How to Do Block Quotation in APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles – Examples Included

Ever faced a situation when you get a perfect quote for your paper, but find it really long? This is where you get involved in the world of the block quotation. It serves as a powerful tool to add more depth and credibility to your work. However, the main difficulty comes in effectively formatting these long quotations following the right guidelines, making you search for how to do a block quotation.

Purdue University states that for longer quotations, like more than 40 words, come into the category of block writing, where you write it on a new line with ½ indent from the left side and remove the quotation marks. But it is not the case for every citation style, as the formatting guidelines vary for APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.

In this article, we will help you learn how to do block quotations in APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles effectively. So, let’s dive into mastering the skill of proper referencing.

What is a Block Quotation?

According to the University of Illinois Springfield, it is a highlighted direct quote that is longer than a specific number of words or lines, depending on the style that you are using. It is also known as a lengthy quotation. These quotations are structured independently and have spaces from the body of the text rather than being enclosed in quotation marks. 

Block quotations can be written in every famous style of citation, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago, and each style has specific guidelines for when and how to use block quotes. You should have complete knowledge about block quotes, like when to use them and how to style them, if you want to make your writing more professional and polished.

10 Expert Tips to Do Block Quotation in APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles With Examples

Wondering how to do block quotations to add direct quotes to your research work? Although the block quotes are helpful for highlighting essential passages, you face many challenges in using them properly. That’s why most of the students save themselves from this struggle by getting help from dissertation writing services. It not only improves their chances of success but also helps them write their papers excellently. 

Here is a step-by-step guide with examples and tips to effectively use block quotations in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.

1. Understand When to Use a Block Quote

You can use block quotes only in cases where the quote is longer than a specific length, which depends on your citation style. If you use them improperly, they can confuse readers or go against the rules of formatting.

• APA: Walden University states that you should use a block quotation of APA style when a quote is more than or equal to 40 words.
• MLA: It can be utilised for poetry with more than three lines or paragraphs with more than four lines.
• Chicago: You can use it for more than two lines of a poem or five lines of a paragraph.

2. Start the Block Quote on a New Line

It should always start on a new line to maintain a block quote free from your material. This will clarify to the readers that the lines that follow are not your own.

Here are essential tips for you to follow:

• You can not use a block quote in the centre of a paragraph.
• You should use a colon or period to finish the first phrase just before the quote.

Example (MLA):

The character’s motivation is explained in her speech:

I never wanted the crown. All I wanted was peace in my lands, a quiet life where children laugh freely and men put down their swords. But duty often chooses us, not the other way around. (Richards 112)

3. Keep the Block Quote Indented

If you properly format your block quotation, it shows visual improvement in your writing. The entire quotation should be positioned as a single block; you may not indent the first line further.

For students wondering how to do block quotation, the following are the rules for each style of citation:

• APA: It should be spaced one tab or a 0.5-inch indent.
• MLA and Chicago: In MLA and Chicago style, the entire quote should be indented one inch from the left.

Example (Chicago):

There are truths in history that resist simplification. We must grapple with uncomfortable narratives, understand their context, and draw meaning from complexity rather than running from it.¹

4. Do Not Use Quotation Marks

You should avoid using quotation marks while using block quotes, as they do not require quotation marks because the structure makes it clear that they are quotations.

Essential tips included:

• You should avoid using quote marks as it is unnecessary and improper in block formatting.
• You can use internal quotation marks for quoting dialogue or layered quotations.

Example (APA):

Technology alone does not solve problems. The human factor—adaptability, empathy, and understanding must guide implementation and design.

5. Place Punctuation Before the Citation

You have to use punctuation just before the citation because this is necessary in block quotations,  and a space should always be used to conclude a block quotate.

Essential tips included:

• Punctuation does not follow the citation just like the straight quotations.
• This punctuation guideline is applicable to Chicago, MLA, and APA styles.

Example (MLA):

Leaders aren’t made in comfort; they rise from adversity and moments of intense challenge and change. (Foster 88)

6. Introduce the Quote with a Complete Sentence

You should provide background information to readers with an introductory phrase that ends in a colon just before a block quotation. It is also very crucial for adding authentic citations to a dissertation. 

