Writing Academic Essays (Literature)

*Not sure if this is the right place . . .

I'm a second year undergraduate (literature) and need advice about running on quotes [syntactically] with my argument. I've talked to my tutor: my structure and argument are near enough perfect but my inability to run on the quotes is dragging down my grades. My two recent where lower seconds but I've been told if I iron out the remaining problems I should be looking at a first.

I have to get to grips this semester; my Honours year starts in September. Any advice?

It's the University of Stirling's [English Studies] style guide; they are research led so it is probably connected to a style guide of a certain academic publisher [probable Edinburgh University Press].

"Run-on quotes": what I meant was having a quote from a novel/play/poem incorporated into the prose of the essay without being disjointed. I just can't seem to make it smooth enough.

One of the worst examples is "The interaction of the characters of 'Seth, too, had straightened his back . . .' It's messy and too clunky.

My problem is I now have two new tutors (one I know from semester 1). I think I will have to email him to arrange a meeting. It's not that he hasn't tried to help; I think this is a hurdle I'm struggling to negotiate.

I think the worst problem is I did Lit classes before getting on this degree course; where they used: clause one - idea; full stop; clause two - quote. I think my mind has developed this psychological barrier.

Thanks.

Waiting for an email from tutor.