Quoting sources correctly is crucial for academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. MLA (Modern Language Association) format provides a standardized way to integrate quotes into your papers. This guide will walk you through the process, covering everything from short quotes to long block quotes, and how to cite them effectively.
Understanding MLA In-Text Citations
Before diving into the mechanics of quoting, let's clarify the core principle of MLA in-text citations. Every quote must be accompanied by a parenthetical citation that includes the author's last name and the page number (or other relevant locator like paragraph number for online sources). This allows the reader to easily cross-reference the quote with the full citation in your "Works Cited" page.
Integrating Short Quotes (Under 4 Lines)
Short quotes are seamlessly integrated into the text of your paper. Use quotation marks (" ") to enclose the quote and punctuate it as part of your sentence.
Example: As Wordsworth famously stated, "I wandered lonely as a cloud" (Wordsworth 12).
Notice how the quote is incorporated naturally into the sentence, and the citation follows immediately afterward. If the author's name is already mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is needed in the parentheses.
Example: In Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth describes daffodils, writing "I wandered lonely as a cloud" (12).
Handling Long Quotes (4 Lines or More)
Long quotes, also known as block quotes, are formatted differently. They are indented one inch from the left margin (without quotation marks) and are typically single-spaced. The parenthetical citation follows the final punctuation of the block quote.
Example:
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. (Wordsworth 12-17)
Quoting Poetry
Quoting poetry requires careful attention to line breaks and stanza structure. For short excerpts, use forward slashes (/) to indicate line breaks within the quote. For longer excerpts, use the block quote format described above, preserving the original line breaks.
Example (Short Excerpt): Wordsworth’s description of the daffodils captures their vibrant movement: "A host, of golden daffodils;/ Beside the lake, beneath the trees" (Wordsworth 13-14).
Example (Long Excerpt – Block Quote):
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills, (Wordsworth 12)
Adding Ellipses and Brackets
Sometimes you need to modify a quote to fit your sentence structure. Use ellipses (...) to indicate omitted words or phrases. Use brackets [ ] to add clarifying words or to change capitalization or punctuation within a quote.
Example: The author states, "The experiment...yielded unexpected results [due to unforeseen circumstances]" (Smith 42).
Crafting Effective Quotes
Remember, the goal is not to fill your paper with extensive quotations. Instead, strategically use quotes to support your arguments and enrich your analysis. Always introduce your quotes with context and follow them with analysis that explains their relevance to your point.
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This comprehensive guide will help you confidently incorporate quotes into your MLA-formatted papers, ensuring both academic integrity and effective communication of your ideas. Remember to always consult the latest MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.
