INCORPORATING QUOTES IN
LITERARY WRITING
SSS Method
Using Textual References
(Examples)
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Why do you need textual references in your essay?
In literary analysis you need to use text. ref. to
support your thesis.
You can strengthen your argument by using text. ref.
whenever and wherever they directly support a
point.
In order to use text ref, you cannot just “throw” them
into the paragraph; you must incorporate them
correctly.
Using Textual References
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SSS method of incorporating textual references
S = speaker, spoken, situation
S = support (textual reference)
S = Significance
SSS 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.
SSS 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.
SSS Method
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Speaker – who is saying the quote, Spoken – who
the speaker is speaking to, Situation – what is going
on at the time the quote is being said
Support – your concrete detail to support your
thesis
Significance – how the support proves your thesis
SSS
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 textual reference means
 Your significance may be 1-2 sentences in length
SSS
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.
SSS 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
SSS
Transition
SSS
Concluding Sentence (optional)
MLA Style
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When using the name of the play, italicize the title.
Double space, 12 point - Times New Roman
Include a title – not the title of the play; that has
been used already
Please use the correct MLA heading
Your Name
Mz. K
Honors English 9
24 October 2011
MLA Citations of Textual References
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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 text ref 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.