1. Before you use a quote in your paper as evidence, you must first introduce it so that the reader knows it’s coming and you can transition smoothly from your thoughts to evidence or information from your source. It is important to introduce your quote so you do not confuse your reader about its relevance or appropriateness.
2. After you incorporate the quote into the paper, you will want to provide it with not only an analysis of the quotation but also an explanation for why it’s important. Think of your quote and its analysis as the meat, cheese, lettuce, and condiments of a sandwich: these are the key items that you want to address so your reader knows why you chose the quote. The amount of discussion varies on the length of the quote. Sometimes students find it useful to write at least three or four good sentences to fully explain or analyze the quote. Also, if you are using a block quote, you will want to begin your discussion of the quote without any indentations and resume typing in a double-spaced format.
3. Lastly, ask yourself: how does the quote connect to your thesis or the main point that you’re making in the paragraph? This is where that other slice of bread becomes handy. You want to conclude your discussion of the quote with a statement that refers back to your thesis or main point of the paragraph. This slice of bread, or final statement, ties your thoughts and the evidence together more cohesively.
