Where does the period go in a block quote MLA?
MLA block quote period placement
In MLA style, the period goes before the parenthetical citation for a block quote. This is the opposite of a standard short quote. For block quotes, you place the final punctuation mark at the end of the last sentence of the quote, followed by a space and then the parentheses containing the author and page number.
Block quote vs. short quote punctuation
| The placement of the period is one of the primary differences between short and long quotations in MLA format. | ||
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Short Quote (under 4 lines) | After the citation | Used |
| Block Quote (4+ lines) | Before the citation | Not used |
| Because a block quote is a freestanding block of text, the period marks the end of the source material. The citation then sits outside that sentence to provide the reference data. |
How to format the citation
When formatting your block quote, ensure you follow these three rules:
- Start the quote on a new line.
- Indent the entire quote 0.5 inches from the left margin.
- Do not use quotation marks.
The parenthetical citation appears on the final line of the block, after the period, with no punctuation following the closing parenthesis.
MLA block quote example
This is how a block quote should appear in your essay: At the conclusion of Lord of the Flies, Ralph weeps for the end of innocence: > Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy. (Golding 202) The next line of your essay begins at the standard left margin without an indent.
Quick check for block quotes
If you are unsure where the period goes, remember that the block quote is 'closed' by its own punctuation. The citation is an add-on that does not need its own period because it is not a complete sentence.
Frequently asked questions
No, block quotes do not use quotation marks. The indentation of the text signifies that it is a direct quote, so additional marks are unnecessary unless there is a quote within the block quote.
You must use block formatting when a prose quotation exceeds four lines of typed text. For poetry, use a block quote if the excerpt is longer than three lines.
The entire block quote should be indented 0.5 inches from the left margin. It should remain double spaced like the rest of your essay.
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