Using Information from Sources:
Creating Direct Quotes
Since hearing from our speakers, my definition of
success has changed. Now, I’m less focused on
money and fame and more interested in how I can
impact others in a positive way.
Clover K. Kitty Cat
Direct Quotes
1. Let’s say you are going to quote Clover in your letter.
Write your direct quote here:
2. Examine the following direct quotes.
i. Which are incorrect and why?
ii. Which are correct and why?
a. Clover K. Kitty Cat says. "Since hearing from our speakers, my definition of success has changed.
Now, I’m less focused on money and fame and more interested in how I can impact others in a
positive way.”
b. "Since hearing from our speakers, my definition of success has changed. Now, I’m less focused on
money and fame and more interested in how I can impact others in a positive way.”
c. Clover K. Kitty Cat says, "since hearing from our speakers, my definition of success has changed.
Now, I’m less focused on money and fame and more interested in how I can impact others in a
positive way.”
d. Clover K. Kitty Cat says, "Since hearing from our speakers, my definition of success has changed.
Now, I’m less focused on money and fame and more interested in how I can impact others in a
positive way".
e. Clover K. Kitty Cat says, "Since hearing from our speakers, my definition of success has changed.
Now, I’m less focused on money and fame and more interested in how I can impact others in a
positive way.”
f. "Since hearing from our speakers, my definition of success has changed. Now, I’m less focused on
money and fame and more interested in how I can impact others in a positive way.” Clover K. Kitty
Cat says.
g. "Since hearing from our speakers, my definition of success has changed,” Clover K. Kitty Cat says.
“Now, I’m less focused on money and fame and more interested in how I can impact others in a
positive way.”
3. Ask a classmate the following question: How has the speakers series affected the way you define
success?
4. Write down exactly what your classmate says and then quote him/her directly:
5. The article about growing your brain doesn’t have a named author, so how can we quote it?
The article “You Can Grow Your Intelligence” states,
attribution—give credit for the words and the ideas
comma—separates attribution and quote
quotation marks—go around the source’s exact words
exact words go inside the quotation marks
period
close the quotation marks
e. Clover K. Kitty Cat says, "All cats are entitled to full snack access rights. This means that
if a human member of my household eats a graham cracker, I also have the right to eat a
graham cracker.”
f. "All cats are entitled to full snack access rights. This means that if a human member of
my household eats a graham cracker, I also have the right to eat a graham cracker.”—Clover
K. Kitty Cat
g. "All cats are entitled to full snack access rights. This means that if a human member of
my household eats a graham cracker, I also have the right to eat a graham cracker.” Clover
K. Kitty Cat says.
"All cats are entitled to full snack access rights,” says Clover K. Kitty Cat. “This means that if
a human member of my household eats a graham cracker, I also have the right to eat a
graham cracker.”
“How’s class?” Jordan asked.
“That was boring!” Taylor exclaimed.
Next Step:
Create a direct quote from an interview you do.
1. Partner 1: Ask your partner the following question: When do you eat food, and when do
you eat edible foodlike substances? (Partner 2: Be sure to answer the question in a
complete sentence.)
Write your partner’s response down word-for-word.
2. Switch roles:
Partner 2: Ask your partner the following question: When do you eat food, and when do you
eat edible foodlike substances? (Partner 1: Be sure to answer the question in a complete
sentence.)
Write your partner’s response down word-for-word.
3. Partners 1 and 2:
Create a direct quote using your partner’s exact words.
Indirect Quotes
Now let’s go back to Clover K. Let’s say you think Clover K.’s ideas are important, but you
don’t think there’s anything special about the way she expresses herself.
Instead of referring to her words in a direct quote, you’ll summarize her ideas in an indirect
quote.
How do you do this?
You don’t use Clover’s exact words. You summarize her idea in your own words but still give
her credit as your source.
Direct Quote: Clover K. Kitty Cat says, "All cats are entitled to full snack access rights. This
means that if a human member of my household eats a graham cracker, I also have the right
to eat a graham cracker.”
Indirect Quote:
Clover K. Kitty Cat thinks if someone else eats something, she should be able to eat
something, too.
Practice: Rewrite the direct quote you created from your interview with your partner as an
indirect quote.
Name: _____________________________________________
Homework:
1. Interview a friend or family member by asking: When do you eat food, and when do you
eat edible foodlike substances? (You may have to explain the difference between “food” and
“edible foodlike substance.”)
2. Take notes during the interview, and write your interviewee’s exact words here:
2. Use these exact words to create a direct quote. Look at the examples we did in class for
proper formatting.
3. Use your interviewee’s ideas to create an indirect quote.
4. Please bring your SSR book to class.