Some Quoting / Signal Phrase examples.

Here are some of the quoting/signal phrase examples we went over today in class. Remember to use precise signal verbs and to always integrate quotes into your own sentences.

In “Shitty First Drafts,” Lamott urges us to “quiet the voices” in our heads. She makes these voices more tangible by describing some of her own: “And there are your parents, agonizing over your lack of loyalty and discretion; and there’s William Burroughs, dozing off or shooting up because he finds you as bold and articulate as a houseplant; and so on” (303).

“Almost all good writing,” Lamott asserts, “begins with terrible first efforts” (303).

The first draft should be raw, “where you let it pour out and romp all over the place,” without conerning yourself too much with what makes I on the page (Lamott 302).

Lamott demystifies the assumption that some people are able to write perfectly formed, finished drafts by giving us a glimpse into her social circle: “I know some very great writers….Not one of them writes elegant first drafts” (301-302).