Mla Format For A Quote

When incorporating quotes into a research paper or essay, it is essential to format them correctly to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original author. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is a widely used style for quoting sources in academic writing.

MLA Format for Quotes

In MLA format, quotes are integrated into the text using quotation marks, and the source is cited using a parenthetical citation. The format for quoting sources in MLA style depends on the length of the quote and the type of source.

Short Quotes (Fewer than 4 Lines)

Short quotes are enclosed in quotation marks and cited with a parenthetical citation. The citation includes the author’s last name and page number(s) where the quote can be found. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is included in the parenthetical citation.

Example: The author states, "The importance of proper citation cannot be overstated" (Smith 24). Alternatively, if the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, the citation would be: Smith notes that "proper citation is essential" (24).

Long Quotes (4 or More Lines)

Long quotes are set apart from the text by indenting them 0.5 inches from the left margin. They are not enclosed in quotation marks, and the citation is placed after the period at the end of the quote.

Example: The author emphasizes the significance of quoting sources correctly: The importance of proper citation cannot be overstated. It is essential to give credit to the original author to avoid plagiarism. Proper citation also allows readers to locate the source material (Smith 24-25).

Block Quotes

Block quotes are used for quotes that are 4 or more lines long. They are set apart from the text by indenting them 0.5 inches from the left margin. The citation is placed after the period at the end of the quote.

Example: The following quote illustrates the importance of quoting sources correctly: The importance of proper citation cannot be overstated. It is essential to give credit to the original author to avoid plagiarism. Proper citation also allows readers to locate the source material. (Smith 24-25)

Quotes within Quotes

When quoting a source that already contains a quote, use single quotation marks for the inner quote and double quotation marks for the outer quote.

Example: The author notes, "The professor said, 'proper citation is essential'" (Smith 24).

Quotes without Authors

If the author is not mentioned in the source, use the title of the source in the parenthetical citation. If the title is long, use a shortened version of the title.

Example: "The importance of proper citation cannot be overstated" (Citation Guide 24).

Quotes with Multiple Authors

If the source has two authors, separate their names with “and” in the parenthetical citation. If the source has three or more authors, use the first author’s name followed by “et al.” in the parenthetical citation.

Example: "The importance of proper citation cannot be overstated" (Smith and Johnson 24). Alternatively, for sources with three or more authors: "The importance of proper citation cannot be overstated" (Smith et al. 24).