Internet Academy Resources

Key Quotes

What are Key Quotes?

Have you ever heard something and said, "That's exactly right!" Or, "I wish I was the one who had said that!" Some things we hear and read are perfect. They express a thought in just the right way. When we read, we also find quotes that are KEYS to unlocking the story. They give us important information about a character or event that helps us understand the story and even say, "AHA - I get it!"

How will using Key Quotes help me read better?

When reading, if you find an important quote or statement, you will understand the character or the meaning of the story better. Let’s look at an example:

At the end of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy clicks her heels of her ruby red slippers together and says, "There’s no place like home." These are famous words and would definitely be a KEY to understanding Dorothy AND the meaning of the story. She has discovered through all her journeys and adventures, that she loves her family and that there is no place she would rather be. Home is the best.

How could I use Key Quotes in a class?

KEY quotes stand out. Sometimes they almost shout at you from the pages. Sometimes they are quiet, but you know when you see the words, that they are important. Sometimes they are suspenseful and give you clues to the rest of the story. Sometimes they summarize the feelings of a character in a way that makes it true for all people. Sometimes the words are meaningful to you for a special reason all your own.

Book Title: _____________________ Author ____________________ QUOTATION: (copy exactly as it appears in the story) _____________         Quotation said by: (could be the narrator too) _____________________ This quotation is important in the story because _____________________