INCORPORATING QUOTES IN LITERARY WRITING SS(Q)S Method

Using Quotations  Why do you need quotes in your essay?  In literary analysis you need to use quotations to support your thesis.  You can strengthen your argument by using quotations whenever and wherever they directly support a point.  In order to use quotes, you cannot just “throw” your quotes into the paragraph; you must incorporate them correctly.

Using Quotations  SSS method of incorporating quotes  S = speaker  S = situation  (Q) = quote  S = Significance

SS(Q)S Method Example: When Romeo decides to break into the Capulet’s tomb to see Juliet, and he explains how much he still loves 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.

SS(Q)S 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.

SS(Q)S Method  Speaker – who is saying the quote  Situation – what is going on at the time the quote is being said  Quote – your concrete detail to support your thesis  Significance – how the quote proves your thesis

SS(Q)S 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 quote means  Your significance may be 1-2 sentences in length

SS(Q)S 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.

SS(Q)S 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.

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

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

Your Oedipus Prompt So far in the play has Oedipus been guided by fate or free will? Use specific example from the text to support your reasoning. Your paragraph should have:  Topic Sentence (Including TAG – title, author, genre)  TWO SSQS examples of textual evidence (two sentences of significance)  Concluding sentence (optional)

Outline  Topic Sentence with TAG In the drama Oedipus the King by Sophocles, Oedipus is guided by ___________.  1 st SSQS (MLA citation)  Transition plus 2 nd SS(Q)S (MLA citation) Example transitions – another example, additionally, in addition, etc.