Examples of Good Quote Integration
1. The broken clock “took this moment to tilt dangerously at the
pressure of his [Gatsby’s] head” (Fitzgerald 86).
2. Daisy expresses the theme that people spend their lives
waiting for something only to miss it when she discusses the
seasons with Nick: “‘I always wait for the longest day in the
year and then miss it’” (Fitzgerald 11).
3. Nick first introduces the important symbol of the green light
when he writes, “I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing
except a single green light” (Fitzgerald 21).
4. Nick tells the reader that the book was written in the West
when he writes, “I came back from the East last autumn,” which
establishes the symbolic contrast between the East and the West
(Fitzgerald 2).
Integrating Quotes Quick Guide
• Introduce the speaker or writer of the quote--use a comma.
ex. Nick first introduces the important symbol of the green light when he writes,
“I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single green light” (Fitzgerald
21).
• Roll the quote into your own sentence.
ex. The broken clock “took this moment to tilt dangerously at the pressure of his
[Gatsby’s] head” (Fitzgerald 86).
• Introduce the quote with a complete sentence--use a colon.
ex. Daisy expresses the theme that people spend their lives waiting for
something only to miss it when she discusses the seasons with Nick: “‘I always wait for
the longest day in the year and then miss it’” (Fitzgerald 11).
Note: - Use brackets [ ] to add your own words or [. . .] in a quote. Only include a
[. . .] if the removed text is in the middle of the quote, not at the ends.
- Use triple quotes when you are quoting a quote: Susan said, “Bob said,
‘Ouch!’”
Integrating Quotes Quick Guide
• Introduce the speaker or writer of the quote--use a comma.
ex. Nick first introduces the important symbol of the green light when he writes,
“I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single green light” (Fitzgerald
21).
• Roll the quote into your own sentence.
ex. The broken clock “took this moment to tilt dangerously at the pressure of his
[Gatsby’s] head” (Fitzgerald 86).
• Introduce the quote with a complete sentence--use a colon.
ex. Daisy expresses the theme that people spend their lives waiting for
something only to miss it when she discusses the seasons with Nick: “‘I always wait for
the longest day in the year and then miss it’” (Fitzgerald 11).
Note: - Use brackets [ ] to add your own words or [. . .] in a quote. Only include a
[. . .] if the removed text is in the middle of the quote, not at the ends.
- Use triple quotes when you are quoting a quote: Susan said, “Bob said,
‘Ouch!’”