The following are essential tips for those looking for how to do block quotation in Word well: 

• You have to describe the significance of the speaker and the quote.
• You should avoid using a block quotation without providing context, as this may reduce the significance of your analysis.

7. Keep the Line Spacing Consistent

There is no difference between the line spacing guidelines for block quotations and the rest of your document. 

The following are essential tips:

• Double spacing is usually required by APA and MLA even when using block quotations.
• You should avoid single spacing in block quotes unless your school requires it.

For example, APA double-spaced quotation is written like this:

    Inclusive education goes beyond simply placing students together.
    It requires tailored instruction, emotional safety, and cultural relevance.
    It’s a mindset, not just a model. (Grant, 2022, p. 211)

8. Cite the Source Correctly

You should follow the citation guidelines properly. Here are the following rules for different citation styles just after the block quotation:

• APA: If you are looking for how to do block quotation in APA, the sequence of the citations should be page number, author, and year.
• MLA: If you are looking for how to do block quotation in MLA, it only includes the author and page number.
• Chicago: If you are looking for how to do block quotation in Chicago, it includes superscript numbers that point to an endnote or footnote.

9. Maintain Original Formatting

You have to keep the original quotation maintained, whether it has special formatting, line breaks, or italics.

Here are the following essential tips:

• You should avoid changing the line breaks, especially in dramatic conversation or poetry.
• You have to maintain the initial focused style, such as italics or all caps.

Example (MLA):

In the poet’s own words:
    Do not go gentle into that good night,
    Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

10. Use Footnotes in Chicago Style

You should provide a footnote to the source if you are using the Chicago Style instead of utilising parenthetical citations.

Here are the following essential tips:

• You have to add the superscript number to the conclusion of the quote.
• You should provide a footnote or endnote to cite the sources.

How to Do a Block Quotation in Word?

Creating a block quotation in Microsoft Word is simple if you follow these steps:

1. Select the Text: You should select a quote first that you want to structure a quote as a block quote. 
2. Indent the Text: Go to the “Layout” tab (or “Page Layout” in older versions), and under the “Indent” section, set the left indent to 0.5 or 1 inch (depending on the citation style).
3. Remove Quotation Marks: You have to prevent enclosing a block quote in quotation marks.
4. Customise Line Spacing:  To modify line spacing, you have to select the “Home” tab. After selecting “Line and Paragraph Spacing,” Select double spacing if the citation style demands it.

How to Do a Block Quotation in Google Docs?

According to the Scholars International Institute of Technology, you can use the following easy methods to create a block quote in Google Docs:

1. Highlight the Quote: You should choose the passage that you want to use as a block quote.
2. Indent the Paragraph: You can get the “Indentation options” by clicking on “Format” → “Align & indent,”  and then Enter 0.5 or 1 inch under “Left.”
3. Use Double Spacing: You can apply double spacing by clicking on Format, then clicking on Line Spacing, and you can choose double space.
4. Remove Quotation Marks: You should remove the quotation marks from block quotes just like in Word.

Conclusion

We all know that proper formatting is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially when you need to add lengthy quotes and poems to your work. If you are also a student looking for how to do block quotations efficiently, following the right guidelines, you have reached the right place. Here, we have covered the top 10 tips to help you learn the ways to effectively add block quotations for different styles like APA, MLA, and Chicago. They not only show you as the best researcher but also add more strength to your work.

Additionally, if you still struggle with following the right guidelines and properly referencing your thesis, consult top-tier dissertation writing firms in the UK. They have expert writers who provide valuable assistance to students, which helps them earn good grades. So, by getting a professional’s help and understanding the specific block quotation formatting instructions for different formats, you can put yourself on a journey of excellent paper creation. 

Author Bio

Linda J. Butler is an academic expert and an experienced dissertation writer working in this field for more than 5 years. She helps students in designing their research work as well as in doing proper formatting following the right guidelines. By getting her support, you can start your journey towards writing an excellent dissertation.