FWS, Ms. ByunName______Date ______
The 3 mandATESof Direct Quoting (MLA Style)
Provides evidence of a close reading and understanding of the original text
Gives credit to the original author for articulating ideas well
1) INTEGRATE
Aim to seamlessly insert your quote into the MIDDLE of your sentence of analysis.
Hint: Starting your sentence with “When” helps you avoid ending the sentence with the quote.
Picture a quote sideways “quote sandwich” where your quote is sandwiched between your words.
BAD: There is a quote on page 5 that supports my idea, “I would not, could not, in a box” (5).
BETTER: When Seuss writes how Sam, “would not, could not, in a box,” the internal rhyme emphasizes his unwillingness to change the status quo (5).
2) PUNCTUATE
The pg number + period close the sentence at the VERY END even though the quote appears midway.
Sam’s friend retorts, “I do not like green eggs and ham,” when Sam offers him the dish (Seuss 5).
Brackets [ ] are used when the quote requires a slight modification (e.g. a shift in tense, pronoun, etc.).
Sam has a friend who, “[does] not like green eggs and ham,” and proceeds to explain his preference (Seuss 5).
Note: [sic](don’t italicize the brackets) directly after a quoted word indicates you’re preserving someone else’s mistake.
Template: When the author/character/narrator/speaker…. argues/says/describes….“quoted text….,” it shows/emphasizes/highlights (your analysis)….(Author pg#).
Note: When the author is mentioned, all you need is the page # or news source.
3) COGITATE Cogitate: to ______
Try to follow the 3:1 rule to start out with (3 sentences of analysis per quote). Eventually, aim for 5:1.
Sometimes less is more. Do not quote a big chunk of text unless you’re willing to spend more time on analysis. Instead, focus on specific words. You can use ellipses (…) to indicate you’ve omitted words.
Example: When Sam’s friend declares, he, “…would not, could not, in a box,” the internal rhyme emphasizes his unwillingness to change the status quo (Seuss 5). The repetition of “not” also reinforces this negative and inflexible attitude. In other words*, Sam’s friend…
*The sentence starter “in other words” can often lead you to clarify or better articulate your ideas.
Remember J. Lester’s rule: Spend no more than 10% of your essay directly quoting another writer.
In other words, don’t haul your quotes in a “dump truck” and “bury” your reader
Some Key Words You Can use to Introduce a Quote (aka Reporting Verbs)
explains/cites/presents/states/poses the question/wonders ______
______
implies/highlights/suggests/asserts/claims/contends/argues/insists ______