How do I use MLA block quotes in my essay? ✍️

You've found a great source for your research paper. The only problem is that you need to quote a lot of the text to communicate your point. You start to panic. Are you even allowed to quote this much? Is this allowed in MLA?

Relax! It's time to use an MLA block quote!

Great question! MLA block quotes should be used for quotations that are:

• more than four lines of prose (like from a journal, study, book, etc.)

• more than three lines of poetry

• when showing dialogue in a play

You should only use block quotes when the whole quote is necessary for your point. Don't use it just to fill space!

• Introduce your quote and signal where it starts with a colon.

• On a new line, indent the entire quotation ½ inch from the left margin.

• After the final punctuation mark of your quote, add the in-text citation.

• Make sure the lines are all double-spaced.

For example, a MLA block quote should look something like:

To hear an audio version of the block quote example in the image above, click the play button on the audio player below:

After making your MLA block quote, make sure to comment on it! Use the block quote to explain your point. If you can't justify using the whole block quote, then consider a regular in-text citation.

Then, make sure you add your source to your Works Cited page! Not sure how to make one? Check out this Byte on referencing a source in MLA style.

Please carefully examine the use of block quotes below:

In Moby Dick, the main character states that they go out to sea when they feel they are unable to function in regular society. Ishmael states:

"Whenever I feel like a cold, wet November morning, and I start following funerals, then I know it's time to go back to wide open sea. It always makes me feel better because the sea is magic — it has always been magic. It is an endless source of life and mystery (Melville 2)."

Use MLA block quotes only when absolutely necessary! While you finish your paper, make sure: