CUTTING, EMBEDDING, AND
ANALYZING QUOTES FROM A
TEXT
Context, Evidence, Connection
Cutting Quotes


Sometimes quotes we want to use are too long or it
is unclear who is speaking or is being spoken about.
When this happens we need to edit and cut the
quote.
Cutting Example
Full Text


The full text of this
passage is three
paragraphs long.
Why do you think the
writer chose to focus on
these particular pieces
of the passages?
We use […] to show the missing
words.

"The darkness enveloped
us... I don't know how long
he played. I was overcome
by sleep. When I awoke...
I saw Juliek facing me,
hunched over, dead. Next
to him lay his violin,
trampled, an eerily
poignant little corpse"
(95).
Adding Info


In this quote we need to know that Elie is speaking
and we can add his name in [brackets].
Near the middle of the book Elie loses his faith
and"[he] ceased to pray. [Elie] was not denying His
existence, but [he] doubted His absolute justice"
(45).
Embedding Quotes



Once the quotes are selected and cut, the next step
is to embed them smoothly into the text.
This means that you will create a short introductory
phrase to smoothly lead your reader into the actual
text from the novel.
It is usually context information as to who is
speaking this line and when.
Embedding Quotes


When embedding quotes it is important that there is
enough background information so that the reader
can follow along.
At the same time too much background information
will only distract. The quote must read like a
sentence and should flow naturally.
Embedding Quotes: Examples
Quote Plopping: Insufficient-1

“The night was pitch
black. From time to time
a shot exploded in the
darkness. They had
orders to shoot anyone
who could not sustain the
pace... a quick shot
eliminated the filthy
dog" (85).
Developing-2
Elie says, "The night was
pitch black. From time to
time a shot exploded in
the darkness. They had
orders to shoot anyone
who could not sustain the
pace... a quick shot
eliminated the filthy dog"
(85).
Embedding Quotes: Examples
Proficient-3

When Elie and the men in the
camp where being transferred
elsewhere, he describes the
harshness of the Kapos and
officers. He says, "The night
was pitch black. From time to
time a shot exploded in the
darkness. They had orders to
shoot anyone who could not
sustain the pace... a quick shot
eliminated the filthy dog"
(85).
Sophisticated-2

While Elie is being
transferred from a camp he
describes the violence of the
kapos by saying “The night
was pitch black. From time to
time a shot exploded in the
darkness. They had orders to
shoot anyone who could not
sustain the pace... a quick shot
eliminated the filthy dog"
(85).
Analysis of Text



Most important part of the analysis!
Without this all of the best quotes and best topics
will fall flat.
This is the part where you, the author, puts in your
ideas on the topic.
In the beginning of Night, when asked by his mentor why he
prayed, Elie says, "Why did I pray? Strange question. Why did I
live? Why did I breathe?" (4).
Insufficient-1

Elie’s faith is very strong.
What is the difference
between the examples?
Developing-2

Praying was basic to
Elie's daily life.
In the beginning of Night, when asked by his mentor why he
prayed, Elie says, "Why did I pray? Strange question. Why did I
live? Why did I breathe?" (4).
Proficient- 3

Praying was just as
basic to Elie's daily life
as living and
breathing, and also
just as important.
Sophisticated- 4

Praying was just as basic
to Elie's daily life as living
and breathing. It is clear
because he puts breath, a
routine process for
survival, on the same level
as prayer. He
understands prayer to be
something that he cannot
live without.