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Printable + Shareable + Teachable
Asian American Literature Quotecards are a community and classroom resource created by the Circle for Asian American Literary Studies (CAALS). They are meant to inspire readers and to teach and promote literature written by Asian American writers. Quotecards feature memorable and beloved quotes crowdsourced via the CAALS Facebook group and elsewhere. Thanks to all who submitted favorite quotes, and much gratitude to these awesome writers for their beautiful, fierce words. Please support Asian American literature by checking out more writing by these and other writers, buying their books, and recommending them to libraries, friends, and colleagues.
To Print/Share a Quotecard: Click to open image file. Save image file and print or share at desired scale. If printing on letter paper, we recommend 4 per page. You can also view the whole deck on Canva, or open it as a template to download or create other graphics.
Accessibility: Alt-text is embedded in the images for text-to-speech accessibility. The Quotecards are square images of text overlaying geometric shapes. The shapes are red, yellow, green, or blue, with a light gray background.
There are many ways to use Asian American Literature Quotecards. Scroll down for ideas.
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12 Ways to Use Asian American Literature Quotecards
You can print these (recommended: 4 per page) or share them by clicking on the image and saving the file. Using Canva, you can also view the whole deck online or open it as a template to download or edit.
– Use one or more as a prompt for creative writing or journaling. Try shuffling through them for random inspiration, like a literary version of Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies.
– Select one to use as a mantra for meditation.
– Print and frame your favorites. Or share them on social media.
– Create Asian American Literature Bingo Cards using one of these templates. Choose one template style (out of 3 options) and make a different card for each player, with quotes arranged randomly. Keep a key card of up to 30 quotes for calling out (included in template).
– Write a collective poem in your text group. Begin with a quote, then take turns each writing a line. Or do this in the classroom. You can even use collective poems to teach students revision.
– Speaking of students, distribute the cards as an icebreaker on the first day of class: “What does your quote bring to mind?”
– Arrange several into a found poem. Or have your students create found poems (or found plays!) as an assignment.
– Create a personal set of Tarot cards for divination and meditation, inspired by Open in Emergency‘s Asian American Tarot.
– Print and mail them as postcards to friends in quarantine. Or take them on your walk to tape to strangers’ gateposts. (Just don’t pick creepy quotes for that.)
– Print two sets to make a memory game.
– Order a set of coasters printed with your favorite Quotecards.
– Write a letter to the poet/author. You don’t have to mail it.
Most of all, read more work by the writer! Google them, buy their books, and recommend them to libraries, friends, and colleagues.
Created by Mai-Linh K. Hong
