Quoting using MLA format involves integrating a source's exact words into your writing with proper in-text citation, punctuation, and formatting. This includes placing quoted text in double quotation marks, citing the author and page number in parentheses, and aligning the quote with the source's original wording.
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is used primarily in humanities disciplines such as literature, languages, and cultural studies. Its purpose is to give readers clear access to the sources you've used while maintaining academic integrity. A correctly formatted quote shows that you've engaged directly with the material rather than summarizing or paraphrasing it.
The core rule: whenever you reproduce someone else's exact words, you must enclose them in double quotation marks and follow them with a parenthetical citation. For example: "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven" (Milton 26).
When you include a direct quote in your text, you must preserve the original wording, spelling, and punctuation unless you are correcting a typo or indicating a change. If you alter the original, use square brackets to show the change. For example: "She said [he] was late."
Place the in-text citation immediately after the quote, before the closing quotation mark. The citation includes the author's last name and the page number(s) from the source. If the author's name appears in the sentence, only the page number goes in parentheses. For example: Milton argues that "the mind is its own place" (26).
If the quote spans multiple lines, use a block quote format. This applies to quotes that are four or more lines long. Block quotes are indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, do not use quotation marks, and the citation comes after the period, outside the quotation marks.
There are two main types of quotes in MLA: short quotes (fewer than four lines) and long quotes (four or more lines). Each requires different formatting.
| Quote Type | Length | Indentation | Quotation Marks | Citation Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short quote | Under 4 lines | None | Double quotes | After quote, before closing quote |
| Long quote | 4 or more lines | 0.5 inch indent | None | After period, outside quotation marks |
For short quotes, keep the text within the paragraph. Use double quotation marks around the entire quote. Place the citation immediately after the quote, before the closing quotation mark. For example: "The soul is not a thing, but a process" (Woolf 45).
For long quotes, begin the quote on a new line, indent 0.5 inches from the left margin, and do not use quotation marks. After the quote ends, place the citation after the final punctuation. The citation includes the author's last name and page number, separated by a space. For example:
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."
- Jorge Luis Borges, "The Library of Babel," in The Book of Sand, translated by Norman Thomas di Giovanni, Penguin Classics, 1977, p. 112.
Block quotes do not require quotation marks because they are visually set apart from the rest of the text.
One frequent error is placing the citation inside the quotation marks. This is incorrect. The citation belongs outside the closing quotation mark for short quotes. For example: "This is a quote" (Smith 15) - not "This is a quote" (Smith 15).
Another mistake is omitting the page number. Even if you're quoting from a source with no page numbers (such as a website or e-book), you must still provide a location. If there are no page numbers, use a section heading, chapter number, or paragraph number. For example: (Smith, ch. 3) or (Smith, para. 7).
A lesser-known rule: if you modify the capitalization or punctuation of a quote, use square brackets to indicate the change. For example: "She said, '[T]he meeting was canceled'" (Jones 22). This preserves accuracy while showing the alteration.
Suppose you are analyzing a passage from Toni Morrison's *Beloved* and want to quote her description of Sethe's memory. The original text says: "She had the best thing, she had her own." (Morrison 114).
To integrate this into your essay properly, you would write:
Sethe's sense of self is tied to ownership. As Morrison writes, "She had the best thing, she had her own" (114).
This integrates the quote smoothly into your sentence. The quotation marks are used correctly, the citation follows immediately after the quote, and the page number is included. No extra punctuation is added between the quote and the citation.
I once reviewed a student paper where the quote was placed in double quotes, but the citation was written as "(Morrison, 114)" with a comma. The instructor returned it with a note: "Use a space, not a comma." MLA uses a space between the author's name and the page number in parentheses.
Direct quotation is not required for every idea. Paraphrasing is often preferred when the meaning can be accurately conveyed in your own words. Over-quoting can weaken your argument and suggest reliance on others' language rather than your own analysis.
Use direct quotes only when the original phrasing is essential-when the author's diction, tone, or structure adds critical insight. For example, quoting Shakespeare's "To be, or not to be" is appropriate because the specific wording carries philosophical weight.
When in doubt, ask: "Would changing the words alter the meaning?" If yes, quote. If no, paraphrase.
According to the MLA Handbook (9th edition), "A quotation should be integrated into your prose and not appear as a standalone sentence" (MLA 89). This reinforces the idea that quotes are tools for support, not stand-alone evidence.
Also, the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) confirms that "block quotes are indented 0.5 inches and are not enclosed in quotation marks" (Purdue OWL, "MLA Formatting and Style Guide").
Always verify your formatting against the latest edition of the MLA Handbook or trusted institutional guides. Rules evolve, especially regarding digital sources and online publications.
Correctly quoting using MLA format strengthens your academic work. It demonstrates precision, respect for sources, and adherence to scholarly standards. Mastering this skill ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.