Signal the Use of
a SourceExample: The Strategies in Context
Read through this example in MLA style and jot down what techniques
it uses to transition to cited material that you’ve learned
about in this handout.
Donatello, along with Lorenzo Ghiberti and Nanni di Banco, is considered
to be one of the founders of the Italian Renaissance sculpture.
Donatello’s
sculptures represent a break from the past. According to Gombrick,
Gothic statues hovered at the side of porches in calm and solemn rows,
looking like beings from a different world (173). But Donatello’s
sculptures stand firmly on the ground, and their faces show energy
and concentration. Donatello’s sculptures represent a change
from the past because they introduce a new way of handling space.
His sculptures might give an illusion of great depth, but they are
shallow. He accomplished this illusion through manipulating shades
of light and dark. Parsons discusses the importance of Donatello’s
work and this new strategy: “Donatello most fully investigated
such basic artistic problems of the time as the relationship of form
to space and the opposing claims of realism and idealism” (283).
Ultimately, Donatello’s new technique allowed him to explore
a strategy for handling space, which made him and the artists
he influenced represent a turning point in art history.
This example shows two strategies that you’ve learned about.
First with “according to Gobrick,” you can see another
example of the introductory phrases technique. The second example
occurs later in the passage: “Parsons discusses the importance
of Donatello’s work and this new strategy.” This second
example is an example of an introductory sentence.
Unlike the examples in the main part of the handout, in this example,
you can see how signaling your sources works within a paragraph.
This paragraph illustrates two key points.
One: Source material cannot make your points for you; it merely
serves to back up your point. In the example above, the writer cites
two authors to support her points. One of her points is that “Donatello’s
sculptures represent a break from the past.” For this point,
she cites Gombrick to elaborate on how Donatello’s sculptures
represent a turning point in art history. Later in the paragraph,
the writer cites Parsons. The writer’s point is that “He
[Donatello] accomplished this illusion through shades of light and
dark.” (This point is actually part of the larger argument
in the paragraph—that Donatello’s sculptures represent
a break from the past.) The writer uses the source material from
Parsons to indicate the importance of both Donatello’s work
and to explain the new strategy. Additionally, the writer doesn’t
begin the paragraph with cited information because she has to introduce
her point for the paragraph in a topic sentence.
Two: You have to comment on source material to help show how it
proves your points. The writer’s first point is that “Donatello’s
sculptures represent a break from the past.” She cites Gombrick
to support this point with authority, and then she elaborates on
that material and transitions to the next point: “But, Donatello’s
sculptures stand firmly on the ground, their faces show energy and
concentration. Donatello’s sculptures . . . ” Essentially,
the writer 1.) shows how Donatello’s sculptures break from
the past (they stand firmly on the ground) and 2.) then
she transitions to her next point (new way of handling space
is an example of the break from the past). Her next point functions
the same way. She introduces the point (he accomplished this illusion);
provides additional
information (quotation from Parsons); and then discusses this point.
Since it’s the end of the paragraph, the writer also shows
the relationship among ideas in the paragraph. The writer can’t
end a paragraph with cited information because then she wouldn’t
be commenting on or providing connections for her reader. For more
information on commenting on source material, see the Academic Center
handout “Signal
Your Commentary on Source Material.”
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