How to format a block quote MLA
MLA block quote formatting rules
To how to format a block quote mla, start the quotation on a new line and indent the entire block 0.5 inches from the left margin. Maintain double spacing and omit quotation marks. Place the parenthetical citation after the final punctuation mark. Use this format for prose longer than 4 lines.
Technical requirements for block quotes
| Feature | MLA Block Quote Requirement |
|---|---|
| Threshold | More than 4 lines of prose / 3 lines of poetry |
| Indentation | 0.5 inches from the left margin |
| Quotation Marks | None (unless present in original text) |
| Spacing | Double-spaced throughout |
| Punctuation | Period comes before the citation |
| Introduction | Usually ends with a colon |
Step-by-step formatting guide
Follow these four steps to ensure your long quotation meets MLA 9 standards:
- Lead-in sentence: Introduce the quote with your own words, typically ending the sentence with a colon.
- Start a new line: Move the cursor to the next line and paste the quote.
- Apply indentation: Highlight the quoted text and move the left margin marker to the 0.5-inch mark. In Google Docs or Word, you can also use the 'Increase Indent' button.
- Finalize citation: Place a space after the final period of the quote, then add the author and page number in parentheses. Do not put a period after the closing parenthesis.
MLA block quote example
In *The Great Gatsby*, Fitzgerald describes the decay of the American Dream through the setting of the Valley of Ashes: > This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. (Fitzgerald 23) The description serves to contrast the glittering wealth of East Egg with the industrial reality of the working class.
Pro tip for poetry
When formatting a block quote for poetry, you must maintain the original line breaks and spacing of the poem exactly as they appear in the source text.
Frequently asked questions
No, do not use quotation marks around the block quote itself. The indentation signifies that the text is a direct quotation. Only use quotation marks if they appear within the original source text.
In an MLA block quote, the period comes before the parenthetical citation. This is the opposite of a standard short quote, where the period follows the citation.
Use block formatting for prose that exceeds 4 lines of typed text. For poetry, use block formatting if the quotation is longer than 3 lines.
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