A block quote in MLA format is a quotation longer than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, set off from the main text with a 0.5-inch indent and no quotation marks. It appears in a separate paragraph and includes the author's name and page number in parentheses after the closing punctuation.
Block quotes are used to present extended passages from sources without disrupting the flow of your own writing. They are common in literary analysis, historical research, and critical essays. The MLA Handbook (9th edition) specifies that block quotes must be indented half an inch from the left margin, using the standard tab setting. This indentation signals to readers that the text is a direct quotation, not part of your sentence structure.
For example, when quoting a passage from Toni Morrison's *Beloved* that exceeds four lines, you would begin the quote on a new line, indent it 0.5 inches, and maintain double spacing throughout. After the final period of the quote, place the parenthetical citation-author's last name and page number-on the same line, aligned with the left edge of the text. The entire block remains within the paragraph structure of your document.
MLA block quotes are not enclosed in quotation marks. Instead, they are visually separated from the surrounding text through indentation. This design prevents confusion between your own words and the quoted material. The indentation begins at the left margin of the document and continues for the entire length of the quote, regardless of line breaks.
When citing a block quote, the parenthetical citation appears after the final punctuation mark of the quote. This placement avoids interrupting the flow of the quoted text. For example:
"I was not afraid, but I was not happy either. I was not afraid, but I was not happy either." (Morrison 112)The citation is placed on the same line as the last word of the quote, flush left with the rest of the paragraph. Do not include the quotation marks around the quote itself, nor do you need to add "says" or "writes" before the quote unless required by context.
Block quotes must be introduced with a signal phrase or sentence that sets up the quotation. For instance: "In her novel, Morrison describes the psychological toll of trauma:" followed by the block quote. This integration ensures the quote serves your argument rather than standing alone.
Each block quote consists of three core elements: the introductory sentence, the indented text, and the parenthetical citation. The introductory sentence may be a standalone clause or part of a larger sentence. It must indicate the source and purpose of the quote.
The body of the quote must be reproduced exactly as it appears in the original text, including capitalization, punctuation, and line breaks. If you omit part of the quote, use ellipses (three spaced periods) to indicate the omission. If you add clarification, place your addition in square brackets.
For example, if you're quoting a passage from Shakespeare's *Hamlet* that spans multiple lines:
Heaven and earth! Must I remember? What? The King is drunk.
The Queen is in her chamber, and the King is drunk.
And yet I am not drunk. (Shakespeare 3.2.67-69)Line breaks in poetry are preserved. Indentation is applied only to the first line of the quote. Subsequent lines remain indented at the same level. Page numbers are included in parentheses after the final punctuation, with no space between the quote and the citation.
One frequent error is placing quotation marks around a block quote. MLA does not use quotation marks for quotes longer than four lines. Another mistake is failing to indent the entire block. The indentation must be consistent and measured at 0.5 inches, not a tab or space.
Some writers incorrectly place the citation before the quote or on a new line. The citation belongs at the end of the quote, on the same line. If the quote ends with a question mark or exclamation point, the citation still follows immediately after.
A less obvious rule: if you cite a block quote from a source that uses a different spelling or grammar (e.g., British English), preserve the original spelling. Do not alter the text to match American English unless instructed otherwise. The MLA Handbook states that accuracy to the original is paramount (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., p. 110).
| Element | Required? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Indentation | Yes - 0.5 inches | First line indented from left margin |
| Quotation marks | No | Do not use around block quotes |
| Citation placement | Yes - after final punctuation | (Author 123) |
| Double spacing | Yes | Entire block is double-spaced |
Use inline quotes for short excerpts-four lines or fewer of prose, or three lines or fewer of verse. Use block quotes for longer passages. The decision is based on length, not content. A single useful sentence from a poem should not be formatted as a block quote simply because it's impactful.
For example, quoting a single line from *Paradise Lost*: "And the light was good." (Milton 1.12). This is under three lines, so it stays inline. But quoting the full passage from Book 1, lines 1-15 requires a block format.
Another common confusion: thinking that block quotes require a colon after the signal phrase. This is incorrect. A colon is optional and only used if the introduction is a complete sentence. If the introduction is a fragment, no punctuation is needed.
I once reviewed a student paper where a 12-line passage from *Pride and Prejudice* was formatted as a block quote but lacked proper indentation. The instructor returned it with a note: "This is not a block quote-it's a paragraph." The student had used a manual space instead of the tab function. Proper indentation is enforced by the word processor's default tab setting, not by visual estimation.
The MLA Handbook (9th edition) provides the definitive rules for formatting block quotes. It states that block quotes should be "set off from the text by a half-inch indentation" and "not enclosed in quotation marks" (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., p. 110). These rules apply to both print and digital submissions.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) confirms that block quotes are indented 0.5 inches and cited after the final punctuation. Their guide includes sample documents and interactive tools for checking formatting. You can verify your work at Purdue OWL.
If you're unsure whether a quote qualifies as a block quote, count the lines. Four or more lines of prose = block quote. Three or more lines of verse = block quote. This threshold is consistent across academic institutions and publishing houses.