How to Analyze a Quote
When writing essays that examine a piece of literature, you'll often use quotes to support your argument. Analyzing a quotation is the process of examining its meaning and context.
It involves identifying the source as well as examining the context and determining its tone. It is about identifying literary devices and discussing their impact on a quote.
1. Identify the author
Quotes, when used correctly, can give your narrative an entirely new tone. They can also be a significant source of evidence for your argument. But, if used improperly they could distract your reader and clutter your text. This handout from Rutgers Writing Centers will help you master using quotes like a pro.
The first step is to identify the author of your quote. This should be easy to accomplish. Most often, a quote is taken directly from the book or essay, and the author's name is mentioned in the text. If you don't, you can find out the author online.
Next, analysis of quotes need to determine the context within the context that the quote was made or said. This can be a challenge particularly if you're not familiar with the subject matter. To help you with this, try writing the quote in your own words to get familiar with it. This will let you check if it matches the overall theme of your essay. It is helpful to think about the audience for your paper when choosing the quote.
Once you've identified the author and the context then you can begin to analyze the quote. To do this, begin by identifying the writer's primary point or idea. This is the idea that you want to argue in your essay.
Examine the words in the quote and determine how they support your argument. This step is especially crucial when your argument is about a complex or controversial topic. For instance, if are arguing that Cordelia is the most sympathetic character in King Lear You'll need to consider the way her words relate to your argument.
2. Find the context
The context of a quote is vital to understand its meaning and implications. This step involves looking at the words phrases, words, and structure of the quote to determine how it fits in the context of. When analyzing a quotation, it is crucial to think about the speaker and the audience. Identifying the speaker's background can aid in understanding the intent and intended meaning of the quote. Similarly, understanding the perspective of the audience can help you to better understand the quote.
Using the five easy steps laid out in this guide, students at Rutgers Writing Centers will be producing body paragraphs with quotes faster than they can write them. It takes some practice, and you may have to talk to a Writing Center tutor at various stages, but with small amount of effort, students will be able to analyze quotes confidently.
A strong body paragraph substantiates the claim with evidence and quotes that provide further details and evidence for the claim. The third step of quote analysis is to describe how the quote supports the thesis statement. The best method to do this is to link the quotation to your claim. For instance, "This quote* validates my claim that [claim] is valid because _____." It is important to avoid out-of-context quoting, which gives your readers false information and could cause them to misunderstand your argument. Follow the five suggestions in this guide instead to ensure that your quotes are accurate and meaningful.
3. Identify the theme
Your instructor will expect you to include literary quotations in your analysis, regardless of whether you're writing an essay or a report on a work of literature. How do you incorporate the words of someone else into your own? Here are some guidelines on how to analyze a quote and use it in your argument.
When you're analyzing a quote it's important to identify the theme. The theme is the underlying message that the writer is trying to convey. Themes can range from the importance of the family to the power in language. To determine the theme, you'll need consider the context and tone of the quote.
Another important thing to remember when analyzing a quote is to be aware of any literary devices that the writer employs. You might notice, for instance, that the writer employs poetic techniques or symbolic language to give the quote greater depth and meaning. You might also want to note any rhetorical devices like adverbs or parallelism that are employed in the quote.
Then, you'll have to determine the meaning of the quote. This is the most important aspect of an analysis of a quote. The meaning is the message that the quote communicates to its readers. You'll need to determine if the quote supports or contradicts your argument.
One final tip for analyzing a quote is to not overuse quotes. Try to limit your quote usage to a maximum of three or four in a paragraph. If you must include more than this, be sure to use ellipses to indicate the missing portions. This will allow readers to comprehend the full meaning and significance of your analysis.
4. Identify the tone
The tone is the overall attitude in a piece of written work. It reflects the author's perspective on the subject matter and how they want readers to feel.
Tone is a difficult concept to grasp since there are no close synonyms. Some authors describe it as mood, quality, feel, style, air, note, temperament or spirit. You can identify the tone by reading the quote several times, and then comparing it to other quotes in the same genre. This will help you identify the common ground and then compare the quotes.
A serious tone is utilized to convey a sense weight or gravitas to your writing. It is usually more formal and less informal than a lighthearted tone, and can include words like "stern," "dark," "sober" or "grave." A serious tone can be effective in conveying an important message or creating suspense.
In contrast, a lighthearted tone is used to convey a feeling of joy or optimism to a piece of writing. It is more conversational and uses words like "happy,"'smiley or cheerful. A lighthearted tone is effective in conveying the feeling of happiness or optimism.
Try identifying the tone of your own work by reading it several times before comparing it with other quotations from the same genre. You can also play around with word choice and diction to discover the distinct tones your language could carry. Create a list with words that are associated to specific tones and then practice using these tones in your writing. If you're looking to create positive vibes, words like "bright," forward," "future," and "inspire" might be appropriate.
5. What is it that means?
Understanding a quote requires you comprehend its meaning. This can assist you in understanding what the speaker is trying to convey and how it applies to your argument or topic. This can also help you understand the speaker and the audience, which will allow you to understand the context of a quote.
To understand the meaning behind an expression, you must first read it thoroughly. Pay attention to the phrases, words and structure of the quote. Consider also different interpretations of the quote.
Once you have figured out the meaning of the quote, you will need to identify the speaker and the audience. This will help you comprehend the context and significance of the quote. This will also allow you determine the theme of the quote.
After determining the meaning of a quotation You must be able to comprehend how the writer employs literary techniques. Examiners appreciate when students are able to name the techniques employed in a piece of writing. For instance, you might discover that the author employs repetition to highlight an idea. This could be a rhetorical tool, or it could be used to create tension.
This also requires identifying the reason behind the quote. Was it intended to inform or persuade the reader? Was it meant to be humorous, sad or serious? Was the author trying to make a point about something specific? You can assess the significance of a quotation by identifying its intent. It can help you understand the purpose of the text as a whole.