Building Fluency :
Quote Incorporation/
Quote Sandwiching
According to the SIX TRAIT rubric, a
fluent paragraph has…
Natural flow
Clarity
Interest
Variety
Readability
Activity 1: Paraphrase our
learning goal in the space
provided on your paper.
Learn how to smoothly
incorporate quotes and practice
accountable talk.
Activity 2: Self-assessment-- Circle the
number that best applies to you
Rate the level of fluency of your quote
incorporation.
 4: I thoroughly mastered the art of fluent quote
incorporation and can instruct someone else on
the topic.
 3: I have a strong grasp of fluent quote
incorporation.
 2: I have a basic understanding, but need more
knowledge and practice in fluent quote
incorporation.
 1: I am confused and need further instruction
before I can incorporate quotes fluently.
Activity 3: Label the
following parts on the
quote sandwich paragraph.
 Top bun: Introduce context of the
quote
 “Meat” and condiments: Quote
itself, between sentence opener
and page citation
 Bottom bun: Commentary on quote
and how it supports your
thesis/claim
Activity 4: Test your knowledge of the
Rules of Fluent Quote Incorporation
 Rule A: MLA Format parenthetical citation
rule
 Rule B: Quote within a quote rule
 Rule C: Grammatical fluency rule
 Rule D: No quote tag filler rule
 Rule E: Ellipses rule
 Rule F: No floating quote rule
 Rule G: Avoid block quotes rule
RULE A:
MLA Format Page Citation Rule
Pick the sentence with strongest
fluency:

Oedipus does not recognize the danger he faces when he
establishes that he will “bring it all to light” (pg 167).

Oedipus does not recognize the danger he faces when he
establishes that he will “bring it all to light” (page 167).

On page 167, Oedipus does not recognize the danger he faces
when he establishes that he will “bring it all to light.”

Oedipus does not recognize the danger he faces when he
establishes that he will “bring it all to light” (167).
RULE B:
QUOTE WITHIN A QUOTE RULE
Pick the sentence with strongest fluency:

The messenger conveys the violent actions and words of the king,
who digs pins “down the sockets of his eyes, crying ‘you’ll see no
more the pain I suffered, all the pain I caused’ (237).

The messenger conveys the violent actions and words of the king,
who digs pins “down the sockets of his eyes, crying “you’ll see no
more the pain I suffered, all the pain I caused”” (237).

The messenger conveys the violent actions and words of the king,
who digs pins ‘down the sockets of his eyes, crying “you’ll see no
more the pain I suffered, all the pain I caused.’ (237)

The messenger conveys the violent actions and words of the king,
who digs pins “down the sockets of his eyes, crying ‘you’ll see no
more the pain I suffered, all the pain I caused’” (237).
RULE C:
GRAMMATICAL FLUENCY RULE
Pick the sentence with strongest
fluency:

Oedipus is heroic in that he takes responsibility for his actions
and asks to be exiled, “Take me far away, far from Thebes”
(241).

Oedipus: “Take me far away, far from Thebes” (241). This
shows he is a hero.

Oedipus shows heroism when he requests his own exile,
asking the Chorus to take him “far from Thebes” (241).

Oedipus is a hero and he “take me far away, far from Thebes”
(241).
Build your original quote sandwich!
Activity 6:
Write an original three-sentence quote sandwich
in response to the prompt and excerpt that
follows the rules of fluency. Show the teacher
your work for feedback. Revise as needed.
Activity 7:
Self-assess and celebrate success!
Activity 8: Self-assessment/reflection
on LEARNING GOAL:
How well do I now know how to smoothly
incorporate quotes?
 4: I thoroughly mastered the art of fluent
quote incorporation and can instruct
someone else on the topic.
 3: I have a strong grasp of fluent quote
incorporation.
 2: I have a basic understanding, but need
more knowledge and practice in fluent
quote incorporation.
 1: I am confused and need further
instruction before I can incorporate
quotes fluently.