Integrating Textual Evidence using the I.C.E approach: Intro

Integrating Textual Evidence using the I.C.E approach: Introduce. Cite. Explain

Carlson is callous. “‘He [Curley] don’t give nobody else a chance to win—’ He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing looked down at the old dog.‘God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy!’”(Steinbeck 44).

• This is called quote dropping

Carlson is callous.One example of his callous nature occurs early on in chapter three when Carlson brings up Candy’s dog, which, being old and in poor health, smells.“‘He [Curley] don’t give nobody else a chance to win—’ He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing looked down at the old dog.‘God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy!’”(Steinbeck 44).

• With an I-statement (connects your words to the author's words)

Integrate: (verb) to make part of,

to make whole.

In other words, to take one thing

and combine it with another.

Anything taken from a novel,

poem, article, etc.

Def: the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. (something that proves a claim)

• direct quotes ("word for word")--requires quotations to be used
• paraphrase (put into your own words)
• summary (a short version of the source materal)

Consider the following:

First, introduce the evidence. You can't simply go from topic sentence to evidence without preparing your reader. This is called "quote dropping"--always avoid this. Information to consider:

• Context (plot detail)--Where does the quote occur in the novel? What is happening? What are the circumstances?
• Who is speaking? To Whom?
• Other relevant info (things the audience needs to know for the evidence to make sense)

Secondly, cite your evidence. Use quotations marks to offset the text and include an MLA in-text citation (Last Name Page#).

“‘He [Curley] don’t give nobody else a chance to win—’ He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing looked down at the old dog.

‘God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy!’”(Steinbeck 44).

It's one thing to have evidence, but it's another to show why it's significant and show how it supports your thesis.

• Explain how and why the evidence proves your claim (thesis)
• Avoid simply restating what the text explicitly says

Let's look at an example:

Topic Sentence:

Carlson, from Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, is callous.

Intro to evidence:

One example of his callous nature occurs early on in chapter three when Carlson brings up Candy’s dog, which, being old and in poor health, smells.

Cite Evidence:

“‘He [Curley] don’t give nobody else a chance to win—’ He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing looked down at the old dog. ‘God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy!’”(Steinbeck 44).

Explain:

Carlson’s callousness is effectively illustrated in this example due to the negative tone that Steinbeck provides for Carlson’s character. Carlson, in mid-sentence, shifts the topic of discussion, that being Curley, to that of Candy’s dog and his stench. It is obvious that Carlson has no empathy for Candy and his only companion as Carlson simply wants that dog “outa here” and away from the bunk house, thus emphasizing his callous demeanor.

All together now:

Carlson, from Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, is callous. One example of his callous nature occurs early on in chapter three when Carlson brings up Candy’s dog, which, being old and in poor health, smells. “‘He [Curley] don’t give nobody else a chance to win—’ He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing looked down at the old dog. ‘God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy!’”(Steinbeck 44). Carlson’s callousness is effectively illustrated in this example due to the negative tone that Steinbeck provides for Carlson’s character. Carlson, in mid-sentence, shifts the topic of discussion, that being Curley, to that of Candy’s dog and his stench. It is obvious that Carlson has no empathy for Candy and his only companion as Carlson simply wants that dog “outa here” and away from the bunk house, thus emphasizing his callous demeanor.