The document provides guidance on properly embedding quotations in writing. It discusses avoiding "stranded quotations" or "island quotations" by introducing and analyzing quotations. Writers should paraphrase if the direct words are not essential, or use attribution tags like "he said." For embedded quotations, no punctuation is needed if the quote is seamlessly integrated into the sentence. Overall, the document emphasizes introducing and analyzing quotations to convey their significance rather than using them in isolation.

1. Embedding Quotations
AP English Language/Literature
Kortman
Adapted by J. Krajeck (2007) w/thanks to Dr. C. Butler, Sandy Valley
H.S.

2. Don’t … Strand Quotations!
 S.Q.’s are quotations with NO
home….NEVER begin a paragraph
with a quotation that has no
speaker or interpreted meaning
from YOU [as the writer]
 Stranded quotations are the
proverbial “fishes out of water.”
Also called “Island Quotations.”

3. Paraphrase or Summarize
 If the sentence is not quotation-worthy,
then use a paraphrase or summary type
sentence, e.g., George said that he
would never talk to his sister again.
 (It is not necessary for the audience to
know George’s exact words, only that
he will not be talking to his sister…thus,
George’s words are not “quotation-
worthy.)

4. He/ She said
 Simple sentence tag (Use of author/character
name is preferred: Hawthorne implies…)
 He said, “There is a full moon tonight.”
 Comma before quote
 Capitalize first word
 Period before end quote
 Use more precise terms for says: believes,
maintains, suggests, implies
 (This is typical “dialogue” style and does NOT
offer the “so what” analysis.)

5. Embedded sentence,Type I
 George said that “no one could
compare with the great LeBron James.”
 No comma before quote
 No cap for first word of quote
 No quotes if you change the line
completely: He said that he wanted to
go first.
 (However, notice that this type of
sentence does NOT offer the “so what”
feature.)

6. Embedded Sentence, Type II
 The fact that “Elizabeth wanted a gown
more beautiful than anyone else’s”
shows how vain she is.
 The line “Look upon my works, ye
mighty, and despair” captures the
arrogance of the ruler.
 * Now THESE embedded sentences
offer the “so what” feature. Identify the
“so what” in each.

7. Divided
“You are,” she said reluctantly,
“the best pitcher we have seen
yet.”
Comma before end quote
Comma before second half of
quote
No cap for second half

8. Speaker Details
John Smith, the author of
Chocolate Rules, believes,
“Nothing can take the place of
the simple M&M candy.”
Appositive
Comma on either side of
appositive

9. Intro summary (Colon)
 Frost repeats the last line to convey
a sense of weariness: “And I have
miles to go before I sleep. / And I
have miles to go before I sleep.”
 Full sentence before the colon that
summarizes idea of quote
 Full sentence for quote
 / means a line break for a poem

10. List of words
“Vile,” “gritty,” “torn,” and
“shabby” all suggest the
deterioration of the world
Winston lives in.
Quotes for each word
Commas before the end quotes

11. Embedded Phrases
Winston needed to show a face
of “quiet optimism” to conceal
his desire for revolution.
No commas
No capitalization