1. Essay structure Using Quotations from Shakespeare
Exam Prep
Essay structure
Using Quotations from Shakespeare

2. Four Paragraphs Introduction Body Paragraph #1: Body Paragraph #2:
Topic Sentence
Specific examples and Quotations
Concluding Sentence
Body Paragraph #2:
As above
Conclusion

3. Reminders Present tense Formal language Third Person
Avoid cliches, slang, colloquial language
Avoid contractions (use “do not” instead of “don’t”)
Third Person
Transition words and phrases

4. Using Direct Quotations
Integrate the quotation into your own sentence.
Cite your source inside round brackets ( )
Punctuate carefully
Example: Prince Escalus refers to the Capulets and Montagues as “rebellious subjects” and “enemies to peace” who are acting like “beasts” ( ).

5. Using Direct Quotations
Quotation must appear exactly as it is worded, spelled and punctuated in the original.
Omit words in the middle by inserting an ellipsis (…)
Your sentence must still be grammatically complete.
Example: Friar Laurence believes “this alliance may…turn your [the two families’] households’ rancour to pure love”( ).

6. Using Direct Quotations
Use double quotation marks for a short quotation (three or fewer lines of verse)
Use a slash (with a space on either side) to show the end of the line of verse in a short quotation.
Example: Initially Juliet feels that she and Romeo are moving too quickly. She tells him that she feels “no joy of this contract tonight. / It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden”( ).

7. Using Direct Quotations
Use quotations to prove the point, NOT to retell the plot.
DO NOT example: Romeo finally decides he will no longer be a victim of fate. He visits an “apothecary” to buy poison, because he refuses to live without Juliet (5.1.58).
BETTER example: Romeo’s attitude toward fate finally changes when he cries out, “Then I defy you stars!”(5.1.24). He then visits an apothecary to buy poison because he refuses to accept his fate: life without Juliet.
Proof of his attitude toward fate

8. Using Direct Quotations
Long quotations (verse longer than 3 lines or prose longer than 4 lines):
Indent and quote passage exactly as it appears in the original.
No quotation marks
Place end punctuation before that citation.

9. Quoting Dialogue:

10. Improving Analysis
The point, proof (with context), explanation and link give you opportunity to ANALYSE the text.
Provide context:
Who? What? When? Where?
The people/ events/ timing that surround the evidence.

11. Improving Analysis 2. Explain: What does the evidence mean?
Do I need to explain anything about it so my reader understands it before I comment on its importance?

12. Improving Analysis 3. Make Links: Ask “So what?”
How is my evidence important to my point and thesis?
Why is my evidence important to my point and thesis?
What does my evidence show?