How to Properly Use Quotes
It Starts with Knowing How to Use Quotations
There are Four Types of Quotations that Students Use
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The Bad:
The SLAP Quote: This is when you insert a quote from the text that has no prior context given. It figuratively SLAPS the reader in the face with no explanation as to why it’s there.
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Example:
In “Miss Brill,” the author shows through indirect characterization that the main character changes, which makes her a dynamic character. In the beginning of the story, Miss Brill is like a happy actress taking part in a Sunday play. “There were a number of people out this afternoon, far less than last Sunday, and the band sounded louder and gayer.” There is the band who play such beautiful music Miss Brill is deceived. “Miss Brill smoothed the newspaper as though it was a manuscript of her part.” Miss Brill is a perfect example of utter confusion.
Notice that this quote is SLAPPED in place with no context. The setting has not been introduced. Neither has the fact that Miss Brill IS NOT an actress. The quote is too long. And there is weak explanation or analysis of it.
The “He Says” Quote:
The “He Says” Quote is OK if used properly, but we want to move past this. It is a weak form of quoting.
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The He Says Quote: It is when you introduce a quote by writing an intro to it: “The author writes”… or “as mentioned in the essay…”
In Miss Brill, the author shows through characterization that the main character changes, which makes her a dynamic character. In the beginning of the story, Miss Brill is like a child, totally unaware of her role in her romanticized reality. She actually thinks that she is taking a part in a play. The author writes, “They were all on a stage, they weren’t the audience... They were acting” and “she was part of the performance.” Miss Brill is under the impression that beautiful music that band plays in the park is just another part of her play. She is deceived. She finally snaps out of her delusion when the young man says, “Why does she come at all? Who wants her.”
When a “He Says Quote” Goes Wrong
The writer tries to explain the quote by starting with a bad introduction of the quote
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For example:
The quote explains that...
What the author is saying in this quote…
The Example Quote
This is when you make a statement and then you follow that statement with a quotation from the text that provides an example of the statement that you wrote.
Your statement: “Quote.”
You HAVE TO USE A COLON.
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Example:
In “Miss Brill,” the author shows through characterization that the main character changes, which makes her a dynamic character. In the beginning of the story, Miss Brill is like a child, living in a made up fantasy in which her life is one big play. She, and everyone else at the park are the stars of the show: “They were all on a stage. They weren’t the audience…they were acting. Even she had a part.” This confusion leads to Miss Brill sitting next to a young couple who she mistakes as being the young heroes of the play: “They were beautifully dressed; they were in love. The hero and the heroine.” Unfortunately, Miss Brill romanticized view of reality is shattered when she overhears the hurtful and offensive words of her heroes.
The Integrated Quote
This is our goal!!!!
It is when you start a sentence with your own writing and you “integrate” three to seven words of a quote to finish your thought.
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Example:
In “Miss Brill,” the author shows through characterization that the main character changes, which makes her a dynamic character. In the beginning of the story, Miss Brill is like a child, living in a made up fantasy in which her life is one big play. She, and everyone else at the park are the stars of the show. She thinks that they “were all on a stage. They weren’t the audience…they were acting.” She and all of the visitors at the Jardins Publiques (a local park) are the main characters of a romantic stage production. This confusion leads to Miss Brill sitting next to a young couple who she mistakes as being the young heroes of the play: She notices that they “were beautifully dressed; they were in love. The hero and the heroine.” Unfortunately, Miss Brill romanticized view of reality is shattered when she overhears the hurtful and offensive words of her heroes. Miss Brill’s “eyes filled with tears” when she hears that they think that she should “keep her silly old mug at home.” She has been figuratively slapped into the reality of her life. She is not a beautiful actress. She is an old, very lonely woman, just like the worn fox fur that hangs around her neck.
How to set up a good paragraph
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