Integrating literary sources: Quotation sandwiching (MLA
style)
The example (taken from Dr. Huangàdissertation) is color-coded:
Argument is red
Evidence is blue
Analysis (interpretation of the text) is green
Claim/Argument
Your topic sentence for this paragraph
presents your argument
Introduce quotation
Provide context for the quotation. This
may be strictly evidence, or it can
include some analysis.
Quotation/evidence
Direct quotation from text, using ellipsis
(`or brackets [to change words or word
endings] as needed
Citation and period
Before Rodriguez begins his formal schooling,
Spanish provides a safe harbor for developing
ethnic identity within his family.
When he ventures out into his Englishspeaking neighborhood, he feels his
separateness in
(e sounds of the gringo¯reign to me²eminding me that in this world so big, I was
a foreigner¨15).
(Authoràlast name and page number)
OR (bbreviated Title!nd page
number). If you mentioned the author
or title earlier, you don need it in the
parentheses. If the source is a web
source without pages, you don need a
page number.
Analysis/ Interpretation,
significance
Presents your interpretation of the
quotationàmeaning and connects it to
your claim
Although the ïrld so big4hat he encounters
is limited to his English-speaking
neighborhood, whiteness pervades the world at
large, and its cultural imperatives in an
American context insist that Rodriguez
understand and speak English.
Putting together such a grid can be a useful exercise; when you have your ideas and
your source information laid out this way, assembling a paragraph can be much easier.
See the following paragraph.
SAMPLE COMPLETED PARAGRAPH WITH QUOTATION SANDWICH
Before Rodriguez begins his formal schooling, Spanish provides a safe harbor for
developing ethnic identity within his family. When he ventures out into his Englishspeaking neighborhood, he feels his separateness in (e sounds of the gringo¯reign
to me¥minding me that in this world so big, I was a foreigner(15). Although the
ïrld so big4hat he encounters is limited to his English-speaking neighborhood,
whiteness pervades the world at large, and its cultural imperatives in an American
context insist that Rodriguez understand and speak English. Upon returning home,
Rodriguez purposefully lingers outside the open door to savor the sound of his mother
speaking Spanish and waits for her to call to him in their home language: Is that you,
Richard? ll the while her sounds would assure me: You are home now; come closer; inside.
With us. é, reply. Once more inside the house I would resume (assume) my place in the
family(16). The welcome home in Spanish affirms Rodriguezàidentity because only
intimates would understand the invitation that inheres in the sound of his motheràvoice.
These sounds also prompt him to confirm his membership in the family. In response to his
motheràquestion, Rodriguez voices his own inclusion. The scene is a ritual in which
Rodriguez experiences the pleasure of reaffirming an identity conferred by parental authority.
Try making your own quotation sandwich by providing context before and
interpretation after a source that you¥ chosen to use in your writing. Hereàa blank
grid. Keep in mind that the grid is intended to be a flexible guide. You may choose to
make adaptations based on your sources and your purpose.
Claim
Your topic sentence for this paragraph
presents your argument
Introduce quotation
Provide context for the quotation
Quotation/evidence
Direct quotation from text, using ellipsis
(`or brackets [to change words or word
endings] as needed
Citation and period
(Authoràlast name and page number)
OR (bbreviated Title!nd page
number). If you mentioned the author
or title earlier, you don need it in the
parentheses. If the source is a web
source without pages, you don need a
page number.
Analysis/ Interpretation,
significance
Presents your interpretation of the
quotationàmeaning and connects it to
your claim

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