14
Embedding Quotations
Your teacher will want you to embed quotations to connect what you've been reading with your thesis. This is also the perfect opportunity to provide evidence. Spend time picking a quotation that really highlights and supports what you have to say. In addition, you'll have to introduce it smoothly into your writing. Words and phrases used to introduce quotations are typically called "signal phrases." Use these when you want to incorporate a quotation. Here are some common signal words/phrases:
writes explains believes
discusses thinks comments
argues suggests
observes thinks
points out mentions
says responds
There are a few different ways to embed a quotation - here are three ways with an example from our To Kill a Mockingbird example - the signal word is in grey to show you how it's used.
Use a signal phrase and a comma to introduce it
As Scout explains, "Atticus would wear me out if he ever heard of me fighting anymore..." (9.1).
Merge it into the sentence - still use a signal phrase, but there is no comma.
Scout explains that "Atticus would wear me out if he ever heard of me fighting anymore..." (9.1)
Use a colon - you need to write an entire sentence that includes a signal word, and usually explains the quotation first.
Scout explains how Atticus would tolerate any more fighting: "Atticus would weear me out if he ever head of me fighting anymore..." (9.1).
Use a colon to introduce it
Blend it into the sentence