Mla Quote Format

The MLA (Modern Language Association) quote format is a widely used citation style in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. It provides a clear and concise way to credit the original authors of quoted material, ensuring the integrity and credibility of research papers and essays.

Introduction to MLA Quote Format

The MLA style requires that quotes be formatted in a specific way to distinguish them from the rest of the text and to provide necessary information about the source. For quotes that are four lines or less, they are typically enclosed in quotation marks and incorporated into the text. For longer quotes, a block quote format is used, where the quote is indented and set apart from the surrounding text.

Short Quotes in MLA Format

Short quotes, those that are four lines or less, are enclosed in double quotation marks. At the end of the quote, a parenthetical citation is added, which includes the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the quote can be found. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number(s) are included in the parentheses. For example: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (Roosevelt 23). If the author’s name is part of the sentence, it looks like this: According to Roosevelt, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (23).

Long Quotes in MLA Format

Long quotes, those that exceed four lines, are formatted differently. They are set apart from the rest of the text through indentation. A long quote is indented one inch from the left margin and is not enclosed in quotation marks. The parenthetical citation with the author’s last name and page number(s) is placed after the period at the end of the quote. Here is an example:

    The world is too much with us; late and soon,
    Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
    Little we see in nature that is ours;
    We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
    (Wordsworth 23)

Citing Quotes Without Authors

Sometimes, a quote may not have a known author. In such cases, the title of the work is used in the parenthetical citation, along with the page number(s) if available. Titles of shorter works are enclosed in quotation marks, while titles of longer works are italicized. For example, if quoting from a poem with an unknown author, the citation might look like this: (“The Anonymous Poem” 12). If quoting from a book, the citation would be (The Book Title 34).

Citing Quotes with Multiple Authors

When citing a quote with two authors, both authors’ last names are included in the parenthetical citation, separated by “and.” For example: (Smith and Johnson 45). For sources with three or more authors, only the first author’s name is listed, followed by “et al.” (which is short for “et alii,” meaning “and others”), and then the page number(s): (Williams et al. 67).

In conclusion, the MLA quote format is a critical component of academic writing, ensuring that quotes are properly cited and credited to their original authors. Whether dealing with short quotes, long quotes, or quotes from sources with unknown or multiple authors, the MLA style provides a clear and consistent method for citation.