How to add quotes in mla format

The punctuation for integrating academic quotes is a little different than dialogue punctuation. When a quotation ends a sentence and the parenthetical citation is at the end, the period should come after the citation. Additionally, there are separate rules for long quotations.

Quotes That End a Sentence

When a quote with citation ends a sentence, the period should go after the citation because the citation belongs to that sentence.

• Example: In “Synthetic Biology–Putting Engineering into Biology,” Heinemann and Panke theorize about the future of synthetic biology, declaring, “Now, synthetic biology is adopting a very ambitious agenda in building novel biological entities” (2797).

Note the order of the punctuation: Quotation mark, citation, and then period.

Use of Ellipses

If only part of a quote is needed, it is possible to omit information and replace it with ellipses. Ellipses (. . .) are used when information is omitted from the middle of a quote.

• Example: Heinemann and Panke theorize about the importance of engineering in the context of biological fabrication when they assert, “Synthetic biology investigates . . . the process of engineering biological systems” (2790).

Using Brackets

Sometimes information is missing or inaccurate in a quote. Words can be added or changed to a quote by using brackets. Changes can be used to correct tense or to add necessary information. Brackets can also be used to make the pronouns in a quote consistent. However, brackets should not be used to change the meaning of the quote.

Brackets for Pronoun Consistency

• Nathan said, “I want people to understand me.”
• Nathan said that he wants people “to understand [him].”
• In this example, the pronoun is changed so it is consistent with the rest of the sentence.

Brackets for Additional Information

• Nathan said, “I need the people to arrive on that day.”
• Nathan said, “I need the people to arrive on [Sunday October 29th ].”
• Information can be added to a sentence with brackets for clarity or understanding.

Quote Introduced with a Colon

If the introduction to a quote is a full sentence, then a colon can be used. Choosing a colon instead of a comma creates a longer pause and puts more emphasis on the quote.

• When alone in a room, Descartes had a thought: “I think, therefore I am” (Descartes).

Block Quotes

When using a long quote (longer than four typed lines) block quotes should be used. Block the quote by one-half inch from the left margin. If the paper is double spaced, then the block quote should be double spaced. There are no quotation marks needed for block quotes, and the citation follows the quote, outside of the period.

• Heinemann and Panke highlight the importance of DNA synthesis and protein engineering in relation to synthetic biology in the following statement:
  • Synthetic biology is interpreted as the engineering-driven building of increasingly complex biological entities for novel applications. Encouraged by progress in the design of artificial gene networks, de novo DNA synthesis and protein engineering, we review the case for this emerging discipline. (2790)

Sources

Heinemann, M., & Panke, S. (2006). Synthetic biology-putting engineering into biology. Bioinformatics, 22(22), 2790-2799. doi:10.1093/bioinformatics/btl469

Russell, T., Brizee, A., Elizabeth, A. Keck, R., Paiz, M., Campbell, M., Fuentes, Owl Purdue Staff. (2012). MLA Formatting Quotations. Retrieved October 26, 2017, from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/

UNC College of Arts and Science. (n.d.). Quotations. Retrieved October 29, 2017, from http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/quotations/

Including quotations to your MLA 8 school essay or research paper adds strength to it. Quotes help the reader understand the original sources while also reinforcing your thesis. Although you don’t want to overuse long quotations in your paper, it is sometimes necessary, particularly for poems. To properly set the quote off from the rest of the paper, you’ll need to format it correctly. In MLA citations, use a block quote format under these circumstances:

• More than four lines of prose (not poetry)
• More than three lines of verse (poems, etc.)

How to Format Block Quotations for Prose

Follow these guidelines when you’d like to use a block quote for a section of prose:

1. Start new line
2. Double-space
3. No quotation marks
4. Indent 0.5 inches from left margin
5. Parenthetical (in-text) citation is placed after the block quote (author’s last name page number)

Example

Her gift for the written word and her poetic nature speaks for itself in this passage from her autobiographical work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings:

I have tried often to search behind the sophistication of years for the enchantment I so easily found in those gifts. The essence escapes but its aura remains. To be allowed, no, invited, into the private lives of strangers, and to share their joys and fears, was a chance to exchange the Southern bitter wormwood for a cup of mead with Beowulf or a hot cup of tea and milk with Oliver Twist. When I said aloud, “It is a far far better thing that I do, than I have ever done …” tears of love filled my eyes at my selflessness. (Angelou 196)

Quoting Two or More Paragraphs

If you include a quotation that has two or more paragraphs, put it in a block quote, even if it’s less than four lines.

Block Verse Quotations Format

When quoting a stanza or more from a poem or other verse, keep the original line breaks. Follow the same formatting as for prose:

1. Start new line
2. Double-space
3. No quotation marks
4. Indent 0.5 inches from left margin
5. Parenthetical (in-text) citation is placed after the block quote (author’s last name page number)

Example

Maya Angelou’s powerful poem on death, “When Great Trees Fall,” takes the reader through the shock of death to the peaceful acceptance of the change within us:

And when great souls die,
after a period, peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly.
Spaces fill with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be.
Be and be better.
For they existed. (Poetry Daily)

Formatting Edited Quotations

If you add or take out words within a quotation, you need to let your reader know.

Place square brackets around added words, like this:

Gabriel Hernandez states that “people [who celebrate diversity] find their lives enriched immensely” (82).

You may leave out words within a quotation if they don’t add to your statement by using an ellipsis. For example:

In his essay, Hernandez explains that “diversity in schools … leads to an enriched environment but also provides challenges to teachers” (79).

Note: Add a space before and after the ellipsis.

Add Depth to the Discussion

Adding quotations and poetry to your MLA format essay gives it an added depth and helps draw the reader into your essay. They also strengthen your thesis. Some instructors require adding quotations as well. As always, follow your teacher’s guidance.

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