Quoting and integrating sources
Quoting
1) Choose wisely – have a sense of what you want the quote to do in and for your text, how the quote will support your piece (or provide complicating evidence, friction, tension – something for you to respond against)
2) Frame every quotation – explain whose words they are, what the quotation means, and how the quotation relates to your text. Your quote must always be connected with what you are saying
Overexplaining: When in doubt, go for it. In general: long, complex quotes with lots of details or jargon, or quotes that contain hidden complexities need the most explanatory framework
How NOT to introduce quotes: Instead:
“X asserts an idea that” “X asserts” “X’s idea is”
“A quote by X says” “X writes or says”
Connecting Sentences
1) Use transitions
ADDITION: also, and, besides, furthermore, in addition, indeed, in fact, moreover, so too
EXAMPLE: after all, as an illustration, for example, for instance, specifically, to take a case in point
ELABORATION: actually, by extension, in short, that is, in other words, to put it another way, to put it bluntly, to put it succinctly, ultimately
COMPARISON: along the same lines, in the same way, likewise, similarly
CONTRAST: although, but, by contrast, conversely, despite the fact that, even though, however, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, regardless, whereas
CAUSE AND EFFECT: accordingly, as a result, consequently, hence, since, so, then, therefore, thus
CONCESSION: admittedly, although it is true, granted, naturally, of course, to be sure
CONCLUSION: as a result, consequently, hence, in short, in sum, therefore, thus, to sum up, to summarize
2) Use “pointing words” – these point back to a word or concept in the previous sentence. This, these, that, those, their, such, his, he, her, she, it, and their. Use them carefully, being sure that what they point to is clearly defined object.
3) Repeat key terms and phrases
4) Repeat yourself, but with a difference. “In other words” or “To put it another way” or “Futhermore” or “For example” – restates earlier claim, but with a difference.
To move smoothly from point to point in any text, you need to firmly ground yourself in what you’ve already said.
(notes taken from They Say/I Say Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein)
