100+ Block Quote Citation Examples: Master How to Cite a Block Quote Like a Pro
Quoting effectively in writing, especially when using block quotes, is a crucial skill for students, researchers, and content creators. A block quote—used for longer quotations—is set apart from the main text to emphasize its significance and source credibility. Proper citation not only avoids plagiarism but also strengthens arguments with authoritative support. This article explores ten distinct types of quotes requiring block formatting, such as literary, academic, historical, and inspirational excerpts. Each section provides twelve ready-to-use examples with correct structural presentation, offering both practical templates and deeper insight into citation etiquette across formats like MLA, APA, and Chicago.
Literary Block Quotes
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
"Call me Ishmael." — Herman Melville, Moby Dick
"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since." — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." — Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." — Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will." — Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
"The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel." — William Gibson, Neuromancer
"He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish." — Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea
"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow." — Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
"Marley was dead: to begin with." — Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
"All children, except one, grow up." — J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
"It was a pleasure to burn." — Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
In literary analysis, block quotes allow readers to engage deeply with narrative voice, style, and thematic development. When citing passages longer than four lines in prose or three lines in poetry (MLA), indentation separates the quote from your commentary. Always introduce the quote contextually, then follow with interpretation. Use ellipses to omit irrelevant parts and brackets to clarify pronouns. Maintain original spelling and punctuation. In APA, block quotes are used for 40+ words and require a 0.5-inch indent. Chicago style similarly mandates indentation and often uses footnotes. Mastering these ensures clarity and academic integrity.
Academic Block Quotes
"Social capital refers to the collective value of all social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other." — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone
"The function of sociology, as of every science, is to reveal that which is hidden." — Pierre Bourdieu, Practical Reason
"Paradigms are essential to scientific inquiry because they provide a framework within which scientists operate." — Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
"Language is not just a tool for communication; it shapes thought and perception." — Benjamin Lee Whorf, Language, Thought, and Reality
"Power is everywhere; not because it embraces everything, but because it comes from everywhere." — Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish
"The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles." — Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto
"Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals experience psychological stress due to conflicting beliefs or behaviors." — Leon Festinger, A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
"Ethnography involves immersive observation and deep contextual understanding of cultural practices." — Clifford Geertz, The Interpretation of Cultures
"The concept of intersectionality highlights how various forms of inequality overlap and interact." — Kimberlé Crenshaw, Mapping the Margins
"Scientific knowledge is not neutral; it reflects the values and assumptions of its producers." — Sandra Harding, Whose Science? Whose Knowledge?
"The researcher must remain reflexive about their positionality within the research process." — Patricia Leavy, Method Meets Art
"Validity in qualitative research depends on credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability." — Lincoln & Guba, Naturalistic Inquiry
Academic writing relies heavily on block quotes to support theoretical arguments and demonstrate engagement with scholarly literature. When quoting more than 40 words in APA or four lines in MLA, use a block format: indent the entire passage, omit quotation marks, and place the citation after the period. Ensure quotes are introduced with signal phrases and followed by critical analysis. Avoid over-quoting; prioritize synthesis. Formatting varies slightly between styles, but all emphasize clarity and traceability. Proper use enhances authority and shows rigor. Always verify page numbers and edition accuracy to maintain academic honesty.
Historical Speech Block Quotes
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets..." — Winston Churchill, We Shall Fight on the Beaches
"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." — John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed..." — Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." — Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" — Ronald Reagan, Berlin Wall Speech
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." — Winston Churchill, Battle of Britain Speech
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." — Neil Armstrong, Moon Landing Broadcast
"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." — John F. Kennedy, Rice University Speech
"Give me liberty, or give me death!" — Patrick Henry, Speech to the Second Virginia Convention
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies." — Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address
Historical speeches offer powerful rhetorical material ideal for block quoting in essays on politics, culture, or social movements. When citing extended excerpts, ensure authenticity by referencing primary sources or verified transcripts. Introduce the speaker, occasion, and significance before presenting the quote. Format with a 0.5-inch left indent (APA/MLA) and include the year or date in parentheses. Analyze the language, tone, and impact afterward. These quotes often carry emotional weight, so contextual framing is essential to avoid misinterpretation. Proper citation honors the legacy of the speaker and enriches your argument with historical gravitas.
