How to make a quotation sandwich

A quotation sandwich has 3 main parts

1. Context

2. Quotation

3. Analysis

An example of a quotation sandwich

Donalbain is motivated primarily by his desire to stay alive after Duncan’s brutal murder. When Malcolm questions their silence at their father’s death, Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare 2.3.143-145). Donalbain points out that there is nothing to be said amongst these men, who may be planning to harm him and his brother next. Instead, Donalbain emphasizes that they should flee—even before they grieve. This shows that Donalbain is focused on survival in the crisis, not the way he might appear to others.

1. Context

Orient the reader as to: Where in the story the quote is from What is happening at that moment Which character said it to whom

Example:

Donalbain is motivated primarily by his desire to stay alive after Duncan’s brutal murder. When Malcolm questions their silence at their father’s death, Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare 2.3.143-145).

2. Quotation

Should not be too long Should not merely state a fact Must be punctuated correctly (use / to show line breaks) Must be followed by the correct citationExample:

… Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare 2.3.143-145). Donalbain points out that …

2.5 Punctuating & Citing the Quotation

The quotation will start with a lower case letter if you start in mid-sentence The quotation will start with a capital letter if it is the beginning of a sentence Put a / to show the line breaks The author and act.scene.lines-lines will be in parenthesis after the quotation. The period goes after the parenthesis.

…Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare 2.3.143-145). Donalbain points out that …

3. Analysis

Your interpretation Describe what the quote reveals Explain how it proves your point

Example:

“What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare 2.3.143-145). Donalbain points out that there is nothing to be said amongst these men, who may be planning to harm him and his brother next. Instead, Donalbain emphasizes that they should flee—even before they grieve. This shows that Donalbain is focused on survival in the crisis, not the way he might appear to others.

Quotation Sandwich …mmm…delicious!

TopicSentence

Context

Quote

Analysis

Donalbain is motivated primarily by his desire to stay alive after Duncan’s brutal murder. When Malcolm questions their silence at their father’s death, Donalbain says, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? / Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed” (Shakespeare 2.3.143-145). Donalbain points out that there is nothing to be said amongst these men, who may be planning to harm him and his brother next. Instead, Donalbain emphasizes that they should flee—even before they grieve. This shows that Donalbain is focused on survival in the crisis, not the way he might appear to others.

For more information (MLA Style)

See A Pocket Style Manual p. 116-119 section titled “Integrating literary quotations”

See A Pocket Style Manual page 126 #19 “verse plays and poems” for more information on how to cite Shakespeare