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Mrs. DiSalvo
English 9___
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Honors Critical Thinking Assignment
Assignment Summary: In English 9 Honors, students must complete this assignment two times
each quarter. The assignment will be typed, in MLA format, and is due on the date assigned in class.
Assignment
1. Find a block quote. A block quote should be four or more lines when typed in your paper, and it
should prompt a discussion of figurative language/literary elements, develop the theme of the
reading assignment, and include unique or powerful diction (word choice) and/or syntax
(sentence structure).
2. Cite the block quote. Use MLA format when citing each block quote. (See bottom of page for
rules.)
3. Respond to and analyze (not summarize!) the quote. Respond to each quote in a structured,
formal free-write that reveals your understanding of the passage. An incomplete response
demonstrates incomplete thought; make sure you thoroughly discuss the quote; do not summarize
the quote or the story! Responses should:
be 2-3 well-developed paragraphs
discuss the quote’s relevance within the overall work
analyze figurative language and/or literary elements present in the quote
establish how the quote supports or develops a theme of the reading assignment as a whole
examine unique syntax and/or diction within the quote
Remember, good writing always counts. Try to have fun with the writing – play, experiment,
develop your voice.
4. Due Date. Each block quote is due by the dates I assign, but you may turn in your block quotes
and responses as you complete them throughout the quarter.
Block Quote Rules
1. Block quotes are used only “if a quotation runs more than four lines in your paper” (Gibaldi 110).
2. Always use a colon at the end of the signal (introductory) phrase.
3. Quotation marks are not used to open/close block quotes.
4.All lines of the block quote are indented two Tabs (approximately 1 inch) from the left margin
and they run flush to the right margin. It is not acceptable for paragraph indentations and block
quote indentations to align; the block quote indentation must be deeper.
a. If you are citing more than one paragraph in your block quote, indent the beginning of the
new paragraph the required two Tabs plus an additional ¼ of an inch (about 5 more spaces).
b. If you are citing a block of text that contains a couple of lines of dialogue, keep the format as
it appears in the text and use double quotation marks only around the dialogue.
5. Punctuation goes at the end of the quote’s final sentence, before (not after) the in-text citation.
6. In MLA format, the block quote (along with the rest of your paper) is double-spaced. You are
permitted to single space on this assignment in the interest of saving paper.
7. When using a block quote from a verse play (e.g. Shakespeare) or poetry, maintain the writer’s
lines of text, spacing, punctuation, etc.
My Example of a Prose Block Quote (from To Kill a Mockingbird)
High above us in the darkness a solitary mocker poured out his repertoire in
blissful unawareness of whose tree he sat in, plunging from the shrill kee, kee of
the sunflower bird to the irascible qua-ack of a bluejay, to the sad lament of Poor
Will, Poor Will, Poor Will. (Lee 255)
My Example of a Response (for the above block quote)
Fear comes in all kinds of disguises. Harper Lee brings the reader into the chapter by
setting its ghostly stage. The children feel the darkness. They feel the isolation. Night cloaks
them as if to protect them. Yet, they feel the contrast of the “shrill sunflower bird” call
juxtaposed with the “sad lament” of the whippoorwill, causing the children to hesitate for a
moment. The moment builds the tension. The moment builds the fear. The children feel the air
tighten as they walk towards home. The reader knows that Lee uses her imagery to foreshadow
the danger that walks towards the children. Every one of her words counts. Every “kee, kee”
builds tension. (*Note – In the next paragraphs, literary terms, themes, and diction/syntax
would be referenced.)
The in-text citation uses the
author’s last name and the
act, scene, and line
numbers, separated by
periods, but no spaces.
My Example of a Verse Play Block Quote (from Romeo and Juliet)
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she! (Shakespeare 2.2.2-6)
My Example of an Epic Poem Block Quote (from the Odyssey)
Cyclops,
if ever mortal man inquire
how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him
Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye:
Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca! (Homer 9.415-419)
My Example of a Poetry Block Quote (from Poe’s “Annabel Lee”)
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee; –
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me. (Poe lines 1-6)
When quoting a line of
poetry, keep the line breaks
and spacing as they appear in
the text. The in-text citation
uses the poet’s last name and
the book and line numbers,
separated by a period, but
without a space.
The in-text citation includes
the poet’s last name and uses
the line numbers, with the
word lines in the first
reference.
Formatting Your Block Quote and Response
You have two options for how to format your block quote and response. Remember, you
may choose to single-space or double-space this assignment.
Block Quote Format #1
Notice that the block quote is formatted correctly – each line is indented one-inch (2
Tabs), there are no quotation marks around the quote, and the in-text citation (Author’s Last
Name and page number) appear outside the end punctuation.
Your Last Name Page #
Your Name
Teacher’s Name
English 9H
Date
Title
My Quote
High above us in the darkness a solitary mocker poured out his repertoire in
blissful unawareness of whose tree he sat in, plunging from the shrill kee, kee of
the sunflower bird to the irascible qua-ack of a bluejay, to the sad lament of Poor
Will, Poor Will, Poor Will. (Lee 255)
My Response
Fear comes in all kinds of disguises. Harper Lee brings the reader into the chapter by
setting its ghostly stage. The children feel the darkness. They feel the isolation. Night cloaks
them as if to protect them. Yet, they feel the contrast of the “shrill sunflower bird” call
juxtaposed with the “sad lament” of the whippoorwill, causing the children to hesitate for a
moment. The moment builds the tension. The moment builds the fear. The children feel the air
tighten as they walk towards home. The reader knows that Lee uses her imagery to foreshadow
the danger that walks towards the children. Every one of her words counts. Every “kee, kee”
builds tension.
(*Note – In the next paragraphs, literary terms and themes would be referenced.)
Block Quote Format #2
Notice that instead of labeling the quote and the response, I have added an introductory
paragraph in which I’ve placed the block quote. Also notice that the quote is introduced by a
“signal phrase” which ends with a colon.
Your Last Name Page #
Your Name
Teacher’s Name
English 9H
Date
Title
Harper Lee discusses many different aspects of human nature in To Kill a Mockingbird.
The children, Scout and Jem, learn about the darker side of human nature through the events and
characters in the novel. One night as they walk home, Scout notes:
High above us in the darkness a solitary mocker poured out his repertoire in
blissful unawareness of whose tree he sat in, plunging from the shrill kee, kee of
the sunflower bird to the irascible qua-ack of a bluejay, to the sad lament of Poor
Will, Poor Will, Poor Will. (Lee 255)
She focuses not only on the various bird calls, but also on the importance of “whose tree” the
mocker has chosen. This tree reminds readers again of the mystery and fear connected to Boo
Radley.
Fear comes in all kinds of disguises. Harper Lee brings the reader into the chapter by
setting its ghostly stage. The children feel the darkness. They feel the isolation. Night cloaks
them as if to protect them. Yet, they feel the contrast of the “shrill sunflower bird” call
juxtaposed with the “sad lament” of the whippoorwill, causing the children to hesitate for a
moment. The moment builds the tension. The moment builds the fear. The children feel the air
tighten as they walk towards home. The reader knows that Lee uses her imagery to foreshadow
the danger that walks towards the children. Every one of her words counts. Every “kee, kee”
builds tension.
(*Note – In the next paragraphs, literary terms and themes would be referenced.)