College Composition / Unit 23 CMP 0561 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Embedding Quotations
The idea
Embedding a quotation means fitting it smoothly into your own sentence so readers can follow its meaning and relevance.
In practice
Embed in order. First, introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that names the source. Second, quote only the words you need. Third, make the quotation fit your sentence's grammar: tenses consistent, subjects and verbs agreeing. If it does not fit, quote less, rewrite your sentence, or make a marked change in brackets. For example, a sentence about city dwellers assuming that breakfast comes from the grocery can quote only that phrase and supply the rest in the writer's own words. Fourth, punctuate correctly, with the citation after the closing quotation mark. Fifth, follow with your explanation of what the quotation shows.
Where people slip
The test of a well-embedded quotation is that the sentence reads correctly aloud with the quotation marks removed. If it does not, the grammar of the quotation and your sentence do not match.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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