Making the "Quote Sandwich"

A guide at integrating quotations effectively into a paper with MLA sourcing.

1. How to make a quote sandwich

2. A quote sandwich has 3 main parts
1.Context
2.Quote
3.Analysis

3. An example of a quote sandwich
When Davy shoots the goose, Reuben
describes his brother’s expression as, “on his
face is nothing at all but the knowledge that
the goose is his” (Enger 16). This scene,
and Reuben’s description of it, foreshadows
the scene where, with equal calmness and
confidence, Davy shoots and kills Tommy
Basca and Israel Finch. Etc.

4. 1. Context
Where in the story the quote is from
Which character said or thought it
What is happening at that moment
Example:
When Davy shoots the goose, Reuben describes his
brother’s expression as, “on his face is nothing at all
but the knowledge that the goose is his” (Enger 16).
This scene, and Reuben’s description of it,
foreshadows the scene where, with equal calmness
and confidence, Davy shoots and kills Tommy Basca
and Israel Finch. Etc.

5. 2. Quote
Should not be too long
Should not merely state a fact
Must be punctuated correctly
Must be followed by the correct citation
Example:
When Davy shoots the goose, Reuben describes his brother’s
expression as, “on his face is nothing at all but the knowledge
that the goose is his” (Enger 16). This scene, and Reuben’s
description of it, foreshadows the scene where, with equal
calmness and confidence, Davy shoots and kills Tommy Basca
and Israel Finch. Etc.

6. 2.5 Punctuating the quote
Mrs. Arcaro said, “the quote will start with a
lower case letter if you lead into it” (Arcaro 4).
The author and page number will be in
parenthesis after the quote.
The period goes after the parenthesis.

7. 3. Analysis
Your interpretation
Explain how it proves your point
Describe what the quote reveals
Example:
When Davy shoots the goose, Reuben describes his
brother’s expression as, “on his face is nothing at all
but the knowledge that the goose is his” (Enger 16).
This scene, and Reuben’s description of it,
foreshadows the scene where, with equal calmness
and confidence, Davy shoots and kills Tommy Basca
and Israel Finch. Etc.

8. Quote Sandwich…mmm…delicious!
When Davy shoots the goose,
Reuben describes his brother’s
expression as, “on his face is
nothing at all but the knowledge
that the goose is his” (Enger 16).
This scene, and Reuben’s
description of it, foreshadows the
scene where, with equal calmness
and confidence, Davy shoots and
kills Tommy Basca and Israel
Finch. Etc.
Context
Quote
Analysis

9. Some notes
This example was a very simple version of a
quote sandwich.
The context, quote, and analysis can, and
often will be, more than one sentence each.
The main purpose of quoting is to support
your analysis.

10. Some notes
This example was a very simple version of a
quote sandwich.
The context, quote, and analysis can, and
often will be, more than one sentence each.
The main purpose of quoting is to support
your analysis.