Direct Quotes

Direct quotes...

1. Repeat EXACTLY what the author said.

2. Do NOT leave room for your own thoughts or words

3. Will REQUIRE quotation marks

Quotations at the BEGINNING of a sentence..

1. Here your quotation marks will go in front of the first word in the sentence AND at the end.

2. Ending punctuation will ALWAYS go in the INSIDE of your quote.

3. Example: "Kwama Alexander wrote many books."

When used as evidence...

Direct quotes need...

1. To ALWAYS begin with a "lead in line or transition phrase"

   Examples of these are

   A. According to the text.

   B. The authors states

   C. INSERT AUTHORS NAME writes

   D. In INSERT TEXT NAME it states

Common Rule #1

When drafting your evidence always remember to...

1. Place your coma AFTER your lead in or transition phrase..

   Example: The text states, "You'll walk again sweet Papa. All on your own, you will."

Common Rule #2

If your quote is at the end of a sentence, exclamation point, or a question mark...

1. All punctuation will go INSIDE of the quotation mark.

   Example: "You'll walk again, sweet papa. All on your own, you will!"

Common Rule #3

If the quote is NOT the end of a sentence you will need to...

1. Place a comma INSIDE of the quotations and then complete the sentence.

   Example: "Langston Hughes wrote over 800 poems throughout his life," but my favorite is Mother to Son!

After you complete your quote

After you complete your quote..

1. ALWAYS go back to check that you've done all that is expected pf you.

2. Follow this short checklist

   • Did I start with a transition?

   • Did I place my quotation marks where they need to be?

   • Did I explain how my quote ties directly to my thesis or my stance of the topic?