Embedding Quotations

AP English Language/Literature

KortmanAdapted by J. Krajeck (2007) w/thanks to Dr. C. Butler, Sandy Valley

H.S.

Don’t … Strand Quotations!

S.Q.’s are quotations with NO home….NEVER begin a paragraph with a quotation that has no speaker or interpreted meaning from YOU [as the writer]

Stranded quotations are the proverbial “fishes out of water.” Also called “Island Quotations.”

Paraphrase or Summarize

If the sentence is not quotation-worthy, then use a paraphrase or summary type sentence, e.g., George said that he would never talk to his sister again.

(It is not necessary for the audience to know George’s exact words, only that he will not be talking to his sister…thus, George’s words are not “quotation-worthy.)

He/ She said

Simple sentence tag (Use of author/character name is preferred: Hawthorne implies…)

He said, “There is a full moon tonight.” Comma before quote Capitalize first word Period before end quote Use more precise terms for says: believes,

maintains, suggests, implies (This is typical “dialogue” style and does NOT

offer the “so what” analysis.)

Embedded sentence,Type I

George said that “no one could compare with the great LeBron James.”

No comma before quote No cap for first word of quote No quotes if you change the line

completely: He said that he wanted to go first.

(However, notice that this type of sentence does NOT offer the “so what” feature.)

Embedded Sentence, Type II

The fact that “Elizabeth wanted a gown more beautiful than anyone else’s” shows how vain she is.

The line “Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair” captures the arrogance of the ruler.

* Now THESE embedded sentences offer the “so what” feature. Identify the “so what” in each.

Divided

“You are,” she said reluctantly, “the best pitcher we have seen yet.”

Comma before end quoteComma before second half of

quoteNo cap for second half

Speaker Details

John Smith, the author of Chocolate Rules, believes, “Nothing can take the place of the simple M&M candy.”

AppositiveComma on either side of

appositive

Intro summary (Colon)

Frost repeats the last line to convey a sense of weariness: “And I have miles to go before I sleep. / And I have miles to go before I sleep.”

Full sentence before the colon that summarizes idea of quote

Full sentence for quote/ means a line break for a poem

List of words

“Vile,” “gritty,” “torn,” and “shabby” all suggest the deterioration of the world Winston lives in.

Quotes for each wordCommas before the end quotes

Embedded Phrases

Winston needed to show a face of “quiet optimism” to conceal his desire for revolution.

No commasNo capitalization