Toolkit Quote Integration

Quotations should be envisioned as helium balloons.
If a helium balloon is released without being secured, it flies away.
This same phenomenon occurs in writing when a quotation stands entirely by itself, failing to be "held down" by the writer's own words and ideas.
A quotation that lacks integration will seem disconnected from the writer's own thoughts and the logical flow of the sentences.

This method involves introducing a quotation with a complete sentence followed by a colon.
Writers must use their own words to introduce the speaker, the audience, and the subject of the message before the colon is placed.
It is essential to ensure that the lead-in is a complete thought.
This is considered a crafty approach because it allows the writer to introduce necessary SOAPSTONE elements to the audience while simultaneously utilizing direct textual evidence.
Examples of Method 1:
- Kennedy clearly alerts his global audience to how America will function as an aggressive, yet sympathetic power under his leadership: “we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend” ( $283$ ).
- At the start of his address, Kennedy reiterates to the American people just how much has changed since Washington first took office: “the world is very different now” ( $281$ ).

Integration is achieved by using the speaker’s last name, a strong verb, and a comma.
This is categorized as the most overused and basic method of quote integration, providing the least opportunity for a writer to demonstrate high-level writing and thinking skills.
To elevate this basic technique, a sentence can be started with a subordinating conjunction to provide clearer context for the reader.
Examples of Method 2:
- When discussing his inauguration Kennedy notes, “we observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom” ( $283$ ).
- Kennedy promises, “the loyalty of faithful friends” to countries allied with the United States ( $283$ ).
- When establishing his goals for his inaugural address Kennedy notes, “we observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom” ( $283$ ).

This technique involves using short quotations (defined as $6$ words or less) as an integrated part of the writer's own original sentence.
This is the most impressive and "most crafty" way to integrate quotations, as it ensures the writer is thoughtfully selecting quotes that perform significant argumentative work.
When integrating in this manner, no special punctuation (such as colons or commas before the quote) is used. The sentence should be punctuated exactly as it would be if all the words were the writer's own.
This method provides detailed background about the text’s summary and/or message alongside the short quote.
Examples of Method 3:
- Because of the heightened conflict with the Soviet Union, Kennedy acknowledges that Americans are “tempered by war” ( $283$ ).
- Kennedy recognizes that both America and the USSR are “great and powerful” in the nuclear arms race ( $283$ ).

It is critical to quote selectively, using only the portions of the text that are specifically relevant to the point being made.
If only $3$ words are required to prove a point, the writer should not quote an entire sentence.
Selected words should be incorporated into an original sentence that expresses personal ideas.
The primary focus should always be on original thoughts and analyses rather than what the author wrote in their text. Quotations should be selected and analyzed with this priority in mind.

Integration methods are ranked by their level of sophistication:
- Least Crafty (Way # $2$ ): Speaker’s name + strong verb + comma + quote.
- Moderately Crafty (Way # $1$ ): Complete sentence + colon + quote.
- Most Crafty (Way # $3$ ): Working a short quote into your sentence with no additional punctuation.

Good: https://facultyweb.ivcc.edu/rrambo/eng1001 /quotes.htm
Better: htps://www.unr.edu/writing- speaking-center/student-resources/writing- speaking-resources/quote-integration
Great: https://natureofwriting.com/courses/essay- writing/lessons/using- quotations/topic/integrating-quotations-part- 1-mla/