Properly quoting sources is crucial for academic integrity and strong writing. This guide breaks down how to quote in MLA style, covering everything from in-text citations to Works Cited entries. Mastering these techniques will elevate your research papers and avoid plagiarism.
Understanding MLA In-Text Citations
MLA style uses parenthetical citations to credit sources within your text. These citations usually include the author's last name and page number. Let's explore different scenarios:
Short Quotes (Under 4 lines):
Integrate short quotes directly into your sentences. Use quotation marks to enclose the quote, and place the citation immediately after the closing quotation mark, but before the sentence's concluding punctuation.
Example: As Johnson states, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" (12).
Long Quotes (4 lines or more):
Long quotes are presented as block quotes, indented one inch from the left margin without quotation marks. The citation follows the final punctuation of the block quote.
Example:
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This sentence is frequently used to demonstrate the use of every letter in the English alphabet. Its simplicity belies its importance in typography and linguistic studies. Further research is needed to understand its historical context. (12)
Quoting Poetry:
When quoting poetry, use a forward slash (/) to indicate line breaks. For multiple lines, use a block quote format as with prose.
Example (Short Quote): The speaker's despair is evident in the line, "Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul" (Dickinson 3).
Example (Long Quote):
Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all, (Dickinson 3)
Quoting from Multiple Sources:
When referencing multiple sources within a single parenthetical citation, list them alphabetically, separated by semicolons.
Example: (Smith 15; Johnson 22).
Quoting Indirect Sources:
If you're quoting a source cited in another work, cite both sources. Use "qtd. in" to indicate the indirect source.
Example: (Smith qtd. in Johnson 15).
Crafting Your Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page is an alphabetical list of all the sources cited in your paper. It provides complete bibliographic information for each source. Consistency and accuracy are vital here.
Here are some common source examples:
Books:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Journal Articles:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Volume.Issue (Year): Pages.
Websites:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name (or Website Name). "Title of Page." Website Name, Date of Publication, URL.
Key Takeaways
Remember to accurately represent your sources and maintain consistency. If you are ever unsure about the proper way to format your citations, consult your instructor or an MLA style guide. Accuracy and attention to detail are hallmarks of strong academic writing.
