INCORPORATING QUOTES IN
LITERARY WRITING
SS(Q)S Method
Using Quotations
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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
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SSQS 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
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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…”
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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
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In order to have a fully developed body
paragraph your paragraph should have the
following:
o
o
o
o
o
Topic Sentence
SS(Q)S
Transition
SS(Q)S
Concluding Sentence (optional)
Shakespeare displays the love the two characters have for
each other throughout the play. 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.
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.
MLA Style
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When using the name of the novel/play, italicize the
title.
Double space, 12 point - Times New Roman
Include a title – not the title of the work; that has
been used already
Please use the correct MLA heading
Your Name
Mrs. Ward
?th period English II
25 August 2014
MLA Citations of Quotations
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How do you cite quotations using MLA format?
For this particular essay, the only item you will need
in your parenthesis is page 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
MLA Style
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Include a header in the top right corner of your
paper which includes your last name and the page
number.
Use 1inch margins throughout the paper.