How to Quote in MLA Format
What is MLA?
MLA stands for Modern Language Association and is the formatting style used for academic papers and essays. It is commonly used in the fields of English and literature, and requires that certain standards are followed when quoting sources. MLA formatting guidelines are designed to help writers prepare papers that are easy to read and look professional.
When Should You Use MLA Formatting?
The MLA style is most commonly used when quoting from digital sources, such as websites, e-books, and online articles. It is also used when writing papers for classes in the humanities, such as English, literature, and history. If you are unsure which formatting style to use, be sure to check with your professor or instructor.
How to Quote in MLA Format
When quoting material in MLA format, it is important to include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication date, and the page number. When quoting a sentence or phrase, place the quotation marks around the words you are quoting and include the page number in parentheses after the quotation. For example:
"The sky is the limit" (7).
When quoting a longer passage, indent the quotation one inch from the left margin and double-space the quotation. Include the page number in parentheses after the quotation. For example:
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal'” (Martin Luther King, Jr. 5).
Citing References in MLA Format
When citing an author or source in the body of your paper, be sure to include the author’s name and the title of the work in parentheses. For example:
Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed” (5).
When citing multiple authors or sources, list them in alphabetical order and separate them with a comma. For example:
King, Gandhi, and Mandela all fought for peace and justice (6, 12, 15).
Formatting Long Quotations
For quotations that are more than four lines long, format the quotation as a block quotation. This means that the quotation should be indented one inch from the left margin and double-spaced, without quotation marks. Be sure to include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication date, and the page number. For example:
Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote:
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' (5)
Conclusion
Quoting in MLA format can be a bit tricky at first, but with practice, you’ll soon be able to incorporate quotations into your papers with ease. Be sure to follow the MLA formatting guidelines when citing sources in your paper.