Correctly
Integrating
Quotations
Every quotation should have a
reference that indicates where
you got it.
“I shall not see on earth a place more dear”
Author: Homer
Page: 656
Line #: 137
(See page 115-116 of A Pocket Style Manual)
Anytime you quote something, you
need to give the author’s name and
the page number the quotation can
be found on.
Example- Potok 78
NO PAGE
(See page 128-135 of A Pocket Style Manual)
If you are quoting poetry, use the line
number instead of the page number.
Example- Homer lines 68-70
Type line or lines so
readers know you are
not referring to the
page number
(See page 128-135 of A Pocket Style Manual)
The author’s last name and page number go
after the quotation inside of parentheses.
This is called the QUO-PAR-PUNC rule.
“I shall not see on earth a place more
dear” (Homer line 137).
QUO=
PAR=
PUNC=
quotation parentheses punctuation
(See page 128-135 of A Pocket Style Manual)
Never leave
a quotation
naked!
You wouldn’t wear clothes
that only cover up the frontside or the back-side of your
body, so don’t leave your
quotation half naked either.
Odysseus speaks to Alcinous’
court about his homeland in
Ithaca, recalling,
“I shall not see on earth a
place more dear” (Homer line
137). Thus, he demonstrates
the Greek value of loyalty to
one’s homeland.
Clothe the Front
There are two ways to
begin a sentence that
includes a quotation.
1. Use a signal phrase.
2. Integrate the author’s words into
your own writing.
Signal Phrases
A signal phrase indicates that
you are about to use
language that is not your
own.
Signal Phrases
If you do not show that these
are not your own words it is
PLAGERISM!
Signal Phrases
Example:
• Polyphemus says of
Odysseus,
(See page 120 of A Pocket Style Manual for
a list of verbs to use in signal phrases)
Example 1
Revise:
• Odysseus shows that he is an epic
hero in the Cyclops episode, “I would
not heed them in my glorying spirit,/
but let my anger flare…” (Homer lines
500-501).
WARNING
Just adding a quotation to
the end of a related
sentence does not mean
that you have used a
signal phrase.
Example 1
Fixed:
• Odysseus reveals that he desires the
credit for his deeds, saying, “I would
not heed them in my glorying spirit,/
but let my anger flare…” (Homer lines
500-501).
Be sure that you do not
confuse the author, Homer,
with the narrator, who is
sometimes Homer,
sometimes Odysseus.
Example 2
Revise:
• Homer shows that Odysseus is an
epic hero by saying, “I drove them, all
three wailing, to the ships…” (line
211).
Example 2
Fixed:
• Odysseus shows his loyalty to his
homeland by forcing his men to
continue on their journey. He
explains, “I drove them, all three
wailing, to the ships…” (line 211).
Example 3
Revise:
• Odysseus cleverly deceives the
Cyclops. “My name is Nohbody…”
(Homer line 360).
Example 3
Fixed:
• Odysseus cleverly deceives the
Cyclops, declaring, “My name is
Nohbody…” (Homer line 360).
Example 4
Revise:
• “…make fair sacrifice to Lord Poseidon”
(Homer line 650). With these words,
Teiresias helps Odysseus to see that it
has been his pride that has kept him from
returning home, and he must admit his
mistake to Poseidon in order to right the
situation.
Example 4
Fixed:
• Teiresias confirms that Odysseus’ pride
has kept him from Ithaca, commanding
him, “…make fair sacrifice to Lord
Poseidon” (Homer line 650). Thus
Teiresias reveals that the only way for
Odysseus to reestablish right standing
with the gods is to finally acknowledge
Poseidon’s help in the Trojan War.
Signal phrases must introduce
your quote. You are not
writing a mystery story—don’t
make the reader guess where
your quote came from.
Integrate the Author’s Words
If you choose to
incorporate the author’s
words into your
sentence, the result must
be grammatically correct.
Example 5
Revise:
• Odysseus’ sacrifice to Poseidon is the last
task he must accomplish before his world
is set right again, “Then a seaborne death/
soft as this hand of mist will come upon
you/ when you are wearied out with rich
old age” (Homer lines 654-656).
Example 5
Fixed:
• Odysseus’ sacrifice to Poseidon is the last
task he must accomplish before a peaceful
“seaborne death/ soft as this hand of mist
will come upon [him]” (Homer lines 654655).
Example 6
Revise:
• The sirens tempt Odysseus, “The voices in
ardor appealing over the water” (Homer
752).
Example 6
Fixed:
• The sirens’ “voices in ardor appealing over
the water” (Homer 752) tempt Odysseus,
leading him to beg his men to be untied.
Clothe the Back
You must explain
the significance
of every quote in
your paper.
Example 7
Revise:
• The sirens’ “voices in ardor appealing over
the water” (Homer 752) tempt Odysseus,
leading him to beg his men to be untied.
Example 7
Fixed:
• The sirens’ “voices in ardor appealing over
the water” (Homer 752) tempt Odysseus,
leading him to beg his men to be untied.
As an epic hero, Odysseus never fails to
succumb to temptation by women, even
that of the monstrous sirens.
Example 8
• Odysseus’ sacrifice to Poseidon is the last
task he must accomplish before a peaceful
“seaborne death/ soft as this hand of mist
will come upon [him]” (Homer lines 654655). In this way, Odysseus finally
accomplishes his goal of returning home
to live happily in Ithaca with his family.
Do Not Refer to the Quotation
Other than naked quotations,
the most common mistake
is referring directly to the
quotation.
Do Not Refer to the Quotation
• Teiresias predicts the end of Odysseus’
life in the quote: “seaborne death/ soft as
this hand of mist will come upon [him]”
(Homer lines 654-655).
Do Not Refer to the Quotation
• Odysseus cleverly deceives the
Cyclops, declaring, “My name is
Nohbody…” (Homer line 360). This
quotation reveals that Odysseus uses
intelligence in situations wherein
strength is not an option.
For Future Reference…
•Quote is a verb
•Quotation is a noun