2. Step 1: Choose and Copy a Quotation
The most important part of the
process is finding a quote that
effectively supports your
position, idea, or statement.
When copying a quotation, be
sure you double-check the
accuracy of the wording.
**Note the page number and
year of publication. This will
help save time when creating
your in-text citation.
3. Step 2: Write a Sentence to Introduce
the Quotation
Why does a writer need to introduce a
quote?
Introducing the quotation puts the quotation
into context and helps the reader understand
why the quote is being included.
What is the position that will be supported
by the quotation?
Example: Pilkings has a lack of respect for the
Yoruba traditions.
Now write a complete sentence that clearly
explains the example you will provide.
Example: When Pilkings is first introduced, he
is wearing a Engungun costume which he
sees as having no real meaning.
4. Step 3:
Attach a
Signal
Phrase to the
Quotation
A signal phrase helps ease the reader
into your chosen quotation. It does
not need to be complex; a few words
or orient the reader will suffice.
Signal Phrase: This is clear when Amusa
asks Pilkings to remove the costume
and he replies by saying,
Quotation: “Well, I’ve got it on. And
what’s more Jane and I have bet on it
we’re taking first prize at the ball”
5. Step 4: Write Your Sentence and Add an
In-text Citation
In-text citations for our textbook are as
follows:
(author last name, original year of
publication/date of textbook publication,
p. # on which your quote appears)
This is clear when Amusa asks Pilkings to
remove the costume and he replies by
saying, “Well, I’ve got it on. And what’s
more Jane and I have bet on it we’re
taking first prize at the ball” (Soyinka,
1975/2018, p. 963).
6. Step 5: Follow Up Your Quote with a
Sentence
• After providing the support for your idea, remind your readers of your original point.
Remind
• This is clear when Amusa asks Pilkings to remove the costume and he replies by saying,
“Well, I’ve got it on. And what’s more Jane and I have bet on it we’re taking first prize at the
ball” (Soyinka, 1975/2018, p. 963).
Signal Phrase
and Quotation:
• This shows that Pilkings does not believe the Engungun has any cultural importance or
significance.
Follow-Up
Sentence:
7. Step 6: Put It
All Together
Pilkings has a lack of respect for the Yoruba traditions.
When Pilkings is first introduced, he is wearing a
Engungun costume which he sees as having no real
meaning. This is clear when Amusa asks Pilkings to
remove the costume and he replies by saying, “Well,
I’ve got it on. And what’s more Jane and I have bet on
it we’re taking first prize at the ball” (Soyinka,
1975/2018, p. 963). This shows that Pilkings does not
believe the Engungun has any cultural importance or
significance.
8. Step 7: Include a Reference Citation
The format used for reference citations for APA 7th edition is as follows:
Author, A.A., & B.B. (Year of textbook publication). Title. In A. Editor & B. Editor
(Eds.), Title of book (edition, Vol. #, inclusive page numbers). Norton. (original year
of publication).
Soyika, W. (2018). Death and the king’s horseman. In Puchner (Ed.), The Norton anthology of world literature, Vol F. (4th ed.)
(p. 963). New York, NY: Norton. (Original work published 1975)
9. The Finished Product
Pilkings has a lack of respect for the Yoruba traditions. When Pilkings is first introduced, he is
wearing a Engungun costume which he sees as having no real meaning. This is clear when Amusa
asks Pilkings to remove the costume and he replies by saying, “Well, I’ve got it on. And what’s
more Jane and I have bet on it we’re taking first prize at the ball” (Soyinka, 1975/2018, p. 963).
This shows that Pilkings does not believe the Engungun has any cultural importance or
significance.
Soyika, W. (2018). Death and the king’s horseman. In Puchner (Ed.), The Norton anthology of
world literature, Vol F. (4th ed.) (p. 963). New York, NY: Norton. (Original work published 1975)
10. How To Cite Editorial Information
If you are using material from the editors of your textbook (e.g., the biographical information
about an author or a footnote), use this format:
In-text citation: (Levine et al., 2017, p. 484)
Reference citation:
Levine, R.S., Elliott, M.A., Gustafson, S.M., Hungerford, A., & Loeffelholz, M. (Eds.), The
Norton anthology of American literature (Shorter 9th ed., Vol. 1) Norton.
