Unit 38: Research Skills and Source Evaluation

Day 21 of 30

Direct quotation: when and how

6-8English Language Arts

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Learning Objective

Students will explore direct quotation and when and how through guided practice and application.

Today's Lesson

In this lesson, we'll explore direct quotation: when and how. Strong literacy skills open doors to learning in all subjects.

Responsible research requires giving credit for ideas and information. Paraphrasing means restating a source's ideas in your own words while retaining the meaning—it still requires citation. Strategy: read the passage, set it aside, write the idea from memory, then verify accuracy. Direct quotation copies a source's exact words, enclosed in quotation marks with a citation. Use direct quotes when the exact wording matters (literary analysis, legal documents, distinctive phrasing). Note-taking systems: Cornell notes (key points, details, summary), outline notes, mind maps. For research papers, track source, page number, and exact wording with every note. MLA Works Cited entries typically include: Author, "Title of Source," Container (book/journal/website), publisher, year, location (pages/URL). Correct citation prevents plagiarism and allows readers to verify your sources.

As you work through today's material, pay attention to the examples and try to identify the patterns or strategies being used. This will help you apply these concepts to new problems.

Take notes on key points and make connections to what you've already learned in previous lessons.

Key Terms
Reading

The process of decoding and comprehending written text

Writing

The process of composing text to communicate ideas

Activities
Instructions
1. Read the provided text focusing on direct quotation: when and how. 2. Annotate key concepts and unfamiliar vocabulary. 3. Discuss observations with a partner. 4. Complete the guided questions.
Materials Needed
  • Text passage
  • Notebook
  • Highlighter

Teaching Tip

For advanced learners: Encourage deeper analysis and real-world connections. Consider extension activities that allow students to apply direct quotation: when and how to novel situations.

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