100+ MLA Block Quote Examples: Perfect Copywriting & Citation Guide

When he was gone, there was nothing. I looked at the empty drive, the trees without leaves, the gray sky above, and felt a deep hollow where joy should have been (Smith 45).

She walked through the market with her head high, ignoring the whispers behind her back, knowing that every judgment said more about them than about her (Johnson 78).

The war didn’t end when the guns fell silent; it lived on in nightmares, in silence at dinner tables, in the way children flinched at loud noises (Martinez 102).

He had always believed in second chances until he realized some people never change, no matter how many opportunities they’re given (Lee 63).

In the quiet of the library, she found peace—not because books erased her pain, but because they reminded her she wasn’t alone (Nguyen 89).

Time doesn’t heal wounds, she thought; it just teaches you how to carry them without collapsing (Roberts 117).

They stood at the edge of the cliff, not speaking, watching the sun sink below the horizon, both aware this might be their last moment together (Taylor 54).

Every lie he told was meant to protect someone, but in the end, protection became another kind of betrayal (Clark 91).

She kept the letter in her drawer for seventeen years, never opening it, afraid of what forgiveness might demand (Wong 130).

There are moments in life so painful that even memory refuses to hold them clearly (Fisher 203).

He smiled then, not because he was happy, but because pretending was easier than explaining his sorrow (Bennett 77).

The house remembered everything—the laughter, the shouting, the silence after the funeral—and she could feel its grief in the floorboards (Price 144).

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 (Wordsworth 1–4).

Do not go gentle into that good night,
    Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light (Thomas 1–3).

Because I could not stop for Death,
    He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
    And Immortality (Dickinson 1–4).

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
    And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
    And looked down one as far as I could (Frost 1–4).

Let America be America again.
    Let it be the dream it used to be—
Not the dream our fathers dreamed—a dream
    Of equality and liberty (Hughes 1–4).

I, too, sing America.
    I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
    When company comes (Hughes 1–4).

What happens to a dream deferred?
    Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
    Or fester like a sore—and then run? (Hughes 1–4).

I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
    And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you (Whitman 1–3).

Fire and ice, desire and hate,
    One will suffice to end the world’s estate;
If twice I must choose, I know the score—
    Ice is as great a destroyer as fire (Frost 1–4).

She walks in beauty, like the night
    Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
    Meet in her aspect and her eyes (Byron 1–4).

Hope is the thing with feathers
    That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
    And never stops at all (Dickinson 1–4).

My love is like a red, red rose
    That’s newly sprung in June;
My love is like the melody
    That’s sweetly played in tune (Burns 1–4).

HAMLET: To be, or not to be—that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles (Shakespeare 3.1.58–61).

LADY MACBETH: Yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great,
Art not without ambition, but without (Shakespeare 1.5.16–19).

MACBETH: Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still (Shakespeare 2.1.33–35).

KING LEAR: Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks! (Shakespeare 3.2.1–3).

OTHELLO: But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again. Othello, I do love thee;
No more terrible state can be imagined (Shakespeare 3.3.91–93).

PORTIA: The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes (Shakespeare 4.1.182–85).

RICHARD III: Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that loured upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried (Shakespeare 1.1.1–4).

FAUSTUS: Was this the face that launched a thousand ships,
And burned the topless towers of Ilium?
Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss (Marlowe 5.1.90–92).

HEDDA: I want to live in the moment when the sunlight streams through the window—
when everything feels possible, before decisions harden into fate (Ibsen 2.12).

NORA: You don’t understand me. And I’ve never understood you either—
till tonight. No, you’re not to interrupt me. I’ve got to force myself to speak (Ibsen 3.45).

WILLY: I’m not noticed any more. You work hard, you don’t steal, you try to be decent, and then—nobody knows who you are (Miller 2.18).

BLANCHE: I don’t want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people (Williams 6.33).

Recent studies indicate that prolonged screen exposure correlates with increased anxiety levels among adolescents, particularly in social contexts (Thompson 214).

The integration of AI in classrooms has shown measurable improvements in student engagement, though ethical concerns remain unresolved (Chen et al. 45).

Climate models predict a 2.5°C global temperature rise by 2050 if current emission trends continue unchecked (Reynolds 88).

Neuroplasticity research confirms that adult brains retain the ability to form new neural pathways through consistent learning (Garcia 103).

