When to Use Long Quotes in MLA
Not every quote needs to be a block quote. Generally, you'll use a block quote when the quoted material is:
- Four lines or longer in your own text.
- A poem with more than three lines.
- A prose passage that is particularly impactful or requires detailed analysis.
- A passage that is central to your argument and benefits from being presented in its entirety without interruption.
Using block quotes sparingly is key. Overusing them can make your paper feel like a patchwork of others' words rather than your own reasoned argument. Think of them as special guests in your paper – invited for a specific, important purpose.
How to Format Long Quotes (Block Quotes) in MLA
Formatting a block quote correctly is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and readability. The MLA Handbook provides clear guidelines.
Indentation
The most distinctive feature of an MLA block quote is its indentation.
- Indent the entire block quote one inch from the left margin. This is further than the standard 0.5-inch indentation for regular paragraphs.
- Do not use quotation marks. The indentation itself signals that the text is quoted.
- Double-space the block quote. This matches the rest of your paper's formatting.
Introducing the Block Quote
You introduce a block quote with a colon. This is usually done after a complete sentence that sets up the quotation.
- Example:
As literary critic Harold Bloom famously argued about Shakespeare's genius:
The question of whether Shakespeare invented human nature is, I suspect, a rhetorical one. His characters are not mere reflections of a pre-existing humanity, but rather the source from which our understanding of that humanity has sprung. (Bloom 23)
Notice how the introductory sentence ends with a colon. The colon signals that what follows is directly related to the preceding statement.
Punctuation and Placement
- Placement of the period: In MLA, the period (or other terminal punctuation) for the quote comes before the parenthetical citation. This is a common point of confusion, as other styles might place it after.
- No period after the parenthetical citation: Once the citation is included, you do not add another period. The citation effectively ends the sentence.
Citing the Source
The parenthetical citation for a block quote follows the same principles as for shorter quotes, but its placement is specific.
- Place the parenthetical citation at the end of the quote, after the terminal punctuation.
- Include the author's last name and the page number. If the author's name is mentioned in the introductory sentence, you only need the page number in the parentheses.
- Example (author mentioned in intro):
In his seminal work on ancient philosophy, Plato describes the allegory of the cave:
Then, after that, I said, you will be able to see the sun, and not the reflected images of it in the water, nor yet the images in other places, but the sun itself. (52)
- Example (author not mentioned in intro):
The profound impact of the Industrial Revolution on society is undeniable:
New technologies, while offering unprecedented efficiency, also displaced traditional labor, leading to widespread social unrest and the formation of new economic classes. (Hobsbawm 78)
Integrating Block Quotes into Your Text
A block quote should never appear out of nowhere. It needs to be integrated smoothly into your own writing.
- Provide context: Explain why the quote is important and what it illustrates.
- Follow up with analysis: Don't just drop the quote and move on. Analyze it, explain its significance, and connect it back to your thesis. The quote should serve your argument, not the other way around.
Consider this common mistake:
- Weak integration:
My paper will discuss the themes of alienation in modernist literature. Here is a quote about it:
The city, a monument to progress, became a labyrinth of solitude. Each face a stranger, each street a dead end, the individual dissolved into the anonymous throng, a ghost in the machine. (Joyce 112)
This quote shows alienation.
Now, compare it to a stronger integration:
- Strong integration:
Modernist literature often grapples with the profound sense of alienation experienced by individuals in rapidly urbanizing societies. This theme is vividly captured in James Joyce's portrayal of the city as a "labyrinth of solitude," where "each face a stranger, each street a dead end, the individual dissolved into the anonymous throng, a ghost in the machine" (Joyce 112). This imagery highlights not just a physical disconnect but a deep psychological isolation, suggesting that the very structures built for connection ironically breed disconnection.
Notice how the stronger example introduces the topic, smoothly incorporates the quote, and then immediately analyzes its meaning and connection to the broader argument.
Special Cases for Block Quotes
Poetry
When quoting poetry, if the passage spans more than three lines of verse, it should be formatted as a block quote.
- Maintain original line breaks and stanza breaks.
- Do not use quotation marks.
- Indent the entire block.
- Cite accordingly.
- Example:
T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" paints a picture of modern ennui:
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; I know the voices dying with a dying fall Beneath the music from a farther room. So how should I presume? (Eliot 15)
Plays
When quoting dialogue from a play, the formatting depends on the length and how you introduce it. If you're quoting a substantial amount of dialogue, or stage directions that are lengthy, you might use a block quote.
- For short excerpts of dialogue, integrate them into your text with quotation marks.
- For longer passages, format as a block quote.
- Include speaker names.
- Example:
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the prince's soliloquy reveals his deep despair:
To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? (Shakespeare 3.1.56-60)
Note the citation format for plays, which often includes act, scene, and line numbers.
Prose Passages with Internal Punctuation
Sometimes, you might want to quote a passage that includes its own internal quotation marks.
- Keep the internal quotation marks. The block quote formatting does not remove them.
- Ensure the overall block quote is indented and lacks outer quotation marks.
- Example:
The novel explores the psychological impact of secrets on its characters. One character reflects on a past event:
She confided in me, whispering, "He never meant to hurt us, but his actions spoke louder than his words." I found myself believing her, though the evidence suggested otherwise. (Smith 198)
Why Correct Formatting Matters
Adhering to MLA formatting for long quotes demonstrates attention to detail and respect for scholarly conventions. It ensures your readers can easily distinguish your own analysis from the source material, preventing plagiarism and enhancing the credibility of your work. When in doubt, consulting the official MLA Handbook or seeking assistance from services like EssayGazebo.com can help ensure your citations are perfect.