When students entered the classroom, this is the routine that they did 3 days each week. It is a great way to introduce and practice academic writing and critical thinking skills. I generally select quotes that are related to a unit of study that we are currently engaged in (daily routines, health, food etc.) or general educational issues (literacy, academic habits, etc.). They can be about anything that promotes thinking and would be of interest to the class. I find them through a google search or through websites such as https://www.brainyquote.com, and goodread quotes. For my students, both adults and teenagers, I found that providing structured support through a specific language structure was important. I vary it as they become more fluent in this approach. The basic routine is students read the quote to themselves then read aloud to a partner. Then they write their analysis, share with at least two others, and then have a few share with the whole class. (Give one, get one, described here, is good for this). Here are a few examples with video from a teacher group I worked with in Uzbekistan during the summer of 2021.

Do now:  Quote analysis.  10 minutes.

 “The secret of your futures is hidden in your daily routine.”

Mike Murdock

 1.    Copy the quote

2.    Read the quote 3 times to yourself and then once to the person sitting next to you.   

Using the sentence frames below, write an analysis of this quote.

1.   In his quote about __________, Murdock’s perspective is that__________________________________

2.   This is important because__________________________.