100+ MLA Quote Citation Examples: Perfect Copywriting & Formatting Guide
In academic writing, correctly citing quotes using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format is essential for credibility and avoiding plagiarism. This article explores ten distinct types of quotations—ranging from direct prose and poetry excerpts to digital media, interviews, and non-English sources—and demonstrates how to properly integrate and cite each within MLA guidelines. Each section provides twelve real-world example citations formatted accurately, accompanied by a detailed summary explaining best practices. Readers will gain confidence in handling diverse source materials while maintaining scholarly integrity. From signal phrases to parenthetical citations and Works Cited entries, this guide ensures precision across all quote categories.
Direct Quotes from Prose Sources
According to Smith, "The novel redefined narrative structure in twentieth-century literature" (45).
"Time moved differently in the village," as noted by Lee (78).
In her analysis, Patel argues that "social dynamics shape identity more than geography" (102).
As Thompson writes, "The protagonist’s silence speaks louder than words" (63).
“Economic inequality was masked by national pride,” Brown observes (110).
“The author subtly critiques institutional power” (Johnson 204).
Davis states, “Urban spaces reflect cultural memory” (88).
“Narrative fragmentation mirrors psychological dislocation,” notes Ramirez (133).
“Colonial legacies persist in modern governance,” asserts Kim (156).
Garcia explains, “Language evolves through resistance” (91).
“The character’s journey symbolizes redemption” (Wong 122).
“Realism in fiction often exaggerates truth,” claims Foster (54).
When citing direct quotes from prose sources such as novels, essays, or academic books in MLA format, include the author’s last name and page number in parentheses immediately after the quote. If the author is mentioned in the signal phrase, only the page number follows in parentheses. Keep punctuation inside the quotation marks, with the period placed after the citation. Ensure accuracy in transcription and provide sufficient context before and after the quote. Always verify the edition of the text used, as page numbers may vary. These rules help maintain clarity and academic rigor when referencing prose material.
Quoting Poetry Lines
As Frost wrote, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood" (1).
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons” (Eliot 50).
Dickinson notes, “Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul” (1–2).
“Do not go gentle into that good night” (Thomas 1).
“She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies” (Byron 1–2).
Whitman declares, “I contain multitudes” (51).
“My love is like a red, red rose” (Burns 1).
“Water, water, every where, / Nor any drop to drink” (Coleridge 12–13).
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep” (Frost 13).
“God’s grandeur will flame out, like shining from shook foil” (Hopkins 1).
“Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me –” (Dickinson 1–2).
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know” (Keats 49–50).
When quoting poetry in MLA style, line numbers replace page numbers in parenthetical citations. Use a forward slash (/) to indicate line breaks within a sentence. For quotes longer than three lines, use a block quote indented one inch from the left margin, preserving original lineation. Maintain capitalization and punctuation as in the source. When citing multiple consecutive lines, use en-dashes between line numbers (e.g., 12–13). Always introduce the poet and poem title contextually. Accurate line referencing respects poetic form and allows readers to locate the passage easily in anthologies or standalone works.
Dialogue from Plays
Hamlet declares, “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (Shakespeare 3.1.56).
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” asks Macbeth (Shakespeare 2.1.33).
Linda Loman says, “Attention must be paid” (Miller 102).
Othello proclaims, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee: no way but this” (Shakespeare 5.2.358).
Blanche exclaims, “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” (Williams 178).
“You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away!” shouts Biff (Miller 115).
“All the world’s a stage,” says Jaques (Shakespeare 2.7.1).
Mama warns, “There is always something left to love” (Hansberry 142).
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (Shakespeare 1.4.90).
Stanley bellows, “Stella! Hey, Stella!” (Williams 98).
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on” (Shakespeare 4.1.156).
Willy muses, “After all the highways, and the trains, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive” (Miller 98).
