Embedding Quotes
SUPPORTING YOUR ARGUMENTS WITH
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
Why do we use quotes?
 Embedding quotations is a sophisticated
way to use textual evidence to support your
argument.
• By citing evidence straight from the text,
your arguments immediately become
stronger—it proves to the reader that you
didn’t just dream up what you are saying;
your argument is based in the text.
What do we mean by embedded?
 Quotes should not just be randomly
inserted!

Chris McCandless was crazy. “He had a death wish.”
• “Embedded” means to be placed,
attached, or inserted, or lodged
into……So when we are using quotes
effectively, we need to embed them,
or deliberately work them into
our own writing.
For example
 Unembedded quotes are usually awkward and
disrupt the flow of writing. The result is choppy
writing, fragments, or run-on sentences.

Example: Chris McCandless was crazy for living the way he
did. He did not care if he lived or died. “If this adventure
proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again, I want you
to know you’re a great man” (Krakauer, 69).
Too choppy! The writer has not embedded the quote into
their own thoughts—it just stands alone, without a clear
connection to what the writer is arguing.
Improved…
 Chris McCandless was crazy for living the way he
did. He did not care if he lived or died on his
adventure, which was evident when he wrote in a
letter to Westerberg: “If this adventure proves fatal
and you don’t ever hear from me again, I want you to
know you’re a great man” (Krakauer, 69). This
shows the reader that Chris knew death was possible,
yet he still chose to live his unconventional lifestyle,
supporting the argument that he had a potential
death wish.
Which one is embedded?
 While unconventional, Chris McCandless’ choices did not
make him crazy. “…engaging in risky behavior is a right
of passage in our culture….McCandless, in his fashion,
merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (182).
 While unconventional, Chris McCandless’ choices did not
make him crazy. Chris was not unlike many teenagers
who are driven to take risks and do things others
disagree with. As Krakauer notes, ““…engaging in risky
behavior is a right of passage in our culture…
McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its
logical extreme” (182).
Which one is embedded?
 While unconventional, Chris McCandless’ choices did not
make him crazy. “…engaging in risky behavior is a right
of passage in our culture….McCandless, in his fashion,
merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (182).
 While unconventional, Chris McCandless’
choices did not make him crazy. Chris was not
unlike many teenagers who are driven to take
risks and do things others disagree with. As
Krakauer notes, “…enagaging in “…engaging in
risky behavior is a right of passage in our
culture….McCandless, in his fashion, merely
took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (182).
How do I make sure my quotes are embedded?
 You should never have a quotation standing alone as a
complete sentence, or worse, as an incomplete sentence in
your writing. It should always be surrounded by your own
words!
NO: Chris was noble because he lived out his beliefs.
“We just have to have the courage to turn against our
habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living”
YES: Chris was noble because he embraced a lifestyle
that allowed him to live out his beliefs. He explained
in a letter to Ronald Franz that he, too, could find the
happiness that Chris discovered, urging him to “have
the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and
engage in unconventional living.”
3 Ways to Embed Quotes
1. Begin with explanation before quote
1.
Even though Mrs. Wilmot appears to love her
children to the rest of the world, “when her children
were present, she always felt the center of her heart
go hard” (120).
2.
Begin with quote, then explain
1. “She always felt the center of her heart go hard”
demonstrates how Mrs. Wilmot appears to be a loving
mother to others, but inwardly feels little for her children
(120).
3.
Quote is inserted in middle of explanation
1. Mrs. Wilmot “always felt the center of her heart go hard”
when her children were present, but to the rest of the
world she appears to be a loving mother (120).
Practice
 On your paper, embed the following quote into a
sentence that explains what happens when Humpty
Dumpty fell off a wall. Remember, the quote CAN
NOT stand alone—it must be surrounded by your
explanation—embed it!

“All of the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put
Humpty together again.”
Your task
 Write a 1-2 paragraph argument, stating your
opinion on if Chris McCandless was crazy or noble.
You MUST embed two quotes to support your
argument!

Due tomorrow!