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How to Handle Format a Block Quote Step by Step
When format a block quote leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
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Part
1
Forming a Block Quote in MLA
1
Use a block quote for quotations longer than 3 to 4 lines.
When using MLA format, a block quote should be used if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem. Use a block quote if the text is longer than 4 lines of prose, such as in a novel.
- When using MLA format, a block quote should be used if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem.
- Use a block quote if the text is longer than 4 lines of prose, such as in a novel.
- When using MLA format, a block quote should be used if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem.
- Use a block quote if the text is longer than 4 lines of prose, such as in a novel.
- When using MLA format, a block quote should be used if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem.
2
Introduce the quote with a short sentence.
Place a colon or a comma at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote, depending on what’s appropriate. Use a colon when the quote is a continuation of your thought. Use a comma to show what the author said. For example, you might write:
- Place a colon or a comma at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote, depending on what’s appropriate.
- Use a colon when the quote is a continuation of your thought.
- Use a comma to show what the author said.
- For example, you might write:
- Place a colon or a comma at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote, depending on what’s appropriate.
3
Add the quote on a new line without quotation marks.
Unlike short quotations in MLA, block quotes do not need any quotation marks. You will need to start the quote on a separate line. Press enter to create a new paragraph for your quote. For example, your quote might look like:
- Unlike short quotations in MLA, block quotes do not need any quotation marks.
- You will need to start the quote on a separate line.
- Press enter to create a new paragraph for your quote.
- For example, your quote might look like:
- Unlike short quotations in MLA, block quotes do not need any quotation marks.
4
Indent the quote 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from the left margin.
The entire quote should be indented so that it looks like a “block” of text separate from the rest of the paragraph. To do this, highlight the whole quote and press the “Tab” button on your keyboard. You can also move the tabs on the ruler above your word document 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) to the right.
- The entire quote should be indented so that it looks like a “block” of text separate from the rest of the paragraph.
- To do this, highlight the whole quote and press the “Tab” button on your keyboard.
- You can also move the tabs on the ruler above your word document 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) to the right.
- The entire quote should be indented so that it looks like a “block” of text separate from the rest of the paragraph.
- To do this, highlight the whole quote and press the “Tab” button on your keyboard.
5
Use proper citation for the source.
Make sure to include a proper citation for the source of the quote, such as an author name or title page number.
- Make sure to include a proper citation for the source of the quote, such as an author name or title page number.
- Make sure to include a proper citation for the source of the quote, such as an author name or title page number.
- Make sure to include a proper citation for the source of the quote, such as an author name or title page number.
- Make sure to include a proper citation for the source of the quote, such as an author name or title page number.
- Make sure to include a proper citation for the source of the quote, such as an author name or title page number.
6
Check for consistency
Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
7
Proofread carefully
Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
Part
2
Making a Block Quote in APA
1
Use block quotes for quotations that are 40 words or longer.
APA style dictates that you use a block quote based on the number of words. Count the words in your quote to determine if it has more than 40. If so, use a block quote.
- APA style dictates that you use a block quote based on the number of words.
- Count the words in your quote to determine if it has more than 40.
- If so, use a block quote.
- APA style dictates that you use a block quote based on the number of words.
- Count the words in your quote to determine if it has more than 40.
2
Introduce the quote with a signal phrase.
The signal phrase is a sentence that tells your reader that you are about to cite a quote. Put a comma or a colon at the end of this phrase. There are 3 common ways to introduce a block quote in APA style. You can:
- The signal phrase is a sentence that tells your reader that you are about to cite a quote.
- Put a comma or a colon at the end of this phrase.
- There are 3 common ways to introduce a block quote in APA style.
- The signal phrase is a sentence that tells your reader that you are about to cite a quote.
- Put a comma or a colon at the end of this phrase.
3
Indent the quote 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from the left margin.
Start the quote on a new line. Highlight the quote and press tab once. Alternatively, move the tabs on the ruler above the document over 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm). The entire quote must be indented. You do not need to use quotation marks for the quote.