When citing dialogue from plays in MLA format, include the playwright’s name, followed by act, scene, and line numbers (if available) in the citation. For Shakespeare and classical works, use Roman numerals for acts and scenes (e.g., 3.1.56). For modern plays without line numbers, use page numbers. Introduce characters clearly before quoting, especially in multi-speaker exchanges. Preserve original punctuation and italics for emphasis. Signal phrases help attribute speech accurately. Proper citation honors dramatic structure and enables precise reference to theatrical texts across editions.
Quotes from Online Articles
“Digital literacy is now a fundamental skill” (Thompson, 'Redefining Education' par. 7).
According to Lee, “Remote work has permanently altered office culture” ('Future of Work' par. 12).
“AI-generated content challenges traditional authorship” (Nguyen par. 5).
“Climate anxiety is rising among Gen Z” (Green Report par. 9).
“Social media algorithms favor emotional content” (Martinez par. 3).
“Online learning increases accessibility but reduces engagement” (Clark, 'EdTech Trends' par. 14).
“Misinformation spreads six times faster than facts” (Singh par. 8).
“The gig economy lacks worker protections” (Rivera, 'Labor Shifts' par. 6).
“Streaming has democratized music distribution” (Price par. 11).
“Cybersecurity threats are evolving with AI” (Khan, 'Digital Risks' par. 4).
“Personalization enhances user experience but risks privacy” (Fox par. 10).
“Digital minimalism is gaining traction” (Adams, 'Unplugged' par. 2).
When citing quotes from online articles in MLA, include the author, title in quotation marks, and the word “par.” followed by the paragraph number if no page numbers exist. If no author is listed, use the title first. Always include the website name and publication date if available. URLs are optional unless required by instructors. Use stable links or DOIs when possible. Since online content can change, ensure your source is credible and archived if necessary. These practices support transparency and traceability in digital scholarship.
Citing Quotes from Films
“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse” (*The Godfather* 00:12:34).
“Here’s looking at you, kid” (*Casablanca* 01:23:10).
“Life is like a box of chocolates” (Gump 00:45:22).
“You can’t handle the truth!” (*A Few Good Men* 01:15:40).
“I am your father” (*The Empire Strikes Back* 01:32:15).
“There’s no place like home” (*The Wizard of Oz* 01:55:30).
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” (*The Godfather Part II* 01:40:10).
“I’ll be back” (*The Terminator* 00:34:50).
“Why so serious?” (*The Dark Knight* 01:10:25).
“Every man dies, not every man really lives” (*Braveheart* 02:05:40).
“I feel the need—the need for speed!” (*Top Gun* 00:28:10).
“Just keep swimming” (*Finding Nemo* 00:50:15).
When quoting from films in MLA, use the movie title in italics followed by the timestamp in hours, minutes, and seconds. If quoting a specific speaker, introduce them before the quote. Include key contributors (director, performer) in the Works Cited entry. Timestamps allow precise referencing in audiovisual media. Avoid using subtitles as exact quotes unless they are official transcripts. Always verify the version of the film cited, as edits may affect timing. This method supports accurate attribution in cinematic analysis.
Quotes from Interviews
“Creativity thrives under constraints,” stated Dr. Alvarez in her interview (personal communication, May 12, 2023).
As Senator Reed explained, “Policy must reflect community needs” (interview by J. Kim, June 3, 2022).
“We didn’t plan for viral growth,” admitted CEO Lin (Smith, 'Startup Rising' 8:15).
“Art should challenge comfort,” said sculptor Torres (quoted in Rivera 45).
“The breakthrough came unexpectedly,” recalled Dr. Patel (NPR, 'Science Weekly' 12:30).
“I write to understand myself,” confessed novelist Grant (Brown, 'Author Talks' 00:14:22).
“Education is liberation,” emphasized activist Mendez (public lecture, Sept. 10, 2021).
“This project changed my perspective,” noted designer Wu (interview, Oct. 5, 2023).
“History repeats when we ignore it,” warned Professor Hayes (cited in Clark 78).
“Music connects us beyond language,” shared cellist Moore (Radio One, 'Sound Minds' 00:22:10).
“Success isn’t linear,” reflected entrepreneur Jones (TED Talk Q&A, 2020).
