Quoting is like building your favorite sandwich

Warning:Reading this may result in extreme desire for a sandwich

Allow me to set the scene for you. Class just ended at 8:01 p.m., and as you’re trying to beat the stampede of UB students racing to the Fitzgerald Garage, you notice that the line is already halfway to the Bogomolny Library (exaggeration obviously). Not only do you not have your $5 bill to pay for your speedy exit out of the garage and make your escape off campus, you also hear a rumble in your stomach that is unsettling. Oh no, you’re hungry and your go-to post-class meal was at the Barnes & Nobles Starbucks that has now closed (insert sad face here), and you’re tired of going to the Brass Tap.

At this point, just as you’re anticipating your hangry self will take over, you remember that you have a paper to write! After hyperventilating, you find that you misread the writing prompt from your professor and the paper is ACTUALLY ten pages instead of five! In addition to this, you aren’t an expert in Administrative Law or Jurisprudence and you need a tool to help you develop and deepen your discussion using credible sources.

Not to worry, the Writing Center has the perfect solution for your worries: the Quote Sandwich! Unfortunately, this sandwich is imaginary, unless you close your laptop and take a bite, but that’s your prerogative (lolz). More specifically, academic writers describe this sandwich as a “…visual representation of the ideal method for embedding quotes into your writing, and explaining and analyzing them clearly for your readers.” In other words, quoting gives you the superpower to accurately portray the words of authors, explain their relevance to your paper, and thoroughly explain why quoting said person was valuable to the discussion of your topic. Basically, quoting lends support to your thoughts to ensure that you are not providing fake news to your classes (and academia in general).

I just used the quote sandwich, did you catch it?

Here are the steps you can follow to build your OWN quote sandwich (affinity for BLTs not required):

STEP ONE – Top Bun (Wheat, White, Multigrain, or Gluten-Free)

• The top bun is the point that you want to make in a particular section of the paper. This is the perfect place for your topic sentence or a supporting detail for your topic sentence.
  • Example: BLTs are a phenomenal meal during all periods of the day.

STEP TWO – Toppings (Organic Lettuce or Regular?)

• In a brief sentence, explain why you think the quote you have selected helps you make this point.
  • Example: Other sources demonstrate conflicting views towards Paris Wilson’s affinity for BLTs because they are perceived as boring and traditional, but this is not the case. In fact, they produce many benefits.

STEP THREE – Seasonings (Salt, Pepper, or Old Bay)

• Some might disagree that Old Bay is an important ingredient to a BLT, but for quote sandwiches seasoning is context. Before you list your quote, ask yourself, “Is there any additional context your reader needs to understand the author’s ideas?” If so, add it here.

STEP FOUR – Signal Phrase

• Who is speaking? Write a signal phrase which includes a verb (such as “argues” or “explains”) with the name of the person who’s being quoted.
  • Example: Wilson (2018) passionately states…  

STEP FIVE – The Meat (Pork, Turkey, Cage-Free, or Vegan Bacon)

• The quote is the main reason you’re creating this quote sandwich; that’s why it’s called, “the meat.” Your selected quote goes here.
  • “BLTs are a lackadaisical person’s dream meal. They are a quick, easy recipe that anyone at any cooking level can create. Not only do you have protein in the bacon, but you have the dietary balance of the lettuce and tomato that adds nutritional value to your overall diet” (Wilson 2018, p. 2).

STEP SIX – (Ketchup, Mustard, Pickles, the condiment choices are endless)

• As the description says, the choices are endless how to paraphrase the ideas in the quote. If we know anything about paraphrasing, we are placing a direct quote into our own words. Paraphrase the ideas in your selected quote, beginning with “In other words…”
  • Example: In other words, no matter if a person is lackadaisical or overall too busy to cook a full meal, individuals can eat BLTs to satisfy their hunger and their nutritional requirements.

STEP SEVEN – Bottom Bun (Wheat, White, Multigrain, Gluten-Free)

• This section explains the connection between the ideas in the quote and the point you are trying to make in this section of your paper; moreover, you cannot call this magnificent meal a “sandwich” without a bottom bun…right?
  • Example: Mastering the skill of preparing BLTs alleviates the pressure of an individual to prep meals the day before or thaw frozen food beforehand. The simplicity of this sandwich relieves stress, fulfills hunger, and satisfies the palate at the same time.

Let’s put these examples together as one complete sandwich:

BLTs are a phenomenal meal during all periods of the day. Other sources demonstrate conflicting views towards Paris Wilson’s affinity for BLTs because they are perceived as boring and traditional, but this is not the case. In fact, they produce many benefits. Wilson (2018) passionately states, “BLTs are a lackadaisical person’s dream meal. They are a quick, easy recipe that anyone at any cooking level can create. Not only do you have protein in the bacon, but you have the dietary balance of the lettuce and tomato that adds nutritional value to your overall diet” (p. 2). In other words, no matter if a person is lackadaisical or overall too busy to cook a full meal, individuals can eat BLTs to satisfy their hunger and their nutritional requirements. Mastering the skill of preparing BLTs alleviates the pressure of an individual to prep meals the day before or thaw frozen food beforehand. The simplicity of this sandwich relieves stress, fulfills hunger, and satisfies the palate at the same time.

Quote sandwiches are an amazing tool that every writer should master. No matter what kind of writing you’re doing, utilizing quotes effectively strengthens your paper and helps to prove or disprove a claim. Following these steps, you are able to allow your reader to understand your reasoning for this quote and why it is important to your claim and/or thesis statement. And if you are not convinced yet, here’s a trade secret: quote sandwiches can even lengthen your paper, while making them sound more academically astute at the same time.

BLT Sandwich Photo Credits:

Editor: Krissy Tiglias, Photo Editor: Paden Reich, Art Director: Bob Perino, Alison Miksch: Photographer, Food Stylist: Matt Vohr, Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas.