Embedded Files
You must sandwich your quote (the burger) between a set-up (the top bun) and an analysis (the bottom bun)
Set-up: Speaker, situation, lead-in (says, asks, demands, exclaims)
Quotation: Supports ideas and not facts of plot; avoid block quotes (4 lines or longer); in proper MLA format
Analysis:
A. Commentary on why the passage is important
B. Conclusions the reader can draw from the quotation
C. Discussion of the specific language of the passage and what it signifies
D. Connection between the passage and the topic sentence or thesis
AVOID observations: Don't simply re-state facts or translate quotes
INSTEAD use analysis: Answer the question, "Why is this quote important in understanding the text?" or "How does this quote support my thesis/ argument?"
Sample: When asked about whether or not he would return for a third year with the Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan responded, "I'm 100 percent sure that after this I'm done." Many of Jordan's fans and critics alike might take this comment with a grain of salt, as Jordan has retired and come back to basketball more than once already.
*Underlined sentence is analysis of Jordan's quote. If the writer instead had written "Jordan is sure he is retiring" then he would only be making an observation or translating Jordan's quote.
Analysis tips
Analysis tips
How do you incorporate quotations into your analysis?
Are your quotes noteworthy?
As you read, look for literary elements (see "Note taking tips") and take note of where they occur (pg#).
When certain literary elements in a reading (or entire book) repeat, they are noteworthy, so write them down (pg#).
Use the literary elements themselves to create headings which will organize your notes.
Are your quotes useful vs. repeating plot?
1st - Can you analyze it?
Does the quote you've noted from above offer a way for you to conclude something (draw an opinion)? If not, it may be only revealing facts of the plot, so find another. But if so, then...
Write out your conclusion (opinion) and look for other similar quotes - this is exactly what you do for homework. Gathering similar quotes is useful when you write an essay - you will pick the best one(s) for your argument. Do not translate the quote or summarize it, actually conclude something about it or it will not be useful.
2nd - Can it support a larger argument?
Does the quote you've noted from above support a main argument about the entire text? Does it provide evidence for answering an essential question about the text? In other words, is it relevant to your essay? If not, it may be only revealing facts of the plot, so find another. But if so, then...write out your conclusion (opinion).
AVOID these informal words and phrases:
This means...
This proves..
In my opinion...
I think that...
I believe that...
As you can see...
The next quote shows...
This quote says that...
As seen above...
On page __ it says...
INSTEAD use these:
A detail reflects signifies
An example mirrors conveys
The word reveals parallels
shows challenges
demonstrates reinforces
indicates emphasizes
suggests implies
HOW to use these words effectively:
Conveys/ demonstrates/ indicates/ reveals: to establish a connection between two items
Something (character) says conveys...
Detail about (character) demonstrates...
The behavior of (character) reveals (or indicates)...
Suggests: to establish a more subtle connection between two items
The symbol of...suggests...
Challenges/ contrasts: to contradict another idea or show contradiction between two items
The behavior of (character) challenges...
Parallels: to produce near similarity or exact agreement in particulars
A quality of (character) parallels...
Mirrors/ reflects: to offer a true picture of something else; to copy or imitate
A feeling of (character)...mirrors...
Reinforces: to lend additional support to
An aspect of setting reinforces...
Page updated
Report abuse