Using quotes
in your writing
A Writing Lab Presentation
from Ms. Lomauro
Using quotes in your writing
•
Integrating quotes into your writing, no matter
what the subject, is a skill we all need to
master.
•
Textual support PROVES that what you are
saying is true.
•
It’s the difference between just saying
something, and saying something with
evidence to back it up.
Using quotes in your writing

QUOTE SELECTION
•
Choose textual evidence that supports your thesis, or
main argument.
•
For example: If your thesis is about how Beowulf is an
epic hero, choose quotes that support that particular
argument, not quotes about other things.
•
The difference between just putting in quotes
because Ms. Lomauro told me to, and putting in
quotes because they PROVE what I am saying about
Beowulf is true.
Using quotes in your writing
 “After
the defeat of Grendel, Beowulf
faces a tougher opponent: Grendel’s
mother. She is vengeful at Hrothgar’s
people for killing her son, and attacks
them in retaliation for her son’s death. She
kills Aeschere, Hrothgar’s good friend.
“She had done away with a great
warrior…” (p. 91). Beowulf is summoned to
defeat her, and exhibits superhuman
qualities…”
Using quotes in your writing

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with this
author’s argument; in fact, this was a very
good essay.

The issue here is structure: if your main thesis is
how this defeat makes Beowulf an epic hero,
give a quote about him!
Give evidence of his superhuman qualities—
that would be a more effective quote to
include here.

Using quotes in your writing
 BEWARE
OF THE QUOTE BOMB!
Special thanks to Mrs. Kenealley for coining the term
Using quotes in your writing
A
quote bomb happens when:
A) You start a paragraph with a quote with
no introduction or transition.
OR
B) You end a paragraph with a quote with
no concluding thought or analysis.
BEWARE OF THE QUOTE BOMB!
 Beware!
 Cuidado!
 Atchung!
Using quotes in your writing
Q: What is the effect of a quote bomb?
A: The structure of your writing may read as
awkward, incomplete, or underdeveloped.
Beginning quote bombs can be abrupt and
ending quote bombs seem unfinished.
Using quotes in your writing
When writing with quotes,
think of the following
analogy:
Using quotes in your writing
Think panini…
Using quotes in your writing
NOT filet mignon!
Using quotes in your writing
 What
 Think
does that mean?
of the bread as necessary
components.
 The top piece is an introduction to the
quote.
 The bottom piece is your own analysis,
explanation, etc.
Using quotes in your writing

What would a panini be without the bread?

If the top pieces was missing, it would be an
open-faced sandwich, thereby changing the
structure altogether.

If the bottom piece were missing, it would be
virtually impossible to eat it in the traditional
way.
Using quotes in your writing
A
very common recommendation that I
make on student papers has to do with
placement and integration of quotes
from the text.
 Learning
how to do this properly will make
your writing more developed and
sophisticated.
Using quotes in your writing
 Make
the connection clear.
 After
a quote, answer the following
questions:
 Why
is this quote important?
 What does it show or prove?
 What does it mean?
Using quotes in your writing
 “Beowulf
was an epic hero because he
was willing to put himself in dangerous
situations in order to save others. He also
did not expect any reward in return. After
his death, people remembered him as “of
all the kings upon the earth, the man most
gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his
people and keenest to win fame” (p.
213).
Using quotes in your writing
 What’s
missing? The explanation or
analysis of the quote…or, the bottom
piece of bread.
 ALWAYS
end with your own words, your
own thoughts.
 Check
it out now…
Using quotes in your writing

“Beowulf was an epic hero because he was
willing to put himself in dangerous situations in
order to save others. He also did not expect
any reward in return. After his death, people
remembered him as “of all the kings upon the
earth, the man most gracious and fairminded, kindest to his people and keenest to
win fame” (p. 213). Beowulf’s legacy as an
epic hero lives on in the minds of his people,
and his heroic traits are celebrated until
today.
Using quotes in your writing

This one additional piece makes the use of
the quote valid
AND

It ties your supporting arguments back to your
original thesis.

Two crucial pieces of literature-based writing.
Using quotes in your writing
“All this consoles me, doomed as I am
sickening for death” (lines 2739-41). The Geats
loved Beowulf because he was willing to die
for the cause, and gave him a proper burial.
This showed their gratefulness…
What’s missing here?
An introduction to the quote! The top piece
of bread!
Using quotes in your writing
Part of Beowulf’s status as an epic hero
comes from the fact that he accepts all
responsibilities, even death. “All this consoles
me, doomed as I am sickening for death” (lines
2739-41). The Geats loved Beowulf because he
was willing to die for the cause, and gave him a
proper burial. This showed their gratefulness…
NOW…the quote is introduced. We know
who is speaking, and about what.
Using quotes in your writing
 Overall,
these Beowulf essays were strong.
 Most
of the comments I made were
structural.
 We’ll
continue to work on these skills
throughout the year.
THANK YOU!