Embedding Quotations in a Sentence

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

As her only child, he is “the apple of his mother’s eye” (161). Example (transition is in red): As her only child, he is “the apple of his mother’s eye” (161).

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.

A quote should never stand alone as a sentence.

Take a look at this quote: Because of his love for his lady, Federigo lost all of his fortune. “And with the object of winning her love, he rode at the ring, tilted, gave sumptuous banquets, and distributed a large number of gifts, spending money without restraint whatsoever” (162). Because of his love for his lady, Federigo lost all of his fortune. “And with the object of winning her love, he rode at the ring, tilted, gave sumptuous banquets, and distributed a large number of gifts, spending money without restraint whatsoever” (162).

The prior example does not make sense when read aloud. Nothing connects the first sentence to the quote. Remember, a quote should not stand alone as a sentence.

Also, use present tense when discussing literature.

Now take at look at the new and improved quote: Because of his love for his lady, Federigo loses all of his fortune, “spending money without restraint whatsoever” (162).

Here’s a really icky example: Federigo was devastated when he learned that he could not give the lady the one thing she requested. “Federigo burst into tears in her presence before long being able to utter a single word in reply” (164). Federigo was devastated when he learned that he could not give the lady the one thing she requested. “Federigo burst into tears in her presence before long being able to utter a single word in reply” (164).

Here’s the new and improved embedded quote: Devastated when he learns that he can not give the lady the one thing she requests, “Federigo [bursts] into tears in her presence,” unable to “utter a single word in reply” (164).

Look at this example of an (uggh) unembedded quote: The lady’s brothers do not want her to marry Federigo, but the lady says he is the only one she will marry. “But I would sooner have a gentleman without riches, than riches without a gentleman” (164). The lady’s brothers do not want her to marry Federigo, but the lady says he is the only one she will marry. “But I would sooner have a gentleman without riches, than riches without a gentleman” (164).

Now look at this (yeah) embedded quote. Notice the use of single quotation marks to note a quote inside a quote: The lady’s brothers do not want her to marry Federigo, but she “ ‘would sooner have a gentleman without riches, than riches without a gentleman’ ” (164). The lady’s brothers do not want her to marry Federigo, but she “ ‘would sooner have a gentleman without riches, than riches without a gentleman’ ” (164).

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 (…)

Look at this unembedded yucky quote: She does not want to take advantage of Federigo. “At length her maternal instincts gained the upper hand, and she resolved, come what may, to satisfy the child by going in person to Federigo to collect the bird, and bring it back to him” (162). She does not want to take advantage of Federigo. “At length her maternal instincts gained the upper hand, and she resolved, come what may, to satisfy the child by going in person to Federigo to collect the bird, and bring it back to him” (162).

After using brackets to change verbs to present tense, and using ellipses to shorten the quote, the embedded quote looks like this: After using brackets to change verbs to present tense, and using ellipses to shorten the quote, the embedded quote looks like this:

Although she does not want to take advantage of Federigo, “her maternal instincts [gain] the upper hand, and she [resolves]… to [go] in person to Federigo to collect the bird” (162). Although she does not want to take advantage of Federigo, “her maternal instincts [gain] the upper hand, and she [resolves]… to [go] in person to Federigo to collect the bird” (162).

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.

4) Change verb tense if necessary, and omit unnecessary words and phrases; use ellipses and brackets to indicate your changes.

5) Stay in present tense.

6) Never have a direct quote standing by itself as a sentence.