Which sentence best explains how a quotation should support a claim?

Which sentence best explains how a quotation should support a claim?

• A. To ensure the reader understands how the quote supports the claim.
• B. Because quotes should replace your own ideas.
• C. Because quotes never need explanation.
• D. Because the quote should stand alone.

Answer: (A)

Quotations must be tied directly to your claim through explanation so readers see exactly how the evidence supports your point. After you introduce a quote, you should show what it means in relation to your argument and why it matters—paraphrase or interpret specific words or ideas and connect them to your claim. This clarifies the quote’s relevance and strengthens your reasoning. If a quote is used without explanation, it can feel like a replacement for your own analysis or like it should stand on its own, which doesn’t help the reader understand why it matters to your argument. The goal is to make the quote serve as evidence that you interpret and integrate, not as a substitute for your ideas.

Quotations must be tied directly to your claim through explanation so readers see exactly how the evidence supports your point. After you introduce a quote, you should show what it means in relation to your argument and why it matters—paraphrase or interpret specific words or ideas and connect them to your claim. This clarifies the quote’s relevance and strengthens your reasoning.

If a quote is used without explanation, it can feel like a replacement for your own analysis or like it should stand on its own, which doesn’t help the reader understand why it matters to your argument. The goal is to make the quote serve as evidence that you interpret and integrate, not as a substitute for your ideas.