Nesting QuotesNesting Quotes

A TutorialA Tutorial

Lead-insLead-ins

Every quote should have an Every quote should have an appropriate lead-in that explains appropriate lead-in that explains the the SITUATIONSITUATION and and SPEAKERSPEAKER (if (if applicable):applicable):

When When Wang Lung returned from the Wang Lung returned from the SouthSouth, , he saidhe said to Ching, “Tomorrow to Ching, “Tomorrow . . .” . . .”

Proper PunctuationProper Punctuation

If your lead-in is a complete If your lead-in is a complete sentence, use a sentence, use a coloncolon before the before the quote.quote.

– Wang Lung is distressed by the droughtWang Lung is distressed by the drought:: If your lead-in is an introductory If your lead-in is an introductory

phrase or clause or introduces phrase or clause or introduces someone speaking, use a someone speaking, use a commacomma..– When O-lan sees the boys laughing When O-lan sees the boys laughing

while they beg, she sayswhile they beg, she says,, “ “

Proper PunctuationProper Punctuation

Roll the quote into your own Roll the quote into your own sentence. This requires sentence. This requires no no punctuationpunctuation..– Wang Lung wanted Wang Lung wanted to “goto “go back . . .” back . . .”

Always give the page number at Always give the page number at the end of the quote. Notice the the end of the quote. Notice the punctuationpunctuation..– After the family returns from the After the family returns from the

South, “O-lan in the house was not South, “O-lan in the house was not idleidle” (145).” (145).

Give CommentaryGive Commentary

Explain how the author’s Explain how the author’s presentation of the quote give us presentation of the quote give us insight into her insight into her overall messageoverall message. . – This shows O-lan was industrious This shows O-lan was industrious

and that Wang Lung could not live and that Wang Lung could not live without her. Buck wants readers to without her. Buck wants readers to understand that even though understand that even though women were looked down upon in women were looked down upon in Chinese society, Chinese society, they were often the they were often the core and strength of the familycore and strength of the family..