English 90 Prof. Yanover

Step 1: Think Think about what quotations and examples will support (show) your point rather than restate it. For example, below the underlined sentence is the point: Many characters in Jacob the Liar lie to get what they want. For example, Mischa lies to Rosa about Fayngold, Mischa’s roommate, telling her that Fayngold is deaf and dumb, so she will sleep with him. As reported by the narrator, Mischa believes his lie is justified as it is “to make her a little bit happy” (47). However, at the very least, it seems to make Mischa happy as well, and, in fact, he may be lying to himself about his motives for telling the lie, telling it not to benefit Rosa but simply to fulfill his own selfish desires. Another character who lies to get what he wants is....

Step 2: Placement Because the purpose of quotations is to support a point you’re making, quotations are most effective when placed in body paragraphs, which do the work of supporting the thesis.

Step 2 continued Also, because the purpose of quotations is to support your points/ideas, they belong in Step 2 of the Body Paragraph: 1. Point or Main Idea of the paragraph, 2. Support to prove the point with examples and details, A. Quotations are typically details 3. Explanation of the significance of the point in relation to the overall argument (thesis): how it proves and develops that argument—

Step 2 continued But there are also specific steps for integrating quotations: 1. Signal phrase with correct punctuation (a colon, a comma, or nothing depending on what is correct) 2. Quotation 3. In-text citation (the author’s last name and page number in parentheses), for example, (Becker 18) or just the page number if the author’s name has already been given (18). 4. Explanation

For example Referring back to the partial paragraph from before: As reported by the narrator, Mischa believes his lie is justified as it is “to make her a little bit happy” (47). However, at the very least, it seems to make Mischa happy as well, and, in fact, he may be lying to himself about his motives for telling the lie, telling it not to benefit Rosa but simply to fulfill his own selfish desires. Signal phrase: As reported by the narrator, Mischa believes his lie is justified as it is Quotation: “to make her a little bit happy” Citation (47). Explanation: However, at the very least, it seems to make Mischa happy as well, and, in fact, he may be lying to himself about his motives for telling the lie, telling it not to benefit Rosa but simply to fulfill his own selfish desires.

Avoid Dropped-in Quotations Sometimes referred to as floating or orphan quotations Make sure your punctuation leads into the quotation both in content and punctuation. Do not use a period or semicolon before quotations. Use a colon (:) before a quotation that is a complete sentence or sentences. Use a comma or no punctuation before a quotation that is partial sentence depending on what would be correct if there were no quotation marks.

Some Definitions A signal phrase is a phrase that leads up to and prepares for the quotation. Some signal phrases identify the source, its author, title, context or background; this type of signal phrase is generally called an attributive tag or attribution. Attributive tag: As reported by the narrator, Signal phrase: Mischa believes his lie is justified as it is

Types of Quotations A short quotation is under 4 full lines once typed into your essay. A long quotation is 4 full lines or more, again once typed into your essay. A partial quotation is a type of short quotation. It is a phrase or clause excerpted from the source that can be incorporated into your own sentence and syntax. The phrase“to make her a little bit happy” is an example of a partial quotation. A complete quotation is a complete sentence that can be introduced by your sentence, set off by a colon. Some short quotations are complete, and ALL long quotations are complete. For example: Right before telling us about Herschel’s death, the narrator seems momentarily distracted by his own painful memories: “I don’t know why, but at this moment I think of Hannah, executed in front of a tree whose name I don’t know” (116).