Embedding Quotations in a Sentence

Each piece of quoted material in a paragraph must have a transition that gives the context and background for that quote.

Embedding quotations using transition helps quoted material flow naturally and coherently into your paragraph.

While leaning over the bank, Lennie “drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse” (3). Example (transition is in bold): While leaning over the bank, Lennie “drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse” (3).

When written properly, the reader should not be able to hear where the quotation marks are when the sentence is read aloud.

A properly embedded quotation creates a seamless transition from the background information to the quoted material.

When done poorly, the transition is choppy, incomplete, and predictable.

Poor example: This is shown by “strong as a bull” (22).

The prior example does not make sense when read aloud. Every sentence in a paragraph must make sense, regardless of whether or not it contains quoted material.

You may need to change words within your quote so that the sentence is grammatically correct and is coherent.

When changing words in a sentence indicate the change by placing brackets [ ] around the change in the word or the changed word.

To omit words in the middle of a long quote, use ellipses (…)

Example: Steinbeck’s setting is peaceful, with “golden foothill slopes…and rocky Gabilan mountains” (1).

How to create a good transition into a quotation:

1) give background and context for all quoted material -- what is happening, who is speaking

2) only use the most important part of the quote (for a short paper, ideally less than 10 words)

3) read your sentence aloud--can you “hear” the quotation marks? You shouldn’t. 3) read your sentence aloud--can you “hear” the quotation marks? You shouldn’t.

4) change word tense if necessary, and omit unnecessary words and phrases; use ellipses and brackets to indicate your changes

Write a transition of your own using the following quote from page 64 in Of Mice and Men:

“He stood crying, his fist lost in Lennie’s paw” (64).