How To MLA Quote: A Comprehensive Guide
Properly quoting sources is crucial for academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in humanities disciplines, and mastering MLA quoting techniques is essential for students and researchers alike. This guide will walk you through different types of MLA quotes and provide examples to help you confidently integrate sources into your writing.
Understanding MLA Quotation Basics
Before diving into specific examples, let's establish some fundamental principles of MLA quoting:
- Accuracy: Always ensure your quotes are verbatim (word-for-word) copies of the original source. Any alterations must be clearly indicated.
- Attribution: Clearly attribute all quotes to their original source using in-text citations. These citations usually include the author's last name and page number (or other relevant location information).
- Integration: Quotes shouldn't stand alone; seamlessly integrate them into your sentences to maintain a natural flow.
- Context: Provide sufficient context before and after the quote to help the reader understand its significance and relevance to your argument.
Types of MLA Quotes and How to Use Them
There are three main types of MLA quotes: short quotes, long quotes (block quotes), and integrated quotes.
1. Short Quotes (Less than four lines)
Short quotes are incorporated directly into your text, enclosed in double quotation marks.
Example: According to Smith, "the impact of social media on political discourse is undeniable" (Smith 123).
2. Long Quotes (Block Quotes – Four lines or more)
Long quotes are set off from your text as a separate block, indented one inch from the left margin. Do not use quotation marks for block quotes.
Example:
The effects of climate change are far-reaching and devastating. Coastal erosion is accelerating, threatening countless communities. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. The future of our planet depends on immediate and decisive action. (Jones 456-457)
3. Integrated Quotes
Integrated quotes are seamlessly woven into your sentences, often using the quote as part of your own sentence structure.
Example: Shakespeare describes love as "a summer's day," emphasizing its fleeting nature (Shakespeare 1.1.10).
Punctuation and Formatting
- Commas and Periods: Always place commas and periods inside the closing quotation marks.
- Colons and Semicolons: Place colons and semicolons outside the closing quotation marks.
- Parenthetical Citations: Immediately follow the quote with a parenthetical citation containing the author's last name and the page number (or other location information).
- Ellipses (...): Use ellipses to indicate omissions from the original text. However, avoid using ellipses at the beginning or end of a quote unless necessary for clarity.
- Brackets [ ]: Use brackets to add your own words or clarify information within a quote.
Handling Different Source Types
MLA quoting requires adjustments based on the type of source. Here are a few examples:
- Websites: Use the author's name (if available) and the website name. If no author is listed, use the website title.
- Books: Use the author's last name and page number.
- Journal Articles: Use the author's last name and page number.
Improving Your MLA Quoting Skills
Practice is key to mastering MLA quoting. Review examples, and consult the official MLA Handbook for comprehensive guidelines. Pay attention to detail, and always double-check your work for accuracy and consistency. Using a citation management tool can also be extremely helpful in streamlining the process.
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate quotes into your academic writing, ensuring both clarity and proper attribution. Remember, proper citation is not just a stylistic choice; it's a matter of academic integrity.