Philosophical Block Quotes
"I think, therefore I am." — René Descartes, Discourse on Method
"To be is to be perceived." — George Berkeley, Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge
"Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself." — Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism
"God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him." — Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science
"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law." — Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
"The unexamined life is not worth living." — Socrates, as cited in Plato’s Apology
"Happiness is the highest good and the end toward which all actions aim." — Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
"Existence precedes essence." — Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism
"Nothing is more unjust than equitable treatment of unequal people." — Thomas Jefferson (attributed)
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." — Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
"Morality is the herd instinct in the individual." — Friedrich Nietzsche, The Twilight of the Idols
"Freedom is the recognition of necessity." — Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of History
Philosophical texts demand precision when block quoting due to their dense, abstract nature. Always introduce the philosopher’s school of thought and the work’s context. Use block quotes for passages exceeding four lines in MLA or 40 words in APA. Indent the entire excerpt, preserve original wording, and cite the edition used. Follow the quote with interpretation—philosophy thrives on analysis. Avoid treating quotes as standalone truths; instead, integrate them into your argument. Proper citation allows readers to trace ideas through intellectual history and demonstrates your engagement with foundational thinkers.
Religious and Sacred Text Block Quotes
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." — Genesis 1:1, Holy Bible (NIV)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." — Psalm 23:1, Holy Bible (NIV)
"And He said: 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'" — Matthew 22:37, Holy Bible (NIV)
"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." — Shahada, Islamic Creed
"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10, Holy Bible (NIV)
"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:7, Holy Bible (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." — Philippians 4:6, Holy Bible (NIV)
"And whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity." — Quran 5:32
"Love your neighbor as yourself." — Mark 12:31, Holy Bible (NIV)
"The Kingdom of God is within you." — Luke 17:21, Holy Bible (NIV)
"Indeed, with hardship comes ease." — Quran 94:5
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." — Matthew 5:9, Holy Bible (NIV)
Quoting sacred texts requires reverence and accuracy. When citing extended passages from religious scriptures, use block formatting for clarity and emphasis. Always specify the version (e.g., NIV, KJV, Sahih Muslim) and include chapter and verse. Introduce the theological context before quoting. In academic writing, treat religious texts as primary sources and cite them appropriately. Avoid interpretive bias; let the quote speak first, then provide balanced analysis. Block quotes help distinguish scripture from commentary, ensuring transparency and respect for diverse beliefs while maintaining scholarly standards.
Scientific and Technical Block Quotes
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." — Albert Einstein, The World as I See It
"DNA normally exists as a double helix, where two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds between base pairs." — James D. Watson & Francis Crick, Nature, 1953
"Natural selection is a process that results in the adaptation of organisms to their environment by means of selectively reproducing changes in their genotype." — Ernst Mayr, What Evolution Is
"The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition." — Carl Sagan, Cosmos
"Climate change is real, and human activity is the principal cause." — IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, 2021
"Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics explaining the behavior of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales." — National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
"The brain is wider than the sky, for, put them side by side, the one the other will contain." — Emily Dickinson (poetic, but often cited in neuroscience contexts)
"Energy cannot be created or destroyed—only transformed from one form to another." — First Law of Thermodynamics
"Observations always involve theory." — Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
"The scientific method is built on testing hypotheses through experimentation and observation." — National Academy of Sciences
"Viruses rely on host cells to replicate and spread infection." — CDC Public Health Statement
"Machine learning models learn patterns from data without being explicitly programmed." — Tom Mitchell, Machine Learning
Scientific writing often includes technical definitions, research findings, or theoretical explanations that benefit from block quoting. Use this format for lengthy descriptions from peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, or institutional reports. Always cite the author, year, and source precisely. In APA, indent 0.5 inches for 40+ words. Clarify complex terms after the quote. Avoid over-reliance on direct quotes; paraphrase when possible. Block quotes are ideal for verbatim reproduction of formulas, laws, or key definitions. They enhance credibility and ensure accurate transmission of scientific knowledge in academic and educational contexts.
Poetic Block Quotes
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by..." — Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
"Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate..." — William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
"Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me –" — Emily Dickinson, #479
"I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o'er vales and hills..." — William Wordsworth, Daffodils
"Do not go gentle into that good night, / Old age should burn and rave at close of day..." — Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
"Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night..." — William Blake, The Tyger
"I, too, sing America. / I am the darker brother." — Langston Hughes, I, Too
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" — Percy Bysshe Shelley, Ozymandias
"Water, water, every where, / And all the boards did shrink..." — Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
"Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul..." — Emily Dickinson, #254
"Batter my heart, three-person'd God; for you / As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend..." — John Donne, Holy Sonnet XIV
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep..." — Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Poetry requires special care when block quoting due to line breaks, meter, and stanza structure. In MLA, any excerpt longer than three lines should be blocked, preserving original formatting. Indent the entire poem or excerpt one inch from the left margin, maintain line breaks, and avoid quotation marks. Include the poet’s name and title upon introduction. After the quote, analyze imagery, symbolism, or rhythm. Never alter wording. Accurate citation honors the artistry of the poet and allows readers to appreciate the full aesthetic and emotional impact of the verse within scholarly discussion.
