Using "Quotations", (Citations), and Paraphrases Effectively
Q - How do I tell readers where I'm getting my information from?
A – Whenever you're using a quotation or a paraphrase to support your argument, you need to tell your reader where your proof is coming from. The correct way to share this information with your reader is to use a 'citation', which is basically just a fancy way for saying 'page reference'.
When you use proof from a novel, you first need to identify "the author and the page on which the information is found" (Medd 13).After doing this once, you only need to identify the page on which you found the information (13). If the information you're citing is from a few pages in a row, you need to let the reader know which pages it takes place on (13-15). If, however, the information you're using is found on a few different non-consecutive pages, you need to let the reader know (3, 29, 121).
Q – So how exactly do I use a quote effectively?
1)Victor's creation suggested that the responsibility for his care and happiness lay solely with Victor. "Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mould me Man, did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me?" (20). The creature wasn't happy about being abandoned.
2)Furious about his abandonment, the creature asked Victor, "Did I question thee, Maker, from my clay to mould me Man, did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me" (20), simultaneously illustrating his innocence as an unwilling creation and implicating Victor for his duty to provide for the life that he created.
A – The wrong answer is example 1, because the quotation is basically an island to itself. It is not part of a sentence, and its significance is not clearly explained. A quote is only useful if it is chosen well, and if you clearly explain why it supports your argument.
The best answer is example 2, because the quote is built into a sentence that introduces the speaker (the creature), and then explains what the quote means (its significance), and why it supports your argument. A quotation should never be an "island" removed from the rest of your writing.
Q – When should I use a "direct quotation" from the novel?
A – You should only use quotations when they can add meaning to your essay. If you are just telling your reader that the creature hid out under a cottage and learned to read, then you don't need a quote ( a paraphrase with citation would be your best option):
The creature learned to read as he hid underneath the cottage (23,26).
If, however, you are trying to show your reader how badly the creature feels as a result of his abandonment, it might be better to use his own words:
"I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on"
Your assignment:
Write a body paragraph (with an introductory sentence) that answers the question: "How is Victor's quest for knowledge a bad thing?" Your answer must include a minimum of two paraphrases, and at least one SIGNIFICANT quote that shows the true extent of the damage caused by Victor's thoughtless quest to create life at all costs. All quotations and paraphrases must be cited properly, and must be effectively integrated into your own writing.THIS IS AN IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT.
Evaluation:
Knowledge of text:/10 marks
Proper citations:/10 marks
Quote selection:/10 marks
Quote integration:/10 marks
Supporting evidence:/10 marks
Use of paraphrasing:/10 marks
Style, spelling, grammar:/10 marks
Total Value: /70 marks
Rough Notes (keep this sheet for your own use):
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