As a student, I know how overwhelming it can be to write papers, especially when it’s nearing the end of the course or around graduation time. The pressure to get everything just right, especially the formatting, can be intense. One challenge that many students face is how to block quote MLA style. It can be confusing, especially when you're unsure of the right format or don’t know when to use block quotes in the first place. So, how do you quote blocks in MLA style? And what exactly is MLA style? In this article, I’ll walk you through some clear methods and tips to make the process much easier.
What Is the MLA?
MLA format, developed by the Modern Language Association, provides a standardized way to organize and cite sources in academic writing, particularly in the arts and humanities. It covers everything from headings and in-text citations to works cited pages, ensuring consistency and proper credit for sources.
It is used for final drafts of academic writing in subjects like English, literature, philosophy, and arts. Always check with your instructor if you're unsure which format to use. You’ll also use MLA for outlines, research proposals, and source lists, though drafts don't require full formatting. Using MLA from the start can help you gauge page counts and maintain consistency.
Features of MLA Format
How to Format a Block Quote in MLA Style?
Now, let’s talk about block quotes. Block quotes are used when you’re quoting a passage that is longer than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry. These quotes stand out by being indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, and they don’t require quotation marks. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to quote block in MLA style:
When to Use Block Quotes in MLA:
In MLA style, the length of the quotation determines when to use block quotes.
For prose sources like books or journal articles, block quotes should be used when the quote extends to five or more lines on your page. You might not realize this until you’ve typed the quote out, but if it exceeds that length, it's time for a block format.
For poetry, block quotes are required when the quotation is four or more lines long from the original source. Make sure to preserve the poet’s line breaks within the block quote.
Block quotes are especially useful when the exact wording of the original text plays a key role in your analysis. In literary essays, for example, block quotes showcase how authors utilize literary techniques. Similarly, in essays about social issues, block quotes should be reserved for passages that are so powerful that paraphrasing would distort their meaning. This ensures that the full impact of the original text is conveyed. If you need a step-by-step guide on block quote in APA then follow our guide on APA Block Quotations.
Now let's look at how to quote block in MLA style examples using both prose and poetry formats to help clarify the process.
Example 1: Block Quote of Prose
In his novel Moby-Dick, Herman Melville introduces Captain Ahab’s obsession with the white whale, which becomes a symbol of both his vengeance and inner turmoil. The intensity of Ahab's fixation is revealed through his own words:
From hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear! (Melville 563)
Example 2: Block Quote of Poetry
In Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers”, the poet likens hope to a bird that sings through life's storms. The metaphor beautifully captures hope’s persistence, even in the most challenging circumstances:
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm. (Dickinson)
Step-by-Step Guide:
Now, let's look at how to write a block quote MLA step by step.
Step 1: Start by introducing the block quote with a sentence that ends in a colon. This sentence should include the author’s name and give context to the quote, explaining what it says and why it’s relevant to your argument.
Step 2: Then you will insert your quote below the first sentence, and you will use the exact same words here that the author has used.
Step 3: Use block formatting by ensuring the quotation is double-spaced, like the rest of your MLA document.
Step 4: Indent the entire quote ½ inch from the left margin and maintain the original punctuation and capitalization.
Note: If quoting poetry, preserve the original line breaks.
Step 5: Write a citation directly after the final punctuation mark of the block quote. The citation for block quotes goes after the punctuation, unlike shorter quotes. If you’ve already introduced the author’s name in the sentence before the quote, only include the page number if there’s locator information available.
Step 6: Never end a paragraph with a block quote. After the quote, take time to explain how it supports your main argument and why it’s important to the topic you're discussing in the paragraph.
Even when working with multiple authors, it’s important to follow specific guidelines for how to quote block in MLA style no/multiple authors, no matter how many authors you are citing.
Do Quotes in MLA Best Helper: WPS Office
If you’re like me, you’ll appreciate tools that make your life easier. That’s where WPS Office comes in. As a free, AI-powered office tool, WPS Office helps with formatting block quotes and citations in MLA style, saving you tons of time and effort.
WPS Office’s compatibility with Google Docs and Word means you can easily format your work, regardless of the platform you use. It automatically generates MLA citations with just a few clicks, and you don’t even need to stress about remembering the exact format. WPS Office’s citation tool acts like a quotes in MLA generator, making formatting your block quotes easy and accurate.
How to Format Block Quote in MLA Style on WPS
Step 1: Search for WPS Office and click on New document.
Step 2: Click on the line spacing icon and choose 2.0 for double spacing.
Step 3: Go to Page Layout, then click Margins on the top left and set them to normal.
Step 4: Keep the formatting as Times New Roman consistently throughout the document.
Step 5: Start by introducing the block quote with a sentence that ends in a colon. This sentence should include the author’s name and give context to the quote, explaining what it says and why it’s relevant to your argument.
Step 6: Then you will insert your quote below the first sentence, you will use the exact same words here that the author has used.
Step 7: Select the text you want to indent and right-click it. Select Paragraph from the menu that opens up.
Step 8: Then, go to indentation and set Before text indentation to 0.5 and set special to first line so that only your first line is indented, and click Ok.
Step 9: After you are done with the formatting, WPS AI can help you clear your doubts. Just go to WPS AI in the ribbon and click on one of the many available options to further check your writing.
Using WPS Office to format a block quote MLA is incredibly easy. The program automatically adjusts the indentation and spacing once you set it, saving me time. I especially like how it generates MLA citations with just a click through its AI and references tab. This feature makes formatting papers so much faster, and I no longer worry about manually adjusting the text. WPS Office makes writing papers efficient and hassle-free.
FAQs
Q1: What are the differences between short quotes and block quotes?
Short quotes are typically fewer than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry and are incorporated into the paragraph without indentation. Block quotes are longer than this and must be indented ½ inch from the left margin, without quotation marks.
Q2: How do I handle multiple paragraphs within a single MLA block quote?
If your block quote includes multiple paragraphs, indent the first line of each new paragraph an additional 0.25 inches. This ensures the separate paragraphs are clearly distinguished.
Q3: What should I do if I want to omit part of a quote that spans across multiple paragraphs?
If you’re omitting part of a quote between paragraphs, use an ellipsis (…) at the point of omission. This will show where the text has been shortened without changing the meaning.
Q4: Can I use block quotes for short quotes in MLA?
No, MLA style reserves block quotes for longer passages, typically more than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry. Shorter quotes should be included in the main text without indentation.
