Why You Need to Use Quotes
- Okay, real talk: you can’t just say something happens in a text and expect the examiner to be like “Cool, I believe you.” This isn’t casual gossip. It’s IB English. You need receipts.
- And in literature, your receipts = quotes.
- Quotes prove that you’re not just making things up. They show:
- That you actually read the text (yes, examiners can tell)
- That you can select meaningful moments, not just drop random lines
- That you understand how language creates meaning, not just what happened
If your point is the claim, then a quote is the proof. Without it, your paragraph is just an opinion in a suit. With it, it’s persuasive and analytical.
1. Integrate the Quote Smoothly
- Embed the quote naturally into your sentence so it reads as part of your own writing.
- Avoid simply "dropping" the quote.
Example
- Ineffective:
- In line 18, the author writes, “The city streets were littered with broken glass, echoing the chaos that had unfolded hours earlier.”
- Improved:
- In line 18, the phrase “littered with broken glass” symbolises the aftermath of destruction and reinforces the theme of urban decay.
- Why this works:
- Short, integrated quotes preserve sentence flow and allow you to focus your analysis directly.
2. Modify the Quote for Clarity
- You may:
- Use square brackets to add or change words (e.g. tense, pronouns).
- Use ellipses to omit irrelevant parts.
Example
- Original quote:
- “The lanterns flickered like distant stars, casting golden halos over the snow-covered road, quiet and empty.”
- Modified example:
- The simile “flickered like distant stars” and the image of “golden halos” (line 12) transform the winter scene into a dreamlike memory.
- Why this works:
- Only the relevant words are quoted, keeping the sentence focused and concise.
3. Provide Brief Context
- Before or around your quote, include minimal context so the quote makes sense to the reader.
Example
- Ineffective:
- The phrase “she let go” implies detachment and emotional numbness.
- Improved:
- After her argument with her mother, the phrase “she let go” (line 22) suggests both physical release and emotional resignation.
- Why this works:
- A few words of context clarify the speaker, action, or situation, making your analysis more coherent.
4. Use Line Numbers Clearly
- You can present line numbers in two ways.
- Be consistent.
Example
- In the sentence:
- In lines 10–12, the narrator reflects on his guilt...
- In parentheses:
- The metaphor “a silence louder than screams” (line 14) highlights repression.
- Why this works:
- Citing line numbers shows precision and aligns with IB expectations.
5. Combine All Elements in One Sentence
Example
- Quote:
- “The sun vanished behind the hills as the boy trudged forward, the wind biting at his cheeks.”
- Effective integration:
- In line 27, the disappearing sun and the “wind bit[ing] at his cheeks” reflect the boy’s isolation, with the personification of the wind highlighting nature’s emotional indifference.
- Why this works:
- The quote is integrated, modified for clarity, supported by context, and properly cited, all within a single analytical sentence.
6. Quote Integration
Example
- Prompt
- How does the writer use imagery to convey the character’s emotional state?
- Bad Integration
- In line 17, the author writes, “She stood frozen at the edge of the platform, the train’s lights blinding her,” which shows that she is scared and doesn’t know what to do.
What’s wrong:
- The quote is dropped awkwardly and interrupts the flow.
- The analysis is vague (“shows that she is scared”).
- No technique is identified (e.g., visual imagery).
- Lacks context for the moment in the passage.
Example
Good Integration (PEEL Structure)
- Point: The author uses vivid visual imagery to reflect the protagonist’s emotional paralysis in the face of uncertainty.
- Evidence (Integrated): In line 17, the description of how “she stood frozen at the edge of the platform” while “the train’s lights blind[ed] her” evokes a sense of mental overload and fear.
- Explanation: The imagery of the “blinding” lights and the character being “frozen” symbolises her internal conflict and sense of powerlessness, suggesting she feels overwhelmed by the decision ahead of her.
- Link: This effectively illustrates how the author uses external, sensory details to mirror the protagonist’s internal emotional state.
Key Takeaways
| Bad Integration | Good Integration |
|---|---|
| Drops the quote without context | Embeds the quote smoothly in the sentence |
| Doesn’t identify a technique | Names and analyzes the literary device |
| Analysis is vague or shallow | Explains how the quote supports the point |
| No clear link to the thesis | Clearly connects to the writer’s purpose |
