E10/EF7 Using Quotations

using quotations

Here are some key points to remember when using quotations:

1)   Incorporate quotations into your sentences.

Fit inside your sentence, part of- grammatical

Old Major was an old, “majestic-looking”(1) animal.

Old Major was an old animal- “majestic-looking”(1)

2)   Keep quotations to a few words.  Quotations are like salt in  food: a little bit gives flavour; too much ruins the dish.

Old Major was a “majestic-looking pig with a wise and

benevolent appearance”(1) TOO LONG

3)   Use quoted material to support your points.

4)   Don’t use too many quotations.  Pick two or three quotations to support your brainstormed points and leave the rest.

Old Major was “twelve years old”(1) and “rather stout”, so he was “majestic-looking” and also “wise and benevolent”.

5)   Make sure the quoted material is exactly as written in the story.  Use … and [] to make minor grammatical or stylistic changes.

… ellipsis, Omitted words

…… etc et cetera

I like cats, dogs, fish, etc.

I like cats, dogs, fish…… NOT ENGLISH, TRANSLATION

“majestic-looking pig, with a wise and benevolent appearance”

“majestic-looking … appearance” words have been omitted

STILL HAS TO BE GRAMMATICAL

Old Major had a “majestic-looking … appearance”(1). GRAMMATICAL

Old Major was “twelve years old [and] …rather stout” (1).NOT GRAMMATICAL

[] square brackets- added words or letters to make the sentence grammatical

“stout motherly”(2)

Clover was a “stout motherly”(2) horse.

Clover was “stout [and] motherly”(2).

… [] USE SPARINGLY

Clover was a “stout…mare [in] … middle age”(2). POOR CHOICE, AWKWARD

          Clover was a “stout, motherly” (2) horse who was not young.

          CLEANER STYLE

6)   Avoid repeating quotations.

ONE TIME ONLY, LIKE DENTAL FLOSS

7)   After quoting material, go on to explain why the quotation is relevant.

8)   Avoid ending paragraphs with quotations.

END WITH YOUR OWN WORDS