INCORPORATING QUOTES IN LITERARY WRITING SSS Method

Using Textual References (Examples)  Why do you need textual references in your essay?  In literary analysis you need to use text. ref. to support your thesis.  You can strengthen your argument by using text. ref. whenever and wherever they directly support a point.  In order to use text ref, you cannot just “throw” them into the paragraph; you must incorporate them correctly.

Using Textual References  SSS method of incorporating textual references  S = speaker or situation  S = support (textual reference/Quote)  S = Significance/Elaborate/Explain how your quote supports your topic sentence and your thesis

SSS Method Example: When Romeo breaks into the Capulet’s tomb to declare his unending love for Juliet, he states, “Death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty” (1094). Romeo’s love for Juliet runs so deeply that he is willing to risk his own life by breaking the law to verify the unfathomable news of her death. Shakespeare personifies death in this scene to convey the unwavering love Romeo has for Juliet, as even death does not skew her beauty in his eyes.

SSS Method Example: When Romeo decides to break into the Capulet’s tomb to see Juliet, and he explains how much he still lovers her, he states, “Death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty” (1094). Romeo’s love for Juliet runs so deeply that he is willing to break into her tomb to verify the unfathomable news of her death. Shakespeare personifies death in this scene to convey the unwavering love Romeo has for Juliet, as even death does not skew her beauty in his eyes.

SSS Method  Speaker – who is saying the quote, Spoken – who the speaker is speaking to, Situation – what is going on at the time the quote is being said  Support – your concrete detail to support your thesis  Significance – how the support proves your thesis

SSS SIGNIFICANCE  Do not say:  “The significance of this quote is…”  “This quote means…”  “This quote proves…”  Do say:  Jump right into your analysis by just explaining what the textual reference means  Your significance may be 1-2 sentences in length

SSS Example: Another example is when Juliet is about to kill herself, she states, “This is the sheath there rust, and let me die” (1098). Love affected Juliet’s decision because she killed herself out of her all consuming love for Romeo. Without Romeo, Juliet loses her will to live.

SSS Method  In order to have a fully developed body paragraph your paragraph should have the following: o Topic Sentence o SSS o Transition o SSS o Concluding Sentence (optional)

MLA Style  When using the name of the play, italicize the title.  Double space, 12 point - Times New Roman  Include a title – not the title of the play; that has been used already  Please use the correct MLA heading Your Name Ms. Johnson Honors English 9 31 October 2013

MLA Citations of Textual References  How do you cite quotations using MLA format?  For this particular essay, the only item you will need in your parenthesis is page numbers because all quotes are from the same source.  Punctuation comes AFTER the citation (parenthesis)  Exceptions – if the text ref ends with a question mark or exclamation point, include the punctuation and then place a period after the parenthesis

MLA Style  Include a header in the top right corner of your paper which includes your last name and the page number.  Use 1inch margins throughout the paper.