Everything You Need to Know About Quoting in MLA Format

What’s the Purpose of Quoting in MLA Format?

When you’re writing an essay, you’ll often need to quote other sources to support your point of view. Quoting in MLA format allows you to reference and cite the original source of the quote and give credit to the author. It also shows your readers that you’ve done your research and are aware of the sources you’ve used. As such, quoting in MLA format is an important skill for students to learn.

When Should You Quote in MLA Format?

You should always quote in MLA format when you’re paraphrasing or quoting someone else’s work. This applies to both direct quotes and paraphrases. When you’re quoting in MLA format, make sure to include the name of the author, the title of the work, and the page number (if available).

How to Quote in MLA Format

Quoting in MLA format can be tricky, especially if you’re new to it. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you quote correctly:

Step 1: Introduce the quote

Start by introducing the quote. This can be done by introducing the author, the title of the work, and/or the main idea of the quote. For example:

According to author John Smith, “...”

Step 2: Write the quote

Once you’ve introduced the quote, write it out in its entirety. Make sure to use quotation marks around the quote. For example:

John Smith says, “This is an example of a quote.”

Step 3: Cite the quote

Once you’ve written the quote, you need to cite it. This is done by including the author’s name, the title of the work, and the page number (if available). For example:

(Smith, “Example”, p. 10)

Quoting Longer Passages in MLA Format

When quoting longer passages in MLA format, you need to use block quotes. Block quotes are longer than four lines and should be formatted differently from regular quotes. To quote a longer passage in MLA format, you need to start the quote on a new line and indent the entire quote. For example:

John Smith says: “This is an example of a long quote. It is longer than four lines and should be formatted differently than a regular quote.” (Smith, “Example”, p. 10)

How to Cite Quotes in MLA Format

Once you’ve written and formatted the quote, you need to cite it. To cite a quote in MLA format, you need to include the author’s name, the title of the work, and the page number (if available). For example:

(Smith, “Example”, p. 10)

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Quoting in MLA Format

When quoting in MLA format, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. The most common mistake is forgetting to cite the source of the quote. Make sure to always include the author’s name, the title of the work, and the page number (if available). Another common mistake is formatting the quote incorrectly. Make sure to use quotation marks around the quote and to indent longer quotes. Finally, make sure you’re not plagiarizing by quoting too much of the source material.

Conclusion

Quoting in MLA format is an important skill for students to learn. With the help of this guide, you should now be able to quote correctly and avoid common mistakes. Make sure to always cite the source of the quote and format it correctly. Good luck!