Legal and Judicial Block Quotes
"Equal protection of the laws is not a privilege; it is a right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment." — U.S. Supreme Court, Brown v. Board of Education, 1954
"The Constitution is not a suicide pact." — Justice Robert H. Jackson, Terminiello v. City of Chicago, 1949
"Lawyers, I suppose, were children once." — Justice Harry Blackmun, Opinion in Vernonia School District v. Acton, 1995
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated." — Fourth Amendment, U.S. Constitution
"Justice delayed is justice denied." — William E. Gladstone (often cited in legal rulings)
"Precedent guides but does not bind when societal conditions have fundamentally changed." — Chief Justice Earl Warren, Brown v. Board of Education
"The First Amendment protects even the speech we hate." — Justice William J. Brennan Jr., Texas v. Johnson, 1989
"Ignorance of the law excuses no one." — Roman Legal Maxim (ubiquitous in jurisprudence)
"The judiciary is the least dangerous branch because it has neither sword nor purse." — Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
"Due process requires notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard." — U.S. Supreme Court, Goldberg v. Kelly, 1970
"The Constitution is a living document, adaptable to changing times." — Justice Thurgood Marshall, Speech, 1987
"No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." — Fifth Amendment, U.S. Constitution
Legal writing frequently employs block quotes to present constitutional provisions, judicial opinions, or statutory language. These quotes must be exact, including proper punctuation and capitalization. In legal citations (Bluebook style), include case names, volume, reporter, page, and year. Block format is used for longer excerpts to improve readability. Always introduce the court, context, and significance before quoting. Afterward, explain implications or doctrinal shifts. Precision is paramount—any alteration undermines authority. Properly cited legal quotes strengthen arguments in law reviews, briefs, and policy analyses.
Motivational and Inspirational Block Quotes
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." — Winston Churchill
"Believe you can and you’re halfway there." — Theodore Roosevelt
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." — Eleanor Roosevelt
"Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going." — Sam Levenson
"It always seems impossible until it’s done." — Nelson Mandela
"Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life." — Steve Jobs
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today." — Franklin D. Roosevelt
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." — Wayne Gretzky
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." — Arthur Ashe
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." — Vincent Van Gogh
"The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it." — Anonymous
"Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people." — Anonymous
Inspirational quotes are widely shared in blogs, speeches, and self-help content. When using longer motivational excerpts, block formatting adds visual emphasis and professionalism. While informal settings may skip citations, academic or published works require attribution. Use indentation to distinguish the quote from surrounding text. Pair each quote with a brief reflection to deepen impact. Though often short, multiple-sentence quotes qualify for block treatment in formal writing. Authentic sourcing prevents misinformation and respects intellectual ownership, enhancing both credibility and emotional resonance.
Fictional Dialogue Block Quotes
"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." — The White Queen, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." — Narrator, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"You've been in Afghanistan, I perceive." — Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." — Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
"I am haunted by humans." — The Ghost in Hamlet by William Shakespeare
"We accept the love we think we deserve." — Sean Maguire, Good Will Hunting (screenplay by Matt Damon & Ben Affleck)
"After all, tomorrow is another day!" — Scarlett O’Hara, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist." — Verbal Kint, The Usual Suspects (film)
"I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse." — Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather by Mario Puzo
"Here's looking at you, kid." — Rick Blaine, Casablanca (screenplay)
"I'm tired of pretending I'm somebody I'm not." — Elle Woods, Legally Blonde (film)
"You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water." — Rabindranath Tagore (often adapted in fictional narratives)
Fictional dialogue brings characters to life and conveys thematic depth. When quoting extended exchanges or monologues, use block formatting for readability. Introduce the character, scene, and source before the quote. Preserve original punctuation and line breaks. In academic writing, analyze tone, subtext, or narrative function afterward. While screenplays and novels differ in formatting, the principle remains: clarity and fidelity. Block quotes prevent confusion between narration and speech, ensuring accurate representation of dramatic expression in literary and cultural analysis.
Schlussworte
Mastering the art of citing block quotes enhances both the credibility and clarity of your writing. Whether drawing from literature, science, law, or inspiration, proper formatting ensures respect for original authors and strengthens your argument. Each genre has nuanced rules—MLA, APA, Chicago, or Bluebook—but the core principles remain: accuracy, attribution, and analysis. Never let a quote stand alone; always frame it with context and follow it with interpretation. With practice, integrating block quotes becomes seamless, transforming your work into a well-supported, engaging, and professional piece. Use these examples as templates to build confidence and precision in all your written endeavors.
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