INCORPORATING QUOTES IN LITERARY WRITING SSQS Method Character

INCORPORATING QUOTES IN LITERARY WRITING SS(Q)S Method

Character Analysis Prompt This assignment is a character analysis essay in which you will analyze a character’s traits from To Kill a Mockingbird and how the character develops over the course of the novel. Must be 4 -5 paragraphs, include a thesis, and include at least 6 quotes.

Using Quotations Why do you need quotes in your essay? In literary analysis you need to use quotations to support your thesis. You can strengthen your argument by using quotations whenever and wherever they directly support a point. In order to use quotes, you cannot just “throw” your quotes into the paragraph; you must incorporate them correctly.

Using Quotations SSS method of incorporating quotes S = speaker S = situation (Q) = quote S = Significance

SS(Q)S Method Speaker – who is saying the quote Situation – what is going on at the time the quote is being said Quote – your concrete detail to support your thesis Significance – how the quote proves your thesis

SS(Q)S Method: Example Miss Maudie Atkinson is an optimistic character. When Jem and Scout create an oddlooking snowman to represent her, Miss Maudie is not offended. “Miss Maudie opened her front door…suddenly she grinned” (90). Although other neighbors may have taken offense, Miss Maudie laughs it off. Another example of Miss Maudie’s optimism is when her house catches fire and all her belongings are burned to ashes. She says, “Why, I’ll build me a little house…gracious I’ll have the finest yard in Alabama” (97). Miss Maudie sees the best in her

SS(Q)S Method: Example Miss Maudie Atkinson is an optimistic character. When Jem and Scout create an oddlooking snowman to represent her, Miss Maudie is not offended. “Miss Maudie opened her front door…suddenly she grinned” (90). Although other neighbors may have taken offense, Miss Maudie laughs it off. Another example of Miss Maudie’s optimism is when her house catches fire and all her belongings are burned to ashes. She says, “Why, I’ll build me a little house…gracious I’ll have the finest yard in Alabama” (97). Miss Maudie sees the best in her

SS(Q)S SIGNIFICANCE Do not say: “The significance of this quote is…” “This quote means…” “This quote proves…” Do say: Jump right into your analysis by just explaining what the quote means Your significance may be 1 -2 sentences in length

SS(Q)S Method In order to have a fully developed body paragraph your paragraph should have the following: o o o Topic Sentence SS(Q)S Transition SS(Q)S Concluding Sentence (optional)

MLA Citations of Quotations How do you cite quotations using MLA format? For this particular essay, the only item you will need in your parenthesis is page numbers because all quotes are from the same source. Punctuation comes AFTER the citation (parenthesis) “We ain’t no business people, Ruth. We just plain working folks” (42). You will use the act and line numbers. EXAMPLE: Exceptions – if the quote ends with a question mark or exclamation point, include the punctuation and then place a period after the parenthesis