Name  Class 

ANALYZING QUOTATIONS For use with “Off to Work, Not to School” on p. 8 of the magazine

In Their Words
When writing about current events and issues, journalists often include direct quotations from experts
and newsmakers. Check out the following five quotations used in “Off to Work, Not to School.” For each
one, record the name and background of the speaker, and explain the meaning of their remark.
SPEAKER
MEANING OR CENTRAL IDEA
QUOTATION (person’s name
(in your own words)
and background)
1. “All the gains that have
been made, all this work
we have been doing, will
be rolled back.”

2. “It makes me dizzy and

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no one helps me. I just
give up.”

3. “The whole ecosystem

around kids is breaking
down.”

4. “I fear that even if school

reopens, I will have to
keep doing this because
of the family’s debt.”

5. “Kids who weren’t

scavenging for garbage
are doing it now.”

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: Based on your exploration of the quotations in this text, what do you think direct
quotations can add to an article? Why do you think journalists include them?

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • U P F R O N T M AG A Z I N E .CO M