Writing Tips: Quotations

One of the most common mistakes I see in papers is what is known as the “hit and run” quotation.   Below is a sample “hit and run” quotation:

Susan Bordo writes about women and dieting.   “Fiji is just one example.   Until television was introduced in 1995, the islands had no reported cases of eating disorders.   In 1998, three years after programs from the United States and Britain began broadcasting there, 62 percent of the girls surveyed reported dieting” (149-50).
            I think Bordo is right.   Another point Bordo makes is . . . .

In “hit and run” quotations, the writer either (1) fails to adequately prepare the reader for the quotation or (2) fails to elaborate and connect the quotation to whatever point the writer is trying to make or (3) both.

Avoid “hit and run” quotations by utilizing the “quotation sandwich.”  

•  The quotation sandwich begins with the top slice of bread where the writer provides the lead-in to the quotation.   In the lead-in, the writer typically introduces who is speaking by identifying/credentialing the source (renowned screenwriter Robert Towne) and sets up the reader for the quotation.

•  The quotation itself is the meat of the sandwich.   The trick here is to identify the best part of the quote and to only include the bare minimum.   By so doing, you maximize the quotation's effectiveness.

•  The bottom slice of bread is the where you elaborate on the quotation by noting what you think it means and why it is important.

Compare the “quotation sandwich” below to the “hit and run” quotation above:   

The feminist philosopher Susan Bordo deplores the hold that the Western obsession with dieting has on women.   Her basic argument is that increasing numbers of women across the globe are being taught to see themselves as fat and in need of a diet.   Citing the island of Fiji as a case in point, Bordo notes that “until television was introduced in 1995, the islands had no reported cases of eating disorders.   In 1998, three years after programs from the United States and Britain began broadcasting there, 62 percent of the girls surveyed reported dieting” (149-50).   Bordo's point is that the West's obsession with dieting is spreading even to remote places across the globe.   Ultimately, Bordo complains, the culture of dieting will find you, regardless of where you live.
          Bordo's observations ring true to me because a friend of mine from a remote area in China speaks of the cult of dieting among young women there . . . .

In the top slice of the quotation sandwich above notice how the writer (1) both introduces and credentials the author (feminist philosopher Susan Bordo), then goes on to (2) set up the quotation (Bordo deplores the hold that the Western obsession with dieting has on women.   Her basic argument is that increasing numbers of women across the globe are being taught to see themselves as fat and in need of a diet.   Citing the island of Fiji as a case in point, Bordo notes that).  

Take a moment and go back and compare the above top slice with the “hit and run” quotation's top slice. I think you'll agree the top slice of the “quotation sandwich” is far superior.   It is far more specific and detailed.  

Also note how the “quotation sandwich” minimized the quotation by paraphrasing the first portion quoted in the “hit and run” quotation.    By the way, did you also notice how the special case of introducing a quote in a sentence using the word “that” means that the first word begins with a small letter (“until”) even though it was the first word of the quoted sentence and would normally be capitalized?

Finally, note how the bottom slice of the sandwich elaborates upon the quotation by explaining what it means and why it is important (Bordo's point is that the West's obsession with dieting is spreading even to remote places across the globe.   Ultimately, Bordo complains, the culture of dieting will find you, regardless of where you live.
        Bordo's observations ring true to me because a friend of mine from a remote area in China speaks of the cult of dieting among young women there . . . .)  

I, confess, skipping the bottom slice was one of my weaknesses as an undergraduate writer.   I assumed that the quotations I used were self-explanatory and that explaining them would just be redundant.   However, I think you can see here how re-stating the quote and elaborating upon it can dramatically improve your writing.   Again, go back and compare the bottom slice of the “quotation sandwich” with the bottom slice of the “hit and run” quotation.   I think, you'll agree, there's no comparison (pun intended).  

A final word.   Will every single quotation in your paper be a quotation sandwich?   No.   But if you want to improve your writing, start serving more quotation sandwiches to your readers.

Note: The "hit and run" quotation and the "quotation sandwich" examples are taken from They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein.