'How do I integrate quotes into my essay?'

Remember, the quality of quotes is much more important than quantity! It’s important to note that a quote will not convey your analysis by itself; you need to elaborate on your choice to use a specific section of the text. You also need to make sure that your reader knows who is speaking or where this quote came from and the relationship this character or source has to the point you are making. Below is an example from an essay about ‘Mice and Men’, using this quote: ‘[Curley's wife] had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made-up. Her fingernails were red.’ ‘Curley’s wife is presented as dangerous. Through her “rouged lips” and “red” fingernails, Steinbeck uses pigment as a symbol to suggest the risk associated with her character. Red as a colour is traditionally connected with danger, but also with love and passion. This leads the reader to speculate that she may pose a threat, and should not be trusted. Furthermore, the overtly sexual symbolism of the colour could be interpreted as enforcing Candy’s previous statement that she is a “tart”.’ Here, the writer gives context for the quote, then proceeds to take it apart, explaining its significance. The reader is not left having to interpret the quote and what it means or how it helps to support the point they are trying to make.