What is the purpose of including quotations, and how should they be integrated into a response?

• A. Quotations illustrate points; integrate with context, analysis, and commentary; avoid over-quoting; use quotes to support claims.
• B. Quotations should be avoided.
• C. Quotes should be long blocks with no analysis.
• D. Quotations should be appended at the end.

Answer: (A)

Quotations anchor your analysis in the text by providing precise evidence you can discuss. Choose brief, relevant phrases that directly illustrate the point you’re making, rather than long passages that overwhelm your argument. Integrate them into your response by weaving them with your own words: set up the quote with context, present it, and then follow with analysis that explains how it supports your claim. This structure—context, quotation, and commentary—keeps your argument clear and shows you’re actively interpreting the text. Avoid over-quoting and rely on paraphrase when you can, but when you do quote, connect the meaning directly to your point and explain why that specific wording matters. Some approaches suggest avoiding quotations entirely, or presenting them as long blocks with no analysis, or sticking them at the end without integration; these don’t demonstrate how the evidence underpins your argument. The best approach uses quotations to illustrate points and support claims, integrated with context and guided by your analysis.