DON’T LEAVE THEM

HANGING!

Avoiding Stand Alone “Quotes”

What is a Stand Alone Quote?

The writer includes quoted material and

does not set it up with an appropriate

transition.

The quote is left hanging in the middle of

the paragraph, used as a topic sentence,

or is the last sentence of the paragraph .

There is no lead-in or lead-out transition.

An Example of Stand Alone Quotes

Equality is achieved in the year 2081. “All of

this equality was due to… the unceasing

vigilance of the agents of the United States

Handicapper General” (Vonnegut). People like

George and Harrison Bergeron wear complex

handicaps. “To keep people like George from

taking an unfair advantage of their brains”

(Vonnegut).

Stand Alone Quote Correction: Lead-IN

Equality is achieved through the

“unceasing vigilance of the agents of the

United States Handicapper General”

(Vonnegut). People like George and

Harrison Bergeron wear complex handicaps

to prevent them from “taking an unfair

advantage of their brains” (Vonnegut).

Stand Alone Quote Correction: Lead-OUT

“The unceasing vigilance of the agents of

the United States Handicapper General”

ensures that equality is achieved and

enforced (Vonnegut). “To keep people…

from taking an unfair advantage of their

brains,” elaborate handicaps are issued to

gifted individuals (Vonnegut).

Stand Alone Quote Correction: Build a Sentence Around a Quoted

Idea

There is no requirement for the length

of the quote. Use only what you need.

The fact that everyone believes people

“ought to be a little more promiscuous…”

shows that the World Controllers have ruined

the importance of commitment (Huxley 43).

Stand Alone Quote Correction: Build a Sentence Around a Quoted

Idea

One of the distinguishing characteristics of

dystopian literature is that the “citizens must

conform to uniform expectations” and that

individuality is seen as a threat (“Dystopias:

Definitions and Characteristics”).

Stand Alone Quote Correction: Build a Sentence Around a Quoted

Idea

With each victory, “Beowulf [is] granted new

glory” which is evident in the riches he

earns, and his increasing fame (Beowulf

43).

When Paraphrasing …

Sometimes your own words work the best.

Paraphrase and include the citation at the end of

the paraphrase.

Since Gawain accepts his punishment and offers his neck

to the blade, the Green Knight considers Gawain to be

as pure as the day he was born (Gawain the Poet 221).

When Writing About Literature…

ALWAYS write in the present tense.

This is present tense…

Gawain lies to the lord of the castle when he shares the

kiss from the lady but hides the sash.

This is past tense… NEVER USE IT!

Gawain lied to the lord of the castle when he shared the

kiss from the lady but hid the sash.

THIS IS NOT A BOOK REPORT; NOBODY WANTS TO READ PLOT SUMMARY.

IT’S TIME FOR ANALYSIS

Follow-Up Analysis

It’s time for the follow-up analysis…

You’ve stated your example. You’ve set-up the

quote and it is imbedded in a sentence.

This is when you show the reader that your

example proves your overall thesis statement.

For every sentence you devote to stating the

example you need a least two sentences of

analysis.

Plot summary doesn’t prove the thesis, you have

to prove the thesis with analysis

Follow-Up Analysis

Beowulf’s pursuit of perfection depends upon his traits, which reflect the

important ideals of his society, including honor, fairness, and bravery. When

Beowulf volunteers to fight Grendel, he chooses to battle without using any

weapons. In the passage Beowulf says, “I have heard, too, that the monster’s

scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I”

(Beowulf Poet 38). This decision shows his bravery because Beowulf swears to

fight fairly and refuses to face his opponent with an unfair advantage. Even

though Beowulf wants what is best for his society, and the monster is much

more powerful than him, he cannot risk the shame of fighting dishonorably.

The idea of fighting with honor is a strongly held Anglo-Saxon value. Fighting

Grendel with weapons would tarnish Beowulf’s quest for perfection, since

people “might think less of [him] if [he] let [his] sword go where [his] feet were

afraid to…”( Beowulf Poet 38) Therefore, the hero’s quest for perfection must

be obtained honorably, fairly, and bravely.

AVOIDAVOID TRY THISTRY THISWhen you begin your follow-up

analysis, avoid repetitive and boring sentence starters.

X This quote proves…X As you can see…X In this situation, it proves …X “Harrison Bergeron” tells

how...X This quote from Brave New

World says... X I picked this quote because…

Refer to the actions, statements, and feelings of the characters.

Bernard’s actions are significant because…

Huxley’s warning shows that... This situation proves... The critic believes that... In other words, the poet is... The author warns us that… The character’s actions show…

Use Interesting Sentence Starters

Write your body paragraphs based on what you outlined.

Be sure to include:

• Topic sentence that relates to argument in thesis

• Stating the example from the story

• Building sentences around a quoted passages

• Follow-up analysis that proves thesis

• Transition sentence

Now it is your turn…