Urban green spaces significantly reduce ambient temperatures and improve mental health outcomes in densely populated areas (Kim 76).

Multilingual education enhances cognitive flexibility and delays the onset of neurodegenerative diseases (O’Sullivan 132).

Economic inequality remains the strongest predictor of political instability in emerging democracies (Dubois 155).

Genetic editing technologies present unprecedented medical opportunities but require rigorous international oversight (Park 201).

Remote work increases productivity but decreases spontaneous collaboration, affecting innovation pipelines (Adams 67).

Early childhood nutrition directly impacts long-term academic achievement and emotional regulation (Singh 94).

Social media algorithms amplify confirmation bias, reinforcing ideological polarization (Ng 118).

Renewable energy adoption is hindered more by policy inertia than technological limitations (Rivera 177).

“I never set out to be a leader,” she explained. “I just refused to stay silent when I saw injustice” (Martinez, personal interview, 12 Mar. 2023).

He emphasized that creativity isn’t about talent—it’s about showing up every day, even when inspiration doesn’t (Kim, interview, 5 Apr. 2022).

“The hardest part of recovery wasn’t the pain,” he said. “It was relearning how to trust my own body” (Reyes, interview, 18 Jan. 2023).

She recalled, “We didn’t have resources, but we had determination. That made all the difference” (Nguyen, interview, 30 May 2021).

“Success isn’t measured in awards,” he noted. “It’s measured in lives changed” (Clarke, interview, 9 Feb. 2023).

“I write to understand myself,” she admitted. “Each story is a piece of a puzzle I’m still solving” (Foster, interview, 14 July 2022).

“Teaching isn’t about delivering information,” he argued. “It’s about awakening curiosity” (Bell, interview, 22 Oct. 2021).

“The pandemic taught us resilience isn’t optional,” she stated. “It’s a survival skill” (Wong, interview, 3 Mar. 2023).

“I used to fear failure,” he confessed. “Now I see it as data—feedback for the next attempt” (Patel, interview, 11 June 2022).

“Community healing starts with listening,” she insisted. “Not fixing, not judging—just listening” (Davis, interview, 7 Aug. 2021).

“Art doesn’t need permission to exist,” he declared. “It only needs space to breathe” (Ortega, interview, 25 Apr. 2023).

“My grandmother taught me that strength isn’t loud,” she reflected. “It’s quiet, persistent, and often unseen” (Torres, interview, 19 Dec. 2022).

According to recent findings, over 70% of remote workers report higher job satisfaction due to flexible scheduling ("Remote Work Trends" par. 4).

Experts warn that misinformation spreads six times faster than verified news on social platforms (Johnson, "Viral Lies" par. 8).

The study highlights a direct link between sleep deprivation and decreased empathy in interpersonal relationships ("Sleep and Emotion" par. 12).

Researchers suggest that urban gardening can reduce food insecurity by up to 30% in low-income neighborhoods (Green, "City Farms" par. 6).

Digital detox programs show promising results in reducing symptoms of digital addiction among teens (Lee, "Unplugged" par. 9).

A growing number of schools are replacing standardized tests with project-based assessments (Adams, "Beyond Testing" par. 5).

Climate activists emphasize that individual action matters, but systemic change drives real impact (Rivera, "Act Now" par. 14).

Mental health professionals advocate for integrating mindfulness into daily school curricula (Ng, "Mindful Classrooms" par. 7).

New data reveals that public transportation use has increased by 22% post-pandemic (Parker, "Transit Revival" par. 3).

Educators stress the importance of teaching digital literacy as a core subject (Thompson, "Tech Skills" par. 11).

Studies confirm that volunteering improves both community cohesion and personal well-being (Fisher, "Giving Back" par. 6).

Scientists urge policymakers to invest in green infrastructure to combat urban heat islands (Reynolds, "Cool Cities" par. 9).

“We don’t need heroes,” she says, staring into the camera. “We need accountability, transparency, and courage from ordinary people” (Citizen Rise 00:42:15).

“The earth is not dying,” states the narrator. “It is being killed, and those responsible are fully aware of what they are doing” (Earth Witness 01:03:44).

“You think war makes heroes?” asks the veteran. “No. War reveals who was already broken” (Frontline Truths 00:55:30).

