Read the outline for an introduction to a literary analysis paper.

i. introduction: samuel johnson once said, “i would rather be attacked than unnoticed. for the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.”

a. interpret the quotation:

b. agree or disagree:

c. thesis statement:

which statement would best fit into part a of this outline?
1.) samuel johnson was known for his poetry as well as his essays and biographies.
2.) johnson’s poem “the vanity of human wishes” was largely ignored by his contemporaries.
3.) johnson’s sentiment is true because even negative reviews can often trigger the desire in people to read a book or poem.
4.) samuel johnson is suggesting that it is better for a work to receive a negative response than no response at all.

The statement that would best fit into part A of this outline is 4) Samuel Johnson is suggesting that it is better for a work to receive a negative response than no response at all.

Interpreting a quotation means explaining what another person, generally a famous figure, has said with your own words. In other words, its aim is to clarify someone else's words for the reader. In the case of Samuel Johnson's quote, he refers to the importance of being noticed, even if a work is criticized in a harsh way. The sentence presented in option 4) is the only one that interprets the quotation. The other options present additional information or an opinion.

The answer is:  3. Johnson’s sentiment is true because even negative reviews can often trigger the desire in people to read a book or poem.

Explanation:

Interpreting means not only to summarize but also to give your opinion, providing a comment to support your idea. In this case, in number three you're giving your opinion: "Johnson's sentiment is true", but also you are providing a comment which supports that idea based on your own interpretation: "because even negative reviews can often trigger the desire in people to read a book or poem". The first two options only give opinions with no further ideas, and option 4 is only paraphrasing, without giving any short opinion.