Supporting your arguments with textual evidence Embedding Quotes Supporting your arguments with textual evidence

Why do we use quotes? Embedding quotations is a sophisticated way to use textual evidence to support your argument. By citing evidence straight from the text, your arguments immediately become stronger—it proves to the reader that you didn’t just dream up what you are saying; your argument is based in the text.

What do we mean by embedded? Quotes should not just be randomly inserted! Chris McCandless was crazy. “He had a death wish.” “Embedded” means to be placed, attached, or inserted, or lodged into……So when we are using quotes effectively, we need to embed them, or deliberately work them into our own writing.

For example Unembedded quotes are usually awkward and disrupt the flow of writing. The result is choppy writing, fragments, or run-on sentences. Example: Chris McCandless was crazy for living the way he did. He did not care if he lived or died. “If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again, I want you to know you’re a great man” (Krakauer, 69). Too choppy! The writer has not embedded the quote into their own thoughts—it just stands alone, without a clear connection to what the writer is arguing.

Improved… Chris McCandless was crazy for living the way he did. He did not care if he lived or died on his adventure, which was evident when he wrote in a letter to Westerberg: “If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again, I want you to know you’re a great man” (Krakauer, 69). This shows the reader that Chris knew death was possible, yet he still chose to live his unconventional lifestyle, supporting the argument that he had a potential death wish.

Which one is embedded? While unconventional, Chris McCandless’ choices did not make him crazy. “…engaging in risky behavior is a right of passage in our culture….McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (182). While unconventional, Chris McCandless’ choices did not make him crazy. Chris was not unlike many teenagers who are driven to take risks and do things others disagree with. As Krakauer notes, ““…engaging in risky behavior is a right of passage in our culture… McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (182).

Which one is embedded? While unconventional, Chris McCandless’ choices did not make him crazy. “…engaging in risky behavior is a right of passage in our culture….McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (182). While unconventional, Chris McCandless’ choices did not make him crazy. Chris was not unlike many teenagers who are driven to take risks and do things others disagree with. As Krakauer notes, “…enagaging in “…engaging in risky behavior is a right of passage in our culture….McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (182).

How do I make sure my quotes are embedded? You should never have a quotation standing alone as a complete sentence, or worse, as an incomplete sentence in your writing. It should always be surrounded by your own words! NO: Chris was noble because he lived out his beliefs. “We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living” YES: Chris was noble because he embraced a lifestyle that allowed him to live out his beliefs. He explained in a letter to Ronald Franz that he, too, could find the happiness that Chris discovered, urging him to “have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living.”

3 Ways to Embed Quotes Begin with explanation before quote Even though Mrs. Wilmot appears to love her children to the rest of the world, “when her children were present, she always felt the center of her heart go hard” (120). Begin with quote, then explain “She always felt the center of her heart go hard” demonstrates how Mrs. Wilmot appears to be a loving mother to others, but inwardly feels little for her children (120). Quote is inserted in middle of explanation Mrs. Wilmot “always felt the center of her heart go hard” when her children were present, but to the rest of the world she appears to be a loving mother (120).

Practice On your paper, embed the following quote into a sentence that explains what happens when Humpty Dumpty fell off a wall. Remember, the quote CAN NOT stand alone—it must be surrounded by your explanation—embed it! “All of the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put Humpty together again.”

Your task Write a 1-2 paragraph argument, stating your opinion on if Chris McCandless was crazy or noble. You MUST embed two quotes to support your argument! Due tomorrow!