How To Write A Quote In MLA Format: A Comprehensive Guide

Writing a research paper often involves incorporating quotes to support your arguments. Knowing how to properly cite these quotes in MLA format is crucial to avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing clear examples and addressing common questions.

Understanding MLA In-Text Citations

Before diving into the specifics of formatting quotes, let’s understand the core principle of MLA in-text citations. Essentially, you need to provide brief information within your text that allows the reader to easily locate the full source in your “Works Cited” page. This information typically includes the author’s last name and page number.

Short Quotes (Four Lines or Less)

For quotes of four lines or less, you should integrate them directly into your sentence using quotation marks. Here’s how:

“This is a short quote,” explains Smith (123).

Notice how the quote is seamlessly integrated into the sentence. The author’s last name and page number are enclosed in parentheses immediately following the quote. Punctuation comes after the parentheses.

Incorporating Longer Quotes (Block Quotes)

Quotes exceeding four lines require a different approach. These are called block quotes and are formatted as follows:

This is a longer quote that exceeds four lines. It requires a different formatting style to ensure clarity and readability within your paper. Proper formatting showcases your attention to detail and academic rigor (Smith 123-124).

Observe the following key differences from short quotes:

• Indentation: The entire quote is indented one inch from the left margin.
• Quotation Marks: Block quotes do not require quotation marks.
• Citation: The citation (author’s last name and page range) is placed after the final punctuation mark of the block quote.

Handling Ellipses and Brackets in Quotes

Sometimes, you may need to modify a quote to fit your sentence structure. This involves using ellipses (…) to indicate omitted words and brackets [ ] to add clarifying information.

Using Ellipses

Ellipses show that you’ve removed words from the original quote without altering its meaning. For example:

The original quote states: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog and the sleepy cat.” You could shorten it to: “The quick brown fox…jumps over the lazy dog.”

Using Brackets

Brackets allow you to add clarifying words or phrases to the quote without changing its original meaning. For example:

Original quote: “The dog ran.” Modified quote: “The [brown] dog ran.”

Citing Multiple Authors and Works

When citing multiple authors, use “and” to join the last two authors’ names. If there are three or more authors, use only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”

Example with two authors: (Smith and Jones 123) Example with three or more authors: (Smith et al. 123)

Quoting from Electronic Sources

Quoting from online sources requires similar formatting to print sources, but often lacks page numbers. In such cases, you can use paragraph numbers (¶) or section headings to guide the reader to the specific quote within the online source. For example: (Smith, para. 3) or (Smith, “Introduction”).

Formatting Quotes within Quotes

If you need to quote a quote, use single quotation marks within the double quotation marks. For example:

Smith argues, “Jones stated, ‘This is a quote within a quote.’” (Smith 123)

Avoiding Over-Quoting

While quotes are important, avoid over-relying on them. Paraphrasing and summarizing are equally crucial skills for academic writing. Strive for a balance, using quotes strategically to support your points.

The Importance of Accurate Quotation

Accuracy is paramount. Always double-check your quotes against the original source to ensure they are reproduced correctly. Even a minor error can undermine your credibility.

Creating a Works Cited Page

Remember, your in-text citations must correspond to entries in your “Works Cited” page, which lists all the sources you’ve used. MLA formatting guidelines provide specific instructions for formatting each type of source (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Conclusion

Mastering MLA quote formatting is essential for producing credible academic work. By understanding how to handle short and long quotes, use ellipses and brackets correctly, and cite sources accurately, you can confidently integrate quotes into your writing while maintaining academic integrity. Remember to always double-check your work and consult the official MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the author’s name isn’t mentioned in the quote itself? If the author’s name is not included in the quoted material, you’ll need to include it in the parenthetical citation.

How do I cite a quote from a translation? Include the translator’s name in your citation after the author’s name. For example: (Smith, trans. Jones 123).

Can I use a quote without quotation marks if it’s a block quote? Yes, block quotes (quotes longer than four lines) do not require quotation marks. They are set off visually by indentation.

What should I do if the page number is unavailable? If a page number is unavailable, you can omit it from your in-text citation. However, make sure your Works Cited entry is as complete as possible.

Is it okay to slightly change a quote to fit my sentence? Minor grammatical changes are acceptable, but only if they do not alter the meaning of the quote. Use brackets to indicate any changes you make.