- Start the quote on a new line.
- Highlight the quote and press tab once.
- Alternatively, move the tabs on the ruler above the document over 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm).
- The entire quote must be indented.
- You do not need to use quotation marks for the quote.
4
Make the quote double-spaced
Double-space the quote to make it easier to read and understand.
- Double-space the quote to make it easier to read and understand.
- Double-space the quote to make it easier to read and understand.
- Double-space the quote to make it easier to read and understand.
- Double-space the quote to make it easier to read and understand.
- Double-space the quote to make it easier to read and understand.
5
Use a hanging indent
Use a hanging indent to separate the quote from the rest of the paragraph, if desired.
- Use a hanging indent to separate the quote from the rest of the paragraph, if desired.
- Use a hanging indent to separate the quote from the rest of the paragraph, if desired.
- Use a hanging indent to separate the quote from the rest of the paragraph, if desired.
- Use a hanging indent to separate the quote from the rest of the paragraph, if desired.
- Use a hanging indent to separate the quote from the rest of the paragraph, if desired.
6
Check APA guidelines
Always check APA guidelines for specific formatting requirements on block quotes.
- Always check APA guidelines for specific formatting requirements on block quotes.
- Always check APA guidelines for specific formatting requirements on block quotes.
- Always check APA guidelines for specific formatting requirements on block quotes.
- Always check APA guidelines for specific formatting requirements on block quotes.
- Always check APA guidelines for specific formatting requirements on block quotes.
7
Proofread carefully
Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
Part
3
Making a Block Quote in Chicago
1
Use block quotes for quotations that are 3 lines or longer.
Chicago style dictates that you use a block quote if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem. Use a block quote if the text is longer than 4 lines of prose, such as in a novel.
- Chicago style dictates that you use a block quote if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem.
- Use a block quote if the text is longer than 4 lines of prose, such as in a novel.
- Chicago style dictates that you use a block quote if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem.
- Use a block quote if the text is longer than 4 lines of prose, such as in a novel.
- Chicago style dictates that you use a block quote if the material you are quoting is longer than 3 lines of verse, such as in a poem.
2
Introduce the quote with a parenthetical citation
Chicago style requires that you include a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote. This citation should include the author’s name and page number(s). For example, you might write:“The author’s words are powerful.” (Smith 23).
- Chicago style requires that you include a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote.
- This citation should include the author’s name and page number(s).
- For example, you might write:“The author’s words are powerful.” (Smith 23).
- Chicago style requires that you include a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote.
- This citation should include the author’s name and page number(s).
3
Indent the quote 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from the left margin
Start the quote on a new line. Highlight the quote and press tab once. Alternatively, move the tabs on the ruler above the document over 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm). The entire quote must be indented. You do not need to use quotation marks for the quote.
- Start the quote on a new line.
- Highlight the quote and press tab once.
- Alternatively, move the tabs on the ruler above the document over 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm).
- The entire quote must be indented.
- You do not need to use quotation marks for the quote.
4
Use a parenthetical citation
Chicago style requires that you include a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote. This citation should include the author’s name and page number(s). For example, you might write:“The author’s words are powerful.” (Smith 23).
- Chicago style requires that you include a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote.
- This citation should include the author’s name and page number(s).
- For example, you might write:“The author’s words are powerful.” (Smith 23).
- Chicago style requires that you include a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that leads up to the block quote.
- This citation should include the author’s name and page number(s).
5
Check for consistency
Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
- Check that your block quote is formatted consistently throughout the document.
6
Proofread carefully
Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
- Carefully proofread your work to ensure there are no formatting errors or missing quotation marks.
Community Q&A
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References
- https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_quotations.html
- https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/
- https://butlercc.libguides.com/c.php?g=220263&p=1458165
- https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/citations/quotations
- https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/block-quotations
- https://www.una.edu/writingcenter/docs/Writing-Resources/Introduction%20to%20Chicago-Turabian%20Style.pdf
- https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Chicago%20Style.pdf
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