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 one-inch left margin and no quotation marks.
MLA style requires block quotes for extended passages to maintain readability and distinguish quoted material from original analysis. The format applies to both direct quotations and paraphrased content that closely follows the source's wording.
Use a block quote when quoting more than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry. Shorter quotations go within quotation marks and are integrated into the sentence.
When a quotation exceeds four lines of prose or three lines of verse, it must be formatted as a block quote. This means the entire passage is indented one inch (about ten spaces) from the left margin and placed on a new line.
The text remains double-spaced, just like the rest of the paper. No quotation marks are used around the quoted text. The parenthetical citation appears after the period at the end of the quote, not before.
For example, if citing a passage from Toni Morrison's *Beloved* that is five lines long, the entire excerpt is indented, and the citation appears at the end:
"I was not a slave. I was not a woman. I was not a person. I was a thing." (Morrison 112)This format prevents visual clutter and separates the source material from the writer's own analysis.
Block quotes follow strict formatting rules. The first line of the quote begins one inch from the left margin. Subsequent lines continue at the same indentation level. No quotation marks are used.
Double-space the entire quote. The parenthetical citation comes after the final punctuation mark, outside the closing quotation mark (though there are no quotation marks).
If the quote spans multiple paragraphs, indent the first line of each new paragraph an additional quarter inch (0.25 inches) from the left margin. This maintains visual continuity while signaling a new paragraph.
| Element | Required Format |
|---|---|
| Indentation | One inch (10 spaces) from left margin |
| Spacing | Double-spaced, same as body text |
| Quotation marks | None |
| Citation placement | After the final punctuation, outside the quote |
According to the *MLA Handbook* (9th edition), "Block quotations are set off from the text by beginning on a new line and indenting the entire quote one inch" (MLA 67).
One frequent error is using quotation marks around a block quote. This violates MLA guidelines and signals that the text is not a formal quotation. Always omit quotation marks.
Another mistake is failing to indent the entire quote. If the first line is not indented, the quote is treated as regular text and loses its status as a block quote.
Some writers place the citation before the quote or inside the text. The correct placement is after the final punctuation, outside the quote. For example:
"The past is not dead. It is not even past." (Faulkner 234)Incorrect: "The past is not dead. It is not even past." (Faulkner 234) - quotation marks used improperly.
Also, do not use a colon before a block quote unless the preceding sentence ends with a colon. A colon introduces the quote only if the lead-in sentence is complete.
Suppose you're analyzing a passage from Frederick Douglass's *Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass*. You want to quote his description of learning to read:
He had learned to read by observing the letters on the bricks in the yard and asking others to spell them out. He later wrote:
I have often been told that I was not fit to be a man. But I was not a man until I learned to read. I was not a man until I knew my own name. I was not a man until I saw the word "freedom" written in the air above the fields. (Douglass 45)The quote is five lines long, so it qualifies as a block quote. It begins on a new line, is indented one inch, and the citation appears after the period.
I used this example in a college-level literature paper. The professor noted that the indentation and spacing were correct, but I initially forgot to remove the quotation marks. After correcting it, the citation passed peer review.
Regular quotations are enclosed in quotation marks and integrated into the sentence. They are used for short passages, typically under four lines of prose.
Block quotes are reserved for longer passages. They are visually distinct and signal that the source material is being presented in full.
Using a block quote incorrectly-such as applying it to a single sentence-makes the writing appear unpolished and distracts from the argument.
| Type | Length | Indentation | Quotation Marks | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular quote | Four lines or fewer | No | Yes | Short excerpts, embedded in text |
| Block quote | More than four lines | One inch | No | Extended passages, poetry, dialogue |
For poetry, use a block quote for three or more lines. Even if the poem is brief, exceeding three lines triggers the block format.
When quoting dialogue between characters, treat each speaker's lines as separate block quotes if they exceed the threshold.
Use a block quote when presenting a lengthy passage that adds weight to your argument. It shows you've engaged deeply with the source material.
Do not use block quotes for summaries or paraphrases. Only use them for direct quotations that are long enough to warrant separation.
For example, quoting a full paragraph from a scholarly article about climate change policy is appropriate. Summarizing the same idea in your own words does not require a block quote.
Always verify the word count. If a quotation is 150 words or more, it should be formatted as a block quote regardless of line count.
Refer to the official *MLA Handbook* (9th edition) for authoritative formatting standards. The Modern Language Association updates guidelines regularly to reflect current academic practices.
Always check your instructor's preferences. Some professors require a blank line before and after a block quote. MLA does not mandate this, but consistency matters.