“Empathy is learned, not innate,” argued psychologist Bell (interview, Apr. 18, 2022).
Interviews require careful citation depending on accessibility. Personal communications (e.g., emails, private conversations) are cited in-text only with “personal communication” and date, but omitted from Works Cited. Published or recorded interviews include the interviewer’s name, title, and source details. For audio/video interviews, timestamps enhance precision. Always clarify whether the speaker is directly quoted or paraphrased. Proper attribution maintains ethical standards and acknowledges lived expertise in research.
Incorporating Quotes from Social Media
“Just launched our sustainability initiative 🌱 #GreenFuture” (@EcoCorp, Twitter, Mar. 4, 2023).
As author Chen tweeted, “Representation matters in children’s books” (@ChenWrites, Twitter, Jan. 15, 2023).
“This policy harms vulnerable communities,” posted activist Diaz (Instagram, Aug. 9, 2022).
“Can’t believe we hit 1 million followers!” celebrated band Nova (TikTok, Dec. 1, 2023).
“AI ethics must be proactive, not reactive” (@TechEthics, LinkedIn, Feb. 10, 2023).
“Teaching is my rebellion,” wrote educator Turner (Facebook, Sept. 5, 2022).
“We’re redesigning urban spaces for people, not cars” (@CityFuture, Instagram, Nov. 14, 2023).
“Mental health is not a trend—it’s a crisis,” stated therapist Lee (Twitter thread, July 20, 2023).
“Democracy requires participation,” reminded politician Ray (Facebook Live, Oct. 3, 2022).
“Our food system is broken,” declared chef Tran (Instagram Reel, Jan. 8, 2023).
“Algorithms shape reality more than we admit,” warned researcher Fox (LinkedIn, Apr. 22, 2023).
“Joy is resistance,” shared poet James (TikTok, Jun. 19, 2023).
MLA now accommodates social media citations by including the author (username), platform, full date, and URL if applicable. Emojis and hashtags are preserved as part of the original message. Since posts are brief, provide context in your analysis. For tweets or threads, specify the platform and date precisely. Archived links or screenshots help ensure longevity of reference. These citations acknowledge the growing influence of digital discourse in contemporary research.
Translating and Quoting Non-English Sources
“Je pense, donc je suis,” Descartes wrote, commonly translated as “I think, therefore I am” (127).
“La vida es sueño,” declares Calderón, meaning “Life is a dream” (line 10).
As Kafka noted, “Ein Mensch kann nichts verlangen,” translated as “A person can demand nothing” (Diary 45).
“El silencio es oro,” says the Spanish proverb, or “Silence is golden” (Garcia 88).
“Cogito ergo sum” appears in Latin, rendered in English as “I think, therefore I am” (Descartes 127).
“Ich bin der Geist, der stets verneint,” Mephistopheles states—“I am the spirit that always denies” (Goethe 1.1.1336).
“Toute la vie est un combat,” translates to “All life is a struggle” (Camus 67).
“Il y a plus de choses dans la nature… que n’en rêve votre philosophie,” becomes “There are more things in nature… than your philosophy dreams of” (Montaigne 203).
“Die Welt ist alles, was der Fall ist,” Wittgenstein wrote—“The world is everything that is the case” (1).
“El amor es eterno mientras dura,” humorously means “Love is eternal while it lasts” (Marsé 33).
“Nichts ist praktischer als eine gute Theorie,” or “Nothing is more practical than a good theory” (Habermas 91).
“La révolution est morte,” proclaimed the poster—“The revolution is dead” (Paris, May ‘68).
When quoting non-English sources in MLA, provide the original text followed by the translation in English. Clarify whether the translation is your own or sourced. If using a published translation, credit the translator in the Works Cited. Include page numbers or line references. For well-known phrases, note common translations. This approach respects linguistic authenticity while ensuring comprehension for English-speaking audiences, fostering cross-cultural academic dialogue.
Citing Quotes from Edited Collections
“Postcolonial narratives reclaim silenced voices,” argues Ngugi in *Decolonizing Literature* (112).
As Butler writes, “Gender is performative” (qtd. in Smith 45).
