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100+ MLA Citation Examples: How to Cite Quotes in Any Format

how to cite quote in mla

In academic writing, properly citing quotes using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format is essential for maintaining credibility and avoiding plagiarism. This comprehensive guide explores ten distinct types of quotations—ranging from direct prose and poetry excerpts to dialogue, paraphrased content, and digital media citations. Each section provides 12 practical examples demonstrating correct MLA formatting, including in-text citations and Works Cited entries where applicable. The summaries clarify nuances such as line breaks in poetry, handling missing authors, and integrating quotes smoothly into your narrative. Designed for students, educators, and writers, this resource ensures clarity, consistency, and scholarly precision across all citation scenarios.

Direct Quotes from Prose

According to Smith, "The rise of digital culture has fundamentally altered how we consume information" (45).

"Language shapes thought," argues Lee, "and therefore controls perception" (23).

In her novel, Johnson writes, "She stood at the edge of the cliff, not afraid, but finally free" (102).

"Democracy thrives only when citizens are informed," states Thompson (78).

As Garcia explains, "Urban planning must prioritize human needs over vehicle efficiency" (134).

"Fear is not the absence of courage, but its truest test," notes Williams (56).

"The past is never dead. It's not even past," Faulkner reminds us (91).

Chen observes, "Globalization has created both connection and cultural erosion" (110).

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world," Mandela declares (33).

"Technology amplifies inequality when access is uneven," warns Patel (67).

"We tell stories to make sense of chaos," says Rivera (88).

"Change begins with awareness and ends with action," asserts Kim (121).

Quotes from Poetry

Frost writes, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by" (lines 18–19).

As Dickinson states, "Hope is the thing with feathers— / That perches in the soul—" (lines 1–2).

"I, too, sing America. / I am the darker brother," affirms Hughes (lines 1–2).

"Do not go gentle into that good night, / Rage, rage against the dying of the light," urges Thomas (lines 1, 3).

"Because I could not stop for Death— / He kindly stopped for me—" says Dickinson (lines 1–2).

"What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun?" asks Hughes (lines 1–3).

"Let us go then, you and I, / When the evening is spread out against the sky," invites Eliot (lines 1–2).

"I celebrate myself, and sing myself," declares Whitman (line 1).

"Nothing gold can stay," laments Frost (line 8).

"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons," reflects Eliot (line 51).

"My love is like a red, red rose / That’s newly sprung in June," sings Burns (lines 1–2).

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep," concludes Frost (lines 13–14).

Dialogue from Plays

Hamlet muses, "To be, or not to be: that is the question" (3.1.56).

Lady Macbeth demands, "Unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty" (1.5.40–42).

Othello cries, "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on" (3.3.165–67).

Blanche pleads, "I don't want realism. I want magic!" (Scene 9).

Willy Loman insists, "Attention must be paid" (Act 2).

Lear shouts, "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!" (3.2.1).

"All the world’s a stage," says Jaques (2.7.139).

Nora declares, "I have to try to become a human being" (Final Act).

Tennessee Williams wrote, "Sometimes—there’s God—so quickly!" (Scene 6).

"Is this a dagger which I see before me?" wonders Macbeth (2.1.33).

"Get thee glass eyes, / And like a scurvy politician seem / To see the things thou dost not," rages Lear (4.6.54–56).

Helena says, "The more I love, the more he hateth me" (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1.1.227).

Paraphrased Content

Smith suggests that digital culture has transformed how people access and interpret information (45).

Lee argues that language directly influences how individuals perceive reality (23).

Johnson portrays the character’s leap as an act of liberation, not despair (102).

Thompson emphasizes that informed citizens are crucial for a functioning democracy (78).

Garcia believes urban design should favor pedestrians over cars (134).

Williams defines courage as something proven through fear, not absence of it (56).

Faulkner implies that history continues to influence present decisions (91).

Chen notes globalization brings both cultural exchange and loss (110).

Mandela views education as a vital tool for societal transformation (33).

Patel warns unequal tech access worsens social divides (67).

Rivera explains storytelling helps humans process disorder (88).

Kim stresses that awareness alone isn’t enough—action is required (121).

Block Quotes (Longer than Four Lines)

Smith elaborates on digital literacy:

In today’s world, reading is no longer linear. Users navigate texts through hyperlinks, skim content, and prioritize visuals. This shift demands new educational strategies (47).

Johnson reflects on identity:

Who am I if not the sum of memories? The laughter in childhood kitchens, the silence after loss, the names I’ve been called—all shape me (88).

Thompson outlines civic responsibility:

Citizens must question sources, seek diverse perspectives, and reject misinformation. Democracy depends on vigilance (103).

Lee analyzes linguistic power:

Words define categories: normal/abnormal, legal/illegal, worthy/unworthy. Control language, and you control perception (61).

Chen discusses migration:

People leave homes not just for safety, but for dignity—for schools, jobs, and futures they cannot build where they are (115).

Williams describes grief:

It doesn’t vanish. It changes form— like ice to water, still present, still cold, but flowing differently (77).

Quotes from Online Articles

"Social media algorithms promote outrage because it drives engagement," according to Ramirez ("How Algorithms Shape Opinion").

"Remote work increased productivity by 13% in 2023," reports Chen ("The Future of Work").

"Climate anxiety is rising among teens," notes Gupta ("Youth Mental Health Report").

"AI-generated art challenges copyright norms," states Kim ("Art in the Digital Age").

"Only 30% of users read privacy policies," finds Lee ("Digital Consent Survey").

