When he first appears, George is described as “dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features” (2).
According to Steinbeck, “The ranch was a dreary place to work” (17).
If your introductory phrase is a complete sentence: Use a colon instead of a comma to introduce the quotation.
George knows that Slim’s questioning of him is meant to be friendly: “it [is] Slim’s invitation to confidence” (39).
If the quotation fits into the grammar of a complete sentence: Do not use a comma; your words should flow directly into the quotation.
Lennie’s feelings about George are shown when he “imitate[s] George exactly” (4).
If you need to leave out words: use an ellipsis (…) to indicate that you have removed words from the sentence.
When Lennie defends himself against Curley, he seems to lose control of his body: “Lennie watched in terror the flopping little man whom he held…George slapped him again and again, and still Lennie held on to the closed fist” (63).
If you need to change a word: Put brackets [ ] around any word or words that you have changed.
When Lennie finally releases him, Curley looks “in [amazement] at his crushed hand” (64).
If you are quoting from more than one text in your essay: Put the author’s last name followed by the page number in parentheses. Do NOT write “page” or include a comma.
Example: Ozzie always insists that “what he want[s] to know [is] different” (Roth 141).
1. You should always use your words to lead into a quotation; the quotation should not be its own sentence.
2. Use direct quotations to support inferences, not facts.
3. Quote only what you need; generally, quotations should not exceed 1 or 2 sentences, and shorter is often more effective.
4. When a teacher asks you to use quotations, she doesn’t mean that you can only quote words that characters say in the book; you may also quote from descriptions or narration.
Test Your Understanding: Explain how you would embed these quotations more artfully and effectively.
1. After mocking Romeo's lovesickness, Mercutio expresses concern that his friend will not be able to defend himself if he encounters Tybalt. Showing loyalty, Mercutio says, “And/Is he a man to encounter Tybalt?” (2.4.18).
What's the problem and how do you fix it?
2. Mercutio likes to mock his friends. “Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead,/Stabbed with a white wench's black eye” (2.4.14-15). But Mercutio is also loyal. “And/Is he a man to encounter Tybalt?” (2.4.17-18).
What's the problem and how do you fix it?
3. Mercutio reveals his loyalty to Romeo when he ponders Tybalt's challenge:
Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead,
Stabbed with a white wench's black eye, run
Through the ear with a love-song, the very pin of his
Heart cleft with the blind bow-boy's butt shaft. And
Is he a man to encounter Tybalt? (2.4.14-18)
He mocks Romeo, yet he also expresses concern that his lovesick friend may not be prepared to defend himself.
What's the problem and how do you fix it?
4. What makes this paragraph more effective than the others?
Mercutio's mockery can be vicious, yet underneath his cruel exterior, he is a true friend. He jokes that Romeo “is already dead,/Stabbed with a white wench's black eye,” yet his concern that his friend is dangerously unprepared to face Tybalt in a duel reveals his caring side (2.4.14-15). Mercutio may enjoy ridiculing everyone's dreams; nevertheless, he is always loyal to those he loves.
Your reasons?