“Urban design influences mental health,” notes Lee (in Gupta, ed., *Cities and Society* 78).
“Memory is selective and political,” states Kim (in *Historical Narratives*, ed. Choi 101).
“Technology reflects cultural values,” observes Patel (Anderson, ed., *Digital Cultures* 55).
“Feminist theory must be intersectional,” insists Davis (in Roberts, ed., *Gender Studies Now* 133).
“Ecocriticism redefines human-nature relationships” (Taylor, in *Environmental Humanities*, ed. Reed 29).
“Literature shapes national identity,” contends Wong (in *Global Fiction*, ed. Brown 67).
“Archives are never neutral,” warns Harris (in *Critical Documentation*, ed. Price 88).
“Algorithmic bias reproduces inequality,” claims Ortiz (in *Data Justice*, ed. Liu 121).
“Translation is interpretation,” asserts Ivanov (in *Multilingual Texts*, ed. Frost 34).
“Public art invites democratic participation,” observes Clarke (in *Urban Aesthetics*, ed. Shaw 150).
Edited collections require attention to both chapter author and editor(s). In-text citations include the contributor’s name and page number. The Works Cited lists the chapter author, essay title, book title, editor, publisher, and year. When quoting a source cited within another source, use “qtd. in” to indicate indirect quotation. This layered citation preserves intellectual lineage and gives proper credit to original thinkers and curators alike.
Block Quotes in MLA Format
“The concept of freedom varies across cultures. In Western liberal democracies, it emphasizes individual rights, whereas in many Indigenous traditions, freedom is tied to communal responsibility and ecological balance. Recognizing these differences is crucial for global dialogue” (Nguyen 104).
“Digital platforms have transformed storytelling. Users are no longer passive consumers but active co-creators. This shift demands new ethical frameworks for content ownership and narrative authority” (Lee 77).
“Education should cultivate curiosity, not compliance. Standardized testing prioritizes memorization over critical thinking, ultimately limiting student potential” (Garcia 112).
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a justice issue. Marginalized communities bear the brunt of ecological degradation despite contributing least to it” (Patel 89).
“Artistic expression transcends borders. A mural in Bogotá may echo themes from Johannesburg, revealing shared human experiences beneath cultural specificity” (Torres 133).
“Historical narratives are shaped by who holds power. Archival silences often reflect deliberate omissions rather than absence of evidence” (Kim 67).
“Urban planning must prioritize walkability and green spaces. Dense, car-dependent cities exacerbate pollution and social isolation” (Reed 95).
“Language shapes perception. The words we use to describe immigrants influence public policy and social acceptance” (Wong 102).
“Scientific research should serve humanity, not corporate interests. Transparency and peer review are essential safeguards” (Foster 144).
“Mental health care access remains unequal. Stigma and cost prevent millions from seeking help” (Bell 56).
“Democracy depends on informed citizens. Media literacy is now a civic imperative” (Clark 121).
“Technology should enhance, not replace, human connection. Design choices reflect ethical priorities” (Adams 88).
Block quotes in MLA are used for prose longer than four typed lines. They are indented one inch from the left margin, double-spaced, and do not use quotation marks. The citation appears after the closing punctuation. Introduce the quote with a colon if it follows a complete sentence. Maintain original wording and punctuation. Block quotes emphasize significant passages and improve readability. Use them sparingly to highlight pivotal arguments or extended examples, ensuring they contribute directly to your analysis.
Schlusworte
Mastery of MLA citation for quotes across diverse source types strengthens academic integrity and reader trust. Whether quoting a novel, poem, film, or tweet, consistent formatting ensures clarity and respect for intellectual property. Each category—from prose and poetry to interviews and social media—requires nuanced attention to detail, including correct placement of author names, page numbers, timestamps, and contextual information. By following MLA guidelines precisely, writers uphold scholarly standards while engaging critically with sources. As research evolves in digital and interdisciplinary directions, adaptability in citation practices becomes essential. Ultimately, accurate quoting empowers authors to build compelling, ethical arguments grounded in credible evidence.
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