(Integrating Ideas) – Be able to integrate their ideas with others using summary, paraphrase, quotation, analysis, and synthesis of relevant sources. (Word count 342)

Looking back now, my writing lacked an important aspect, my voice. Before this class started my essays never included my voice, experiences, or opinions. I was told to not use any first person pronouns and that was that. As for quoting, my introduction into the quote was there but not by much. It would be a mix of this author “wrote”, or they “stated”. I would then throw in a quote and give no explanation aftward. Most of my writing was a summary.

As the semester has progressed with the use quote sandwiches my voice in my essay is being heard. My quote integration and analysis has grown to support my claim and further improve my writing ability. I have found new ways to relate a quote and analysis back to my claim while also being able to incorporate my own thoughts. I have continuously throughout the semester used the quote sandwich to frame every single quote I used. This became an easy way to lengthen my writing and make it more interesting.

Below in the next image (1) from my first essay the introduction into the quote flows nicely. I start strong by stating my claim and immediately after the quote paraphrase it in my own words making my own meaning from this. I finish off my explanation relating it all back to my thesis.

Another example would be in my second essay where I use a quote sandwich to unpack the meaning and relation of the quote back to my essay. In the pink I start off with my introduction and I transition into my quote. I have begun to better understand unpacking quotes and I can say I have a better understanding of how to expand on a quote then I did during essay 1. I paraphrase what Wallace says and proceed to begin to bring my own opinion and thoughts into my writing as I relate it back to my claim. I am no longer summarizing the quote but instead adding in my own inside thoughts and beliefs.