Quotation Integration

Using quotations from other sources is an important component of academic writing. However, it is full of challenges! 

Let's look at this student sample paragraph, which illustrates some issues with quotation integration:

“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book.” Samuel Johnson said this, and meant that writers must incorporate significant amounts of reading into their routines and study in order to improve their own skills.

Which issues should we work to address here?

• The quotation is not introduced
• The quotation is not cited
• "This quote meant that" is not a meaningful, sophisticated way to follow a quote.
  

Now, let's look at this one, in which the quotation is more smoothly integrated into the paragraph:

It is well known that writers must incorporate significant amounts of reading into their study routines in order to improve their own skills. Samuel Johnson once remarked that "the greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book" (Boswell, 1791). Most writers would agree that, indeed, the most effective tutors are the works of other writers.

Let's look at what we improved here:

• The quotation is introduced 
• The quotation is properly cited
• It is followed and explained in a more sophisticated way, without being redundant. 
• This uses the "quote sandwich method," a technique used often in academic writing to help a writer "blend" the quotations into his/her own paragraphs. 

For more information on the quote sandwich method:

• Printable handout with examples (Cary English)
• Video lesson on the quote sandwich (3 minutes- from Lauren's the Write Way)
  

To learn more about 4 common methods for integrating quotations into one's writing:

• Printable resource with rules, punctuation reminders, and a practice page

Do you prefer video lessons?

• Here is a teacher explaining and illustrating the 4 methods of integrating quotations (4 minutes- Cassandra Hanson)
• Here is a university-level video about how and when to use and integrate quotations (7 minutes-BYU Idaho)
• An Australian writing tutor explains how to integrate quotes ("Lisa's Study Guides) (6 Minutes)
• How to video: Walden University, integrating quotes in to the middle of a sentence (2 minutes)

Are you ready to practice?

• Practice quiz 1 (Explanation by Randy Rambo, 2019, with link to multiple choice quiz)
  
• Practice quiz 2 (QUIA quiz: which is correct?)
• Practice quiz 3 (QUIZIZZ practice: is it correct? how can we fix it?)
• Practice quiz 4 (easier, from SoftSchools.com: Practice with correct quotation punctuation only)