"Plant-based diets reduce carbon emissions by up to 73%," claims Patel ("Sustainable Eating").

"Misinformation spreads six times faster than facts online," warns Thompson ("Truth in the Digital Era").

"Students retain more from print books than screens," observes Garcia ("Reading Habits Study").

"Urban green spaces improve mental health," says Rivera ("City Planning and Wellbeing").

"Cryptocurrency adoption remains volatile," explains Zhou ("Digital Finance Trends").

"Podcasts increase empathy through personal storytelling," notes Fischer ("Audio and Emotion").

"Digital detoxes improve focus and sleep," states Bell ("Mindful Technology Use").

Quotes with Missing Author or Page Number

"The internet is the largest library in history—and the least organized" ("Digital Chaos," n. pag.).

"Emotional intelligence matters more than IQ in leadership" ("Leadership Skills," no page).

"Over 50% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices" ("Mobile Trends").

"Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function as much as alcohol" ("Brain Health," n. pag.).

"Loneliness is a growing public health crisis" ("Mental Wellness," no page).

"Multitasking reduces productivity by 40%" ("Work Efficiency").

"Children learn empathy through play" ("Child Development," n. pag.).

"Renewable energy costs have dropped 80% since 2010" ("Green Energy").

"Most people forget passwords within days" ("Cybersecurity Tips," no page).

"Visual content gets 94% more views than text" ("Marketing Insights").

"Gratitude improves overall life satisfaction" ("Positive Psychology," n. pag.).

"Dopamine drives habit formation" ("Neuroscience Basics", no page).

Indirect Quotes (Citing a Source You Found in Another Source)

Einstein reportedly said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge" (qtd. in Miller 112).

Darwin observed, "It is not the strongest species that survive" (qtd. in Jones 45).

Marx claimed, "Religion is the opium of the people" (qtd. in Brown 89).

Churchill stated, "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (qtd. in Roberts 67).

Nightingale believed, "Appreciation is the best motivator" (qtd. in Clark 33).

Galileo argued, "And yet it moves" (qtd. in Harris 101).

Roosevelt said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (qtd. in Lewis 22).

King dreamed, "That my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin" (qtd. in Walker 154).

Curie noted, "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood" (qtd. in Young 77).

Lincoln declared, "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" (qtd. in Adams 12).

Hawking explained, "Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change" (qtd. in Reed 90).

Parks insisted, "You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right" (qtd. in Grant 133).

Quotes from Interviews or Personal Communications

Dr. Lee stated in a personal interview, "Early intervention is key to treating anxiety disorders" (15 Mar. 2023).

Prof. Kim emphasized in conversation, "Critical thinking must be taught explicitly" (10 Apr. 2023).

"Students respond better to visual feedback," noted teacher Morgan during a panel (5 Feb. 2023).

"We need policy changes, not just awareness campaigns," said activist Rivera in a phone interview (20 Jan. 2023).

"AI tools can enhance creativity if used ethically," argued developer Zhang (Email message, 12 May 2023).

"Parental involvement increases graduation rates," shared counselor Taylor (Personal interview, 8 Nov. 2022).

"Public transit reduces urban emissions significantly," stated planner Foster (Zoom interview, 30 Mar. 2023).

"Burnout starts with ignoring small warning signs," warned therapist Brooks (In-person talk, 14 July 2023).

"Community gardens build social cohesion," observed urbanist Moore (Field interview, 9 June 2023).

"We underestimate children's emotional intelligence," remarked educator Perez (Classroom observation, 25 Aug. 2022).

"Digital archives preserve marginalized voices," explained archivist Quinn (Email, 18 Apr. 2023).

"Music therapy improves memory recall in dementia patients," shared clinician Reed (Phone call, 7 Dec. 2022).

Quotes from Films or Video Recordings

"I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse," says Don Vito Corleone in *The Godfather* (Coppola).

"Here's looking at you, kid," Rick salutes in *Casablanca* (Curtiz).

"Life is like a box of chocolates," Forrest Gump reflects in *Forrest Gump* (Zemeckis).

"You can't handle the truth!" shouts Colonel Jessup in *A Few Good Men* (Reiner).

"I am your father," Darth Vader reveals in *The Empire Strikes Back* (Lucas).

"There's no place like home," Dorothy clicks in *The Wizard of Oz* (Fleming).

"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer," advises Michael Corleone in *The Godfather Part II* (Coppola).

"I'll be back," says the Terminator in *The Terminator* (Cameron).

"Why so serious?" taunts the Joker in *The Dark Knight* (Nolan).

"Every man dies, not every man really lives," declares William Wallace in *Braveheart* (Gibson).

"I feel the need—the need for speed!" exclaims Maverick in *Top Gun* (Scott).

"Just keep swimming," Dory encourages in *Finding Nemo* (Stanton).

Schlussworte

Mastering MLA citation for quotes is a foundational skill for credible academic writing. From prose and poetry to interviews and films, each source type demands specific formatting rules to ensure accuracy and integrity. This guide has provided clear examples across ten common categories, illustrating how to integrate quotes seamlessly while giving proper credit. Whether citing a classic novel or a TikTok video, adhering to MLA standards demonstrates respect for intellectual property and strengthens your argument. Always verify details like author names, publication dates, and medium of delivery. With practice, these conventions become second nature, empowering you to write confidently, ethically, and persuasively in any scholarly context.

Master MLA citation with 100+ real examples for quotes from books, websites, journals, and more. Perfect for students and writers.

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