Essay skills · Both
Using Quotations in Literature
Examiners prefer short, well-chosen quotations with sharp analysis over long copied chunks.
Selecting quotations
• Choose lines you can say something precise about
• Prefer vivid words, images, or turning-point dialogue
• Learn a bank of flexible quotations for each major character/theme
Embedding and analysing
Embed: The narrator describes the house as “…” which suggests…
Then zoom in on a word or image: The verb “…” implies…
One short quote + developed comment beats three quotes with no explanation.
Practice questions
1. Why keep quotations short?
2. What must follow a quotation?