Introducing Evidence, Source Information, and Quotations – MLA for Poetry
Person-related lead-ins:
Person’s name followed by a present-tense verb (the person can be the author (which is most common), a narrator, a
character, etc., depending on who is talking):
Here are just a few:
mentions
states
reveals
claims
explains
believes
allows
utters
critiques
asserts
demands
urges
requests
recalls
begins
remembers
explicates
declares
offers
describes
posits
argues
proves
presents
articulates
holds
contends
focuses
notes
Example: Sir Gawain claims, “I am the weakest of them, I know, and the dullest-minded, / So my death would be least
loss, if truth should be told" (Sir Gawain 354-355).
Time-related lead-ins:
Describe what is occurring at the time; these are words that begin introductory phrases, which means you need a comma.
When
As
During
Since
Before
Once
After
While
Example: After Sir Gawain volunteers, the Green Knight challenges, “Take up your fearsome weapon / And let’s see how
you smite” (Sir Gawain 413-414).
Colon-related lead-ins (these should not be used too commonly):
Provide a complete sentence, explaining who is talking and what is being discussed, and place a colon after the sentence.
Sir Gawain departs for the Green Chapel with an almost fiery eagerness: “He set spurs to his horse and sprang on his way
/ So vigorously that sparks flew up from the stones” (Sir Gawain 670-671).
Imbedded Quotations:
Integrate the central portion of the quotation with your own words.
Recognizing that Sir Gawain’s “fame exceeds any other person’s on earth,” the men of the castle welcome him with much
joy (Sir Gawain 914).
Words Typically Used in Interpretation
seems
proves
shows
suggests
The fact that
gives the impression
implies
demonstrates
brings to mind
verifies
indicates
illustrates
One can infer that
confirms
establishes
stresses
emphasizes
Verbs Used in Rhetorical Analysis
The author includes ______________ to show
The author’s use of _______________ demonstrates
The author uses __________________ to highlight
The author incorporates ____________ to illustrate
The author employs______________ to prove
© Jalaine Weller, 2015.