into a sentence You may or may not need linking punctuation depending on the sentence Your sentence and quotation must flow together smoothly You may need to leave part of a quotation out and/or change a word or two to make this happen use … to indicate you have left out part of the text and [ ] to indicate a change
Examples: It is obvious Lord Capulet is angry with his nephew, Tybalt, when he calls him a “saucy boy…a princox” (1.5.83-86). Romeo shows he is putting the moves on Juliet when he smoothly describes his lips as “two blushing pilgrims, ready stand / To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5.95-96).
Special Rules when Quoting Shakespeare Instead of using a page number in your citation, note the act, scene and line(s) To show a new line use a slash If you quote dialogue between two or more characters in a play… set the quotation off from your text begin each part of the dialogue with the character’s name indented one tab type character names is capitals no need for a period after the citation
JULIET: Speakest thou from thy heart? Juliet clearly shows her distrust towards Nurse after she gives her advice: JULIET: Speakest thou from thy heart? NURSE: And from my soul too; Or else beshrew them both. JULIET: Amen! (3.5.228-229)
METHOD FOUR: Paraphrasing You may also paraphrase, or put examples in your own words, for proof You may choose to do this if there is a lengthy section of the text that describes an idea you want to use or if events happen over the course of several pages You MUST still provide a citation for these ideas
Example: Romeo demonstrates he is ecstatic about marrying Juliet and does not want to fight any Capulets through his kind words towards Tybalt, one of his enemies (3.1.61-71).