Quotations must be copied exactly, with the original spelling and punctuation. Use an ellipsis (…) for words you leave out and square brackets [ ] for words you add to make the grammar fit.
Choose quotations that directly prove your claim. To show that the phone box offered privacy, “where you could close a door and speak to one” is far stronger than “a red full stop”.
Short quotations are easier to analyse and embed. In comparative essays, choose pairs of quotations that illuminate each other.
Worked example
Which quotation best supports “Ozymandias was a cruel ruler”? A: “lone and level sands” B: “sneer of cold command”
- A describes the desert.
- B describes the king's expression and manner.
Answer:B: “sneer of cold command”
Key words
- ellipsis
- … showing words left out
- square brackets
- [ ] for words added to a quotation
- illuminate
- make clearer
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: W.9-10.8