Embedding Quotations Quiz

Directions: After completing our practice worksheet on embedding

quotations, please take this short quiz to see how much you know
about embedded quotes. For the multiple-choice questions, choose
only one option as your answer. For question #5, however, you may
choose TWO options. Good luck!
1. Which of the following is NOT a good method for embedding or
incorporating a quote into your sentence?
A. Provide context for the quote
Feedback: No, providing context for the quote is a good
method, as context is often needed for the reader to make
sense of the quote.
B. Use the words of the quote grammatically within your own
sentence
Feedback: No, using the words of the quote to fit your own
sentence is an excellent method for embedding a quotation.
A good example: Thoreau argues that "shams and delusions
are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is fabulous."
C. Interrupt the quote with an attribution to the speaker
Feedback: No, interrupting might sound like a bad word, but
attributing the quotation to the speaker before the quote is
over is a sound method.
D. Leave the quote as a sentence unto itself
Feedback: You got the right answer! Leaving the quote as
sentence unto itself with no context or attribution to the
author should be a warning sign that you are not correctly
embedding a quotation.

2. Decide if the following statement is true or false:

Explaining the significance of your quote is not necessary.

True:
Feedback: No, you really do need to explain the significance of
the quotation in some way. You cant just throw it in there and
hope that it will explain itself.
False:
Feedback: Yes! Explaining your quote IS a must. However, many
students sometimes announce their intentions within their paper,
and this method must be avoided. Example: I am going to
explain what this important quote from Abraham Lincoln
signifies.

3. Decide if the following statement is true or false:

It is never permissible to change a word or words within a
quotation for the sake of clarity and flow.
True:
Feedback: No, it actually is permissible, but should be done
rarely. You may alter the words of the author slightly to fit the
flow of your sentence but you must use brackets to show where
you made the changes.
False:
Feedback: You are correct. Just dont forget: while it is
permissible, you should do so sparingly. You must use brackets
to show where you made the changes.

4. Which of the following methods is NOT a way to embed a

quotation?
A. Introducing the quotation with a complete sentence and a
colon

Feedback: No, this method is a good one. Example: Thoreau

ends his essay with a metaphor: "Time is but the stream I go
a-fishing in."

B. Using an introductory or explanatory phrase, but not a

complete sentence, separated from the quotation with
a comma
Feedback: No, this method is also a good one.
Example: Thoreau asks, "Why should we live with such hurry
and waste of life?"

C. Placing the quotation at the end of a paragraph after

explaining a concept/idea
Feedback: You are right. This is not a method at all,
really. Poorly placed quotations can interrupt your flow
or seem disconnected from the rest of your paragraph.
D. Using short quotations as part of your own sentence
Feedback: No, this is a good method, also. Example:
Although Thoreau "drink[s] at" the stream of Time, he can
"detect how shallow it is."

5. Choose TWO of the options below (by putting a check mark

in the blank) that show GOOD examples of embedded
quotations. These quotations are from real-life student
examples.

Option#1: The novel went on to say, "He wouldn't consider it. He

couldn't possibly leave Daisy until he knew what she was going to do."
(148)
______

Feedback: No, this is not a good example because it contains a vague

introductory phrase.
Option #2: When narrator Nick Carraway insists that the experiences
from the past can't be recreated, Gatsby responds, 'Can't repeat the
past?Why of course you can!I'm going to fix everything just the
way it was before'(Fitzgerald 110).
______

Feedback: Good! This is a nice example because the writer includes a

strong introductory phrase that provides context.
Option #3: In light of Fitzgeralds masterfully orchestrated satire of
traditional ideals, The Great Gatsby, let us not fail to learn from the
authors Romantic hero whose unrealistic dreams left him borne back
ceaselessly into the past (180).
______

Feedback: Good! This is also a well-written sentence. The writer has a

good introductory phrase that provides context and also grammatically
incorporates the quotations into his sentence with phrase who
unrealistic dreams left him
Option #4: Some would think that as fine, and appreciate it, but
others, like Tom Buchanan saw action of the sort in a very negative
way. 'She's not leaving me! Tom's words suddenly leaned down over

Gatsby. 'Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the
ring he put on her finger.' (133)
______

Feedback: No, this is not a good example of an embedded quotation

because the introductory or explanatory phrase that provides context
is a separate sentence.

References:
http://www2.ivcc.edu/rambo/eng1001/quotes.htm
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/quotations/