“Freedom isn’t given,” declares the activist. “It’s taken, inch by inch, protest by protest” (Voices Rising 00:28:17).

“Technology isn’t neutral,” warns the scientist. “It reflects the values of those who build it” (Code & Conscience 00:37:52).

“History doesn’t repeat itself,” says the historian. “But it often rhymes, and we keep missing the rhythm” (Past Echoes 01:12:08).

“Education is the most powerful weapon,” states the teacher. “Yet we fund it like an afterthought” (Classroom Wars 00:20:44).

“Grief doesn’t disappear,” whispers the survivor. “You just learn to carry it differently” (After Loss 00:48:22).

“Capitalism didn’t create greed,” argues the economist. “It institutionalized it” (Profit & People 00:50:11).

“Art saves lives,” insists the muralist. “Not metaphorically. Literally” (Colors of Resistance 00:33:05).

“Democracy dies in silence,” proclaims the journalist. “And right now, it’s gasping” (Press Under Fire 00:15:39).

“Hope is a verb,” concludes the organizer. “Not a feeling. An action” (March Forward 01:20:10).

The Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status (U.S. Const. amend. XIV).

Federal regulations require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act, sec. 102).

All individuals have the right to a fair trial, including access to legal representation and impartial judgment (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art. 10).

Environmental Protection Agency guidelines mandate emissions reductions of 50% by 2030 to meet climate targets (EPA Report 2023, 12).

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition (U.S. Const. amend. I).

The Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms that every child has the right to education and protection from harm (UNCRC, Art. 28).

Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program receiving federal funding (Title IX, 20 U.S.C. § 1681).

The Clean Air Act authorizes the EPA to regulate air pollutants to safeguard public health (Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401).

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting practices (VRA, Pub.L. 89–110).

The Geneva Conventions establish protections for civilians and prisoners during armed conflict (GCIV, Art. 27).

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures (U.S. Const. amend. IV).

The Paris Agreement commits signatory nations to limit global warming to below 2°C (UNFCCC, 2015, Article 2).

“I still remember the way the light came through the trees that morning,” she wrote. “It felt like hope made visible” (Doe, email message to author, 10 Apr. 2023).

In his letter, he admitted, “I spent years running from grief, not realizing it was the only path to healing” (Moore, letter to author, 5 Sept. 2022).

She shared, “Writing became my lifeline when words were the only thing I could control” (Ng, email, 18 Feb. 2023).

“Every time I walk past that bench,” he wrote, “I hear her laughter echoing in the wind” (Ross, email, 30 Nov. 2021).

“I didn’t believe in second chances,” she confessed, “until I gave myself one” (Li, letter, 12 July 2022).

“The war changed everything,” he wrote. “Including the person I thought I’d always be” (Carter, email, 8 Jan. 2023).

“Home isn’t a place,” she mused. “It’s the people who make you feel safe enough to be yourself” (Kim, email, 25 Mar. 2023).

“I used to measure success by achievements,” he admitted. “Now I measure it by peace” (Patel, letter, 14 Oct. 2022).

“Grief taught me more about love than happiness ever did,” she wrote (Wong, email, 7 May 2023).

“I carried guilt for years,” he confessed. “Until I realized forgiveness starts within” (Taylor, letter, 20 Dec. 2021).

“You don’t find purpose,” she wrote. “You build it, one choice at a time” (Fernandez, email, 9 June 2022).

“The bravest thing I ever did,” he said, “was ask for help” (Baker, email, 1 Mar. 2023).

“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” declared President Kennedy in his inaugural address (Kennedy).

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,” said Dr. King (King).

“We shall fight on the beaches,” Churchill vowed. “We shall fight on the landing grounds… we shall never surrender” (Churchill).

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” stated Eleanor Roosevelt (Roosevelt).

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,” warned Dr. King (King).

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed,” asserted Mandela (Mandela).

“We are not here to curse the darkness,” said RFK, “but to light a candle for hope” (Kennedy).

“If not us, who? If not now, when?” challenged Senator Warren (Warren).

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,” said Margaret Mead (Mead).

“Equality is not a concept,” stated RBG. “It’s a reality we must fight for every single day” (Ginsburg).

“The arc of the moral universe is long,” preached Dr. King, “but it bends toward justice” (King).

“Courage is contagious,” said Rep. Lewis. “When one person acts, others follow” (Lewis).