Embedding Quotations

A note about quotations Many students tend to overuse direct quotations in their essays. Direct quotations should be used only when paraphrasing would change the effectiveness or meaning of the author's words or when the author is a noted authority and the idea could not be better expressed or said more succinctly. A quotation does not explain, it illuminates.

Things to know about using quotations… A quotation cannot be a stand alone sentence when used in an essay. You should build the quotation into your own writing A quotation does not argue for you. You need to explain why it’s there.

Quotation: “That I, the son of a dear father murdered, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare III.ii.585-589).

Not Embedded and Crappy: Hamlet feels he has not acted boldly in his revenge. “That I, the son of a dear father murdered, / Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words / And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare III.ii.585-589). This quotation shows us that Hamlet feels he has not taken decisive action, despite having good reason.

Not Embedded and Crappy: Hamlet feels he has not acted boldly in his revenge. “That I, the son of a dear father murdered, / Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words / And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare III.ii.585-589). This quotation shows us that Hamlet feels he has not taken decisive action, despite having good reason. Problems 1. No context. 2. Quote not embedded (and maybe too long). 3. Explanation does not address quote directly. 4. Use of 1st person, plural

Step 1. Add Context Hamlet feels he has not acted boldly in his revenge. In his soliloquy at the end of the second act, he expresses shame that he has not gone far enough. “That I, the son of a dear father murdered, / Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words / And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare II.ii.585-589). This quotation shows us that Hamlet feels he has not taken decisive action, despite having good reason.

Step 2. Embed Quote Method One: Use entire line Hamlet feels he has not acted boldly in his revenge. In his soliloquy at the end of the second act, he expresses shame that he has not gone far enough: “That I, the son of a dear father murdered, / Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words / And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare II.ii.585-589). This quotation shows us that Hamlet feels he has not taken decisive action, despite having good reason.

Step 2. Embed Quote Method Two: Edit into your own words Step 2. Embed Quote Method Two: Edit into your own words. Hamlet feels he has not acted boldly in his revenge. In his soliloquy at the end of the second act, he expresses shame that he has not gone far enough, only able to “unpack my heart with words / And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare II.ii.585-589). This quotation shows us that Hamlet feels he has not taken decisive action, despite having good reason.

Step 3 and 4. Explain and Fix Hamlet feels he has not acted boldly enough in his revenge. In his soliloquy at the end of the second act, he expresses shame that he has not gone far enough, only able to “unpack [his] heart with words / And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare II.ii.585-589). In comparing himself to a prostitute, Hamlet shows how deeply he is ashamed at his cowardice.

Final Product

Final Product Hamlet feels he has not acted boldly enough in his revenge In his soliloquy at the end of the second act, he expresses shame that he has not gone far enough, only able to “unpack [his] heart with words / And fall a-cursing like a very drab” (Shakespeare II.ii.585-589). In comparing himself to a prostitute, Hamlet shows how deeply he is ashamed at his cowardice.