Avoid Starting a Paragraph with a Quote
In general, you should avoid hitting us with the quote right off the bat. Instead, give us a topic sentence that let's us know what you are going to talk about. Then build up to the quote. Then explain how the quote proves your topic sentence. Then get out and move on.
Here's your basic analytical paragraph:
Here's your basic analytical paragraph:
- Topic sentence: says what you are going to prove in this paragraph.
- Supporting detail: enough of your own detail so that we know where the quote is coming from, who is going to say it, etc.
- Integrated quote: Make the quote come out of your own writing.
- Analysis: What does the quote prove about your point. Note: you are not explaining who said the quote or when, because you have already done that in step 2.
- Conclusion/Transition: Make sure we believe what you are trying to prove. Then move on to your next point in your next paragraph.
What does that look like?
Norman is a terrible, abusive husband who may in fact be psychotic. He treats his wife terribly, and the amazing thing is how long Rosie stayed with him. He beat his wife, caused a miscarriage, and kept her in a state of constant terror. On the day she finally left, Rosie considered all the years of abuse, "the old marks on parts of her body her clothes covered. Bite-marks, for the most part. Norman loved to bite" (King 7). Not only is Norman abusive, but clearly he is clever about his abuse, because he does it in ways that are not visible to the outside world. This indicates that he goes beyond someone with anger management issues and into fully-fledged psychosis.