Using QuotesBarry 2010

Using QuotesLiterary essays require the use of

quotes to ground arguments in the work being analyzed.

Quotes need to be1. incorporated well into your

writing, and2. cited correctly.

Using QuotesFirst, let’s look at an example

excerpt from an essay that does not incorporate a quote smoothly into the writing.

Using QuotesIn Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury

creates a dystopian society where books are outlawed. “So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores on the face of life” (Bradbury 83). Books are not allowed in Montag’s world.

Using QuotesNow, let’s look at an example

excerpt from an essay that does incorporate a quote smoothly into the writing.

Using Quotes In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury creates a

dystopian society where books are outlawed. Montag begins to understand why when he speaks with Faber, a former English professor. Faber asks, “’So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores on the face of life’” (Bradbury 83). Faber’s words reveal that because people are afraid of the realities of life, they have removed books that focus on those realities from their society completely. This lack of books causes several problems for the society.

Using QuotesNotice: it took a great deal of

text to support the use of the quote. There was a smooth lead-in to

the quote, and the quote was explained

afterward.

Citing QuotesNow let’s talk about citing

quotes appropriately.There are two types of citation

in MLA:1. in-text citations2. citations in the Works Cited

Citing Quotes: In-text Citations MLA in-text citations include

the author’s last name and the page number of the quote.

The citation is in parentheses. The period comes after the closing

parenthesis. Capitalization of the first letter of the

quote depends on how the quote is used.

Citing Quotes: In-text Citations

Example:Faber asks, “‘So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores on the face of life’” (Bradbury 83).

This quote introduces a piece of dialogue, so the first letter is capitalized.

Citing Quotes: In-text Citations

Example:Faber says that books “‘show the pores on the face of life’” (Bradbury 83).

This quote was incorporated into the sentence, so the first letter was not capitalized.

Citing Quotes: In-text Citations

Example:At the beginning of the book, Montag loves to burn books. “It was a pleasure to burn” ( Bradbury 3).

This quote was not incorporated into the sentence, so the first letter was capitalized.

Citing Quotes: In-text CitationsDid you notice? MLA in-text citations include

the author’s last name the page number of the quote

The citation is in parentheses. The period comes after the closing

parenthesis. Capitalization of the first letter of the

quote depends on how the quote is used.

Citing Quotes: In-text CitationsExceptionsSometimes the author’s last name

is used in the set-up of the quote. In this case, the author doesn’t need to be included in parentheses. In Ray Bradbury’s Farenheit 451,

Faber says that books “‘show the pores on the face of life’” (83).

Citing Quotes: In-text CitationsExceptions Also, if the same source was used

for the last quote, the author’s name does not need to be included.

Thus, in this paper, you only need the author’s name the first time you use a quote from the book. Faber says that books “‘show the pores

on the face of life’” (83).

Citing Quotes: In-text CitationsWhat is wrong here?“Montag walked but did not feel his feet touch the cement and then the night grasses.” (Bradbury 115)

“‘Montag walked but did not feel his feet touch the cement and then the night grasses (Bradbury 115).’”

Citing Quotes: In-text CitationsWhat is wrong here?“Montag walked but did not feel his feet touch the cement and then the night grasses.” (Bradbury, 115)

“Montag walked but did not feel his feet touch the cement and then the night grasses.” (Bradbury 115).

Citing Quotes: In-text CitationsNow you practice!Write out this quote with the correct in-text citation:p. 113 Montag’s face was entirely numb and featureless.

p. 29 “Oh, they don’t miss me,” she said. “I’m antisocial, they say.”

Citing Quotes: Works CitedThe works cited page is usually a

new page at the end of the MLA paper.

To save paper since you will only cite one source, just include it at the end of your last page, not on a new page, for this paper only.

Citing Quotes: Works CitedThe title is “Works Cited” and it

should be centered.The whole page should be double-

spaced, just like the body of the paper.

The entries themselves use a hanging indent.

Citing Quotes: Works CitedFormat for a book (From the OWL writing lab):

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book.

Original Year of Publication. Place of

Publication: Publisher, Year of

Publication. Medium of Publication.

Citing Quotes: Works CitedFormat for a book (From the OWL writing lab):

Erdrich, Louise. Love Medicine. 1984.

New York: Perennial-Harper, 1993.

Print.