Concept #1
• Blending quotes is as much about thinking
critically as it is about writing better
sentences.
• A sentence that effectively blends a quote
reveals analytical insights into a text that go
well beneath the surface.
• Applying complex sentence structure provides
a framework to dig deeper beneath the text.
Concept #2
• Your sentences that contain quotes from the text
should be analytical sentences that happen to
have a quote embedded in to your own analysis.
• Ex: Gene cynically views the impending end of
innocence when he says, “The summer of 1942
was my sarcastic summer” (194).
• Ex: Stating that his jump was his “contribution to
the war effort,” Gene juxtaposes his carefree
youth with the surrounding reality of war and
adulthood.
Concept #2 ctd.
• Poor example: Gene says “I could not escape
a feeling that this was my own funeral” (194).
He says this as Phineas is being laid to rest.
• Poor example: Gene says this was his
“sarcastic summer” (40). This quote reveals
that Gene is cynical about his reality.
• What in the above sentences is analysis of the
text?
Concept #3
• A complex sentence with a blended quote should
contain a quote that reveals an important insight,
and does not merely reveal plot.
EX: Symbolizing the warmth and protection of
innocence and youth, “from the Devon Woods
trees reached in an unbroken, widening
corridor” serving as a thick barrier of protection
from the harsh outside world, during the
innocence of the summer session (30).
Concept #4
• The anatomy of a complex thought process and a
complex sentence with a quote from the text:
• 6 Part Sentence:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Self Evident detail (quote from text)
Level 1 Analysis (what might be true)
Level 2 Analysis (what larger idea we can infer)
Participial Phrase
Adverbial Clause
Independent Clause
Adverbial
Clause and
Self Evident
Detail
Concept #4 ctd.
• When Gene explains that “the tree was
not only stripped by the cold season, it
seemed weary from age,” remarking on
his perceived change in the tree over
fifteen years, his coming of age and
change in perspective parallels the
Phrase
altered appearance of a tree that once and
Level 1
Analysis
Independent
meant the world to Gene (14).Clause and
Participial
Level 2
Analysis
Concept #4 ctd.
• When Gene explains that “the tree was not only
stripped by the cold season, it seemed weary from
age,” remarking on the change in the tree over fifteen
years, his coming of age and change in perspective
parallels the altered appearance of a tree that once
meant the world to Gene (14).
• The critical thinking process:
– Gene says, “the tree” looked very different
– What might be true about Gene when he says this? He has
changed as much as the tree.
– What can we predict, evaluate, analyze, or synthesize
about Knowles’ larger purpose with this scene? Gene has
come of age and sees things very differently now.
The beauty of sentence structure… We
can mix it up for variety!
• Remarking on the change in the tree over
fifteen years, When Gene explains that “the
tree was not only stripped by the cold
season, it seemed weary from age,” his
coming of age and change in perspective
parallels the altered appearance of a tree
that once meant the world to Gene (14).
Concept #4 ctd.
Surface Level –
Right there in
the text; Self
Evident
• Leper goes AWOL while in the army
He can’t handle the realities
of war.
What might be
true: Requires
us to dig
deeper. Level 1
Analysis
Leper is not ready to exist in an unprotected,
adult world.
What we can
evaluate/synthesize. The
“gems!” Level 2 Analysis
Phrases and Clauses Review
• Phrases: Missing either a subject or the verb
• Clauses: Have all the stuff (Subject and Verb)
• Adverbial Clauses – Add more information to he
basic verb (when, why, how… does the action
happen)
• Participle Phrases- always function as adjectives,
adding description to the sentence
Phrases and Clauses Review Ctd.
• Participial Phrase: A phrase that begins with
a present or past participle
• EX: Running through the woods, I tripped and
fell.
• EX: Frustrated with Finny, Gene jounces the
limb.
Note that the underlined phrase
has no subject. It gives us more
info about Gene but is not a
complete thought.
Phrases and Clauses Review Ctd.
• Adverbial clauses can be used frequently to
allow us to construct more detailed, complex
sentences.
EX: When the teacher left the room, the kids
starting misbehaving.
EX: When Gene says, “I was growing up” he
begins to develop his own identity.
The clause is adverbial because it
tells us “when” Gene begins to
develop. The clause is
dependent, so it forces our
sentence to have to continue.
Phrases and Clauses Review
• When Gene explains that “the tree was not only stripped by the
cold season, it seemed weary from age,” remarking on the change
in the tree over fifteen years, his coming of age and change in
perspective parallels the altered appearance of a tree that once
meant the world to Gene (14).
• Simple Subject: His change
• Simple Verb: parallels
• When does his change parallel the tree? When he
explains that…
– Thus, the phrase describing WHEN he parallels the
tree adds to the verb, parallels, so it is an ADVERBIAL
CLAUSE.
• When A happens, revealing B, C is
true.
• Because A says, indicating B, C is
true.
Workshop
TIME’S
YOURS!
Quote Blending and Higher Order
Thinking
• Using the info you gathered on your chart
yesterday, construct complex sentences that
blend your quote into your level 1 and level 2
analysis.