1. Embedding Quotes To Cite Textual Evidence
“The Raven” Close Reading Essay

2. The Why…
This is an area we need to work on, based on our last few impromptu essays
SAT Writing- integrating strong evidence, knowing how to cite it, and understanding how to go about including analysis is important for success

3. Why use Quotes at all?
Paraphrasing just won’t do it justice sometimes, especially when you are looking at style/word choices. When writing a literary or rhetorical analysis, close reading, or book review, direct quotes are especially important.
*Note, even if you paraphrase, you still must cite!
To provide context for an intensive analysis of a short excerpt
Strengthen your argument with a credible source or specific evidence

4. Think ICE When quoting from a text, think ICE.
I- Introduction- All quotes need to be introduced with your own words. This is your lead-in sentence(s).
Provides context
Signals quote is coming
"Evidential" transition words help: "for instance," "for example," or "in fact"
C- Cite- Provide your quote, and cite it! Your quote should be …
Succinct
Directly relevant to point
Should not stand as its own sentence
E- Explain- Provide analysis that ties the quote back to your main idea/thesis sentence. In other words, comment on the evidence in order to incorporate it into the argument you’re making.
Moves reader from quote to your own point. Often LONGER than the quote.

5. A word about MLA format
MLA is the basic formatting style that many English courses use. When we all use MLA style, it makes our papers easier to read and understand, since people know what to expect and where to look for citations.
Quote format in MLA style:
Lead into quote, “Quote” (Author’s last name page#).
Ex: Later in his argument, he said, “ I say guilt, gentlemen, because it is guilt that motivated her” (Lee 271).
Irregularities:
-If a sentence ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, include that before the citation, within the quote.
Ex: Atticus asks the jury, “What did she do?” (Lee 272).
-If a source doesn’t have a page #, just include the author’s last name
Notice that there is not a comma or any other punctuation here! That goes after the citation.
When a sentence doesn’t end with a period, include the end punctuation within the quote. Be sure to place a period at the end of your sentence after the citation.

6. The Quote Sandwich
Another way to think about this is as a “quote sandwich.”

7. What’s Wrong with this quote?
Katy Perry’s word choice helps to support her confident tone. “Louder, louder than a lion” (Perry).
The quote stands alone as a sentence. It needs to blended into the introduction or with a transition word.
There is no analysis! Why does this quote prove that her word choice creates a confident tone?

8. A Better Example…
Introduction
Quote
Katy Perry’s word choice helps to support her confident tone. For example, in the chorus she sings, “louder, louder than a lion” (Perry). By writing that her voice is louder than a lion, she signals to listeners that she is powerful and confident, and won’t be stifled. The word “lion” has strong, positive connotations to most individuals, highlighting her inner strength.
Explanation

9. Let’s practice
With a partner, you will pick a random quote on a slip of paper. Each quote will include a claim that it is meant to proven, along with the author’s last name.
Together, you will have to correctly record this quote in ICE/Quote Sandwich format.
Record each element of the quote format, just as you saw in the last example- introduction, quote and citation, and explanation.
Final tip: Don’t leave your quotes to stand alone!