In MLA style, a
You should know how to do a block quote in MLA style to successfully complete an assignment that follows this format. It might be a big deal for someone, while others find it an easy breeze. This article will describe the main rules of using long quotations in MLA 9th edition. You will also find some practical examples prepared by professional essay writers at StudyCrumb.
When to Use a Block Quote MLA?
MLA block quote is generally used to include a long quotation. According to the requirements of MLA 9th edition, one should use this quotation method for citing poetry (if it's more than 3 lines) or prose (longer than 4 lines). You should also use it while citing dialogues or several lines from a play.
How to Block Quote MLA?
There are some simple rules of using an MLA block quote citation in text correctly.
- Prepare some background Before directly citing your chosen source, make sure you prepare your readers for it. Write a couple of sentences in your own words first. It will make them understand how the quotation supports your argument and why its usage is relevant.
- Apply proper formatting Remember that your citation should match your paper in terms of spacing. It should be double-spaced. As you insert a quotation, start it from the new line and indent it 0.5 inches from the left margin. Use the same punctuation and capitalization as it appears in your source.
- Cite your source Include an in-text citation to avoid plagiarism! Add it right after the end of your quotation. MLA in text citation should consist of author's name and page numbers. Make sure you also mention your reference in your works cited list.
- Wrap up the quote Don't end your paragraph with a block quote. Write something that emphasizes the significance of the mentioned citation. So use your own words before including the quotation and after you put it in.
MLA Block Quote Format
There are some more MLA format block quote rules worth mentioning:
- Nested quotation
- If there is a quotation inside a quote, wrap it up with quotation marks just like the regular inner one.
- Omitted passage
- If you shorten your citation, do that with the help of ellipses (...). However, make sure you don't put aside relevant content since it might change the original meaning.
- If you omit a poetry line, do that by typing a line of periods that is equal to its length.
When using block quotes, always consider using a colon after a sentence leading to the quotation. And remember about proper indentation and spacing. Make sure you divide your main text using the proper MLA format heading.
Prose MLA Block Quote Example
Here is an example of prose quotation:
Example of MLA Block Quote: Poetry
And here is how you cite lines of poem in an MLA paper:
Conclusion
As you see, MLA block quote formatting is not that hard if you know all details. Following writing style requirements is one step to getting a good grade for doing hard work. We hope that information presented in this article was helpful.
Although we always aim at providing the most straightforward guidelines for students, some of you might not have enough time to spend on writing. Therefore, we offer top-notch academic writing assistance for everyone. Ask our professional writers to do the job for you, and you'll get an outstanding paper tailored to your needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to insert a block quote MLA?
Here is what you need to do to insert an MLA block quote in Microsoft Word:
- Press "Enter" at the beginning and end of your citation.
- Highlight your quotation and choose Layout menu.
- Change left indent to 0.5" on the Indent tab.
2. How long can a block quote be in MLA?
Usually, an MLA block quote is used when you cite more than 4 lines of prose or 3 lines of poetry. Although there is no specific requirement to its length, don't make it way too long. Use common sense, and don't include a whole chapter as your citation.
Emma Flores knows all about formatting standards. She shares with StudyCrumb readers tips on creating academic papers that will meet high-quality standards.
Comments
Generally, the formula for how to insert a block quote MLA in Word is already covered in FAQs of this article. You can feel free to use it since it is relevant for Microsoft Word 2010 as well. Follow these simple steps:
1. Press "Enter" at the beginning and end of your citation.
2. Highlight your quotation and choose Layout menu.
3. Change left indent to 0.5" on the Indent tab.
Hope this will help!
Thank you for the useful information. Block quotes were a problem for me until I read this article. However, I still have one question: do I indent after a block quote in mla?
Good question, thanks! Yes, you should Indent all lines of the block quote. For MLA, indent should be one full inch. Hope our answer helps! Good Luck!