Using The Story In The Link Above! In-Text Citation Exercise
Using the story in the link above! In-Text Citation Exercise, in MLA format ,
Using the story in the link above! In-Text Citation Exercise, in MLA format , please choose one paragraph from the link above ("Everyday Use" by Alice Walker) and use it in three different ways as though you were using it in an essay. 1. Use the passage as a block quotation. 2. Use the passage as integrated quotation (within a paragraph). 3. Summarize the passage and cite it in-text.
Paper For Above instruction
Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use” explores complex themes surrounding family, heritage, and identity. To fulfill the exercise requirements, I have selected a paragraph from the story and will demonstrate three different ways to incorporate it into an essay using MLA citation style.
Selected paragraph from “Everyday Use” (for illustration purposes):
> “She washed us in a soap that was made by other folks who owned their own land, who knew what it was like to live off the land and work hard every day. She said she knew what it was like to have a real job—and she knew what it was like to work hard for what you got. She kept her children in line and didn’t have to stay at home to do it” (Walker 310).
1. Block Quotation:
Walker’s description emphasizes the proud heritage of the characters:
> “She washed us in a soap that was made by other folks who owned their own land, who knew what it was like to live off the land and work hard every day. She said she knew what it was like to have a real job—and she knew what it was like to work hard for what you got. She kept her children in line and didn’t have to stay at home to do it” (Walker 310).
This passage highlights the sense of pride associated with independence and hard work, illustrating the values held by the character and contrasting them with other perspectives in the story.
2. Integrated Quotation:
Walker describes a character who takes pride in her self-reliance and work ethic, emphasizing her connection to land and honest labor (Walker 310). This portrayal underscores the importance of heritage and the lived experiences that shape identity in the narrative.
3. Summary and In-Text Citation:
Walker’s character talks proudly about her hard work and independence, highlighting her connection to the land and her ability to raise her children with discipline and pride (Walker 310). This reflects the story’s themes of heritage and the differing perceptions of value in family traditions.
In conclusion, Alice Walker’s use of detailed description enables readers to understand the characters’ values and the cultural significance of heritage, which are central themes in “Everyday Use.” Properly integrating quotations, whether as block quotations, embedded, or summarized, enriches the analysis and supports the interpretation of the story’s themes.
References
- Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose, Harvest Books, 1982, pp. 307-312.