How to Introduce Quotations
You must introduce the quotation you are using in some way to make it clear why you are using the quotation. You should state who is speaking, why, and who the speaker is addressing. If the quotation is not introduced, then your essay will not be well organized and it will be confusing to the reader.
You must always sandwich the quotations with commentary - which is comprised of YOUR WORDS. Commentary is your thoughts and your words. If you use quotations without backing them up with commentary, the reader may think you are simply throwing in quotations because you are confused and you don't know what you are writing about.
The following is an example taken from a student essay:
Before the murder he had his mind set on not letting any emotion take over his decisions and would think clearly deciding that "he personally would not be subject to any such morbid subversion" and will "suffice to concentrate" his "will and judgment and they will all be overcome." His actions proved quite differently after the murder when he forgot that the door was locked and killed Alyona's sister and barely made it past the two men outside the door, "Oughtn't I to get rid of the axe? What about taking a cab?....a fatal blunder!" and thinking there was still blood on him after he washed it off.
In the above excerpt the quotation is used but there is no introduction. It is not clear who is speaking, to whom he is speaking, and why. Rewrite the excerpt so that it is clear who is speaking and why.
You must always sandwich the quotations with commentary - which is comprised of YOUR WORDS. Commentary is your thoughts and your words. If you use quotations without backing them up with commentary, the reader may think you are simply throwing in quotations because you are confused and you don't know what you are writing about.
The following is an example taken from a student essay:
Before the murder he had his mind set on not letting any emotion take over his decisions and would think clearly deciding that "he personally would not be subject to any such morbid subversion" and will "suffice to concentrate" his "will and judgment and they will all be overcome." His actions proved quite differently after the murder when he forgot that the door was locked and killed Alyona's sister and barely made it past the two men outside the door, "Oughtn't I to get rid of the axe? What about taking a cab?....a fatal blunder!" and thinking there was still blood on him after he washed it off.
In the above excerpt the quotation is used but there is no introduction. It is not clear who is speaking, to whom he is speaking, and why. Rewrite the excerpt so that it is clear who is speaking and why.
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