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