QUOTATIONS AND

LEAD INS

What is a quote?

Any time that you use words that are not YOUR words, you must tell your readers where you got the quote from.

I am asking for Direct Quotes that means you must copy the text WORD FOR WORD including punctuation.

When you copy text word for word, you put quotation marks around it. This lets the reader know that this is EXACTLY what the text said.

What is a lead-in?

Readers should be able to move from your own words to the words you quote without feeling a jolt

The lead-in links the quotation to what surrounds it in your paper.

It is called a DROPPED QUOTE when you just drop a quote into your paper without telling your readers where it is from.

EXAMPLE OF A DROPPED QUOTE

DO NOT DO THIS!!!!

Although the bald eagle is still listed as an endangered species, its ever-increasing population is very encouraging. “The bald eagle seems to have stabilized its population, at the very least, almost everywhere.” (Sheppard 96).

2 types of lead ins for our focus

1. Somebody said lead-in

2. Blended lead-in

Somebody said lead-in This is the most common

lead-in. The author’s name, a character, or title of the book introduces the quote.

A comma is needed before or after the lead-in, depending on where it occurs.

EXAMPLES OF SOMEBODY SAID LEAD IN

In the book, Nelson says, “It is really hard to be this amazing”(Nelson 99).

Mr. Gibson states, “I’ve never seen her acting like a ninja because she is that good” (Nelson 45)

“Ninjas Are Awesome” adds, “Nelson can levitate with the best of them” (99).

“You can try to be like me, but it would be impossible,” argues Nelson (22).

BLENDED LEAD-IN

This type of lead-in gives more flexibility to the writer. The writer chooses the part of the quote necessary for his paper and blends it smoothly into the rest of the sentence.

A comma is not generally needed in this type of lead in.

Examples of Blended Lead Ins

Nelson, a well-known ninja, believes her “skills are higher than all others” (Nelson 23).

  Mr. Gibson argues that “no one on earth

can imagine the things she can do” (Nelson 13).

Even though Nelson is one of the top ninjas in the world, she “works daily” on her skills (Nelson 35).

QUOTATION “DOS”

Do use a comma for brief introductions.

As the animals recall, “there was a definite ruling against beds”(79).

QUOTATION “DON’TS”

Don’t create fragments. Your quote, with its lead-in, must be a grammatically correct sentence.

Wrong: Terence says, “And I myself a sterling lad”(34).

Right: Terence calls himself “a sterling lad”(34).

NOW YOU ARE A QUOTES AND

LEAD-INS EXPERT!!!!