100+ MLA Block Quote Examples: Perfect Copywriting & Formatting Guide
Mastering the art of block quotes in MLA format is essential for students, researchers, and writers aiming to maintain academic integrity while integrating authoritative sources into their work. A block quote—used for text longer than four lines of prose or three lines of verse—is set apart from the main text through indentation and specific formatting rules. This article explores ten distinct types of quotes that commonly require block formatting in MLA style, including prose excerpts, poetry lines, dialogue passages, and more. Each section provides twelve ready-to-use examples with proper structural presentation, offering practical insight into correct citation, punctuation, and integration techniques.
Prose Excerpts (Fiction & Nonfiction)
When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.
The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.
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.
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
I am an invisible man. No, I am not a spook like those who haunted Edgar Allan Poe.
Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse.
It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed.
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole filled with the ends of worms.
There was a dealer who was interested in them as furniture, but they insisted on being read.
The world was hers for the reading. She snapped the book shut, took a deep breath, and stepped into the streets.
She stood in the doorway, book in hand, wondering if words could ever truly heal a broken heart.
In MLA format, prose excerpts exceeding four lines should be formatted as block quotes. Begin the quote on a new line, indent the entire passage one inch from the left margin (or 0.5 inches in some styles), and maintain double spacing. Do not use quotation marks. Introduce the quote with a colon if it follows a complete sentence; otherwise, integrate smoothly. After the quote, include the author’s last name and page number in parentheses. These examples illustrate famous opening lines and narrative passages ideal for analysis in literary essays, demonstrating how to preserve original wording while adhering to academic standards.
Poetry Lines (Three or More Lines)
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.
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air—
Between the Heaves of Storm.
Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets.
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.
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight.
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.
Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;
But you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone, besmear’d with sluttish time.
I, being born a woman and distressed
By all the needs and notions that besiege
The heart of her who leans upon a breast.
When quoting three or more consecutive lines of poetry in MLA style, use a block quote format. Reproduce the original line breaks, preserving capitalization and punctuation. Indent the entire passage one inch from the left margin, and maintain double spacing. Use a forward slash (/) to indicate line breaks only when embedding short poetic lines in prose; in block quotes, actual line breaks are retained. After the quote, cite the author and line numbers (if available) or page number. These poetic selections demonstrate emotional depth and rhythmic structure, making them ideal for literary analysis and critical writing within academic contexts.
Dialogue Passages (Multiple Speakers)
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Just thinking,” he replied.
“About what?”
“Everything.”
“Did you hear that noise?”
“Yes, it came from upstairs.”
“Should we go check?”
“Only if you’re ready.”
“I can’t believe you said that.”
“Well, it’s true.”
“Truth doesn’t always need to be spoken.”
“Maybe not, but silence hurts more.”
“Where have you been?”
“Out walking.”
“For three hours?”
“Thinking helps me breathe.”
“Are you coming tonight?”
“I don’t know if I should.”
“Why not?”
“Because every time I see you, I forget why I left.”
“You promised.”
“I know.”
“Then why didn’t you come?”
“Fear tastes like regret.”
“Is it over?”
“It never really began.”
“Then why does it hurt so much?”
“Because beginnings aren’t the only things that matter.”
“Did you mean it?”
“Every word.”
“Even the ones that broke me?”
“Especially those.”
“Can we start again?”
“We can try.”
“Will it be different?”
“Only if we remember why we failed.”
“Why did you leave?”
“To find myself.”
“And did you?”
“I found pieces of you everywhere.”
“Do you still love me?”
“I never stopped.”
“Then why did you go?”
“Love isn’t always enough.”
“Will you stay this time?”
“If you let me.”
“What if I break again?”
“Then I’ll help you mend.”
In MLA formatting, extended dialogue involving multiple speakers should be presented as a block quote when exceeding four lines. Maintain the original formatting, including quotation marks and speaker tags, and indent the entire passage one inch from the left margin. Do not add extra spaces before or after the quote. Introduce the dialogue with a signal phrase or colon. Cite the author and page number after the quote. These exchanges highlight emotional tension and character development, useful in analyzing dramatic literature, plays, or narrative fiction. Proper citation ensures clarity and academic credibility in student writing.
Long Quotations from Academic Sources
Scholarship in the digital age requires not only access to information but also the ability to critically assess its validity, origin, and relevance within evolving epistemological frameworks.
The concept of discourse communities suggests that language use is deeply embedded in social practices and shared goals among members of specific professional or academic groups.
Cultural capital influences educational outcomes by shaping students’ familiarity with dominant linguistic codes and institutional expectations within academic environments.
Metacognition plays a crucial role in learning, enabling students to monitor their understanding, adjust strategies, and reflect on the effectiveness of their study methods.
Peer review serves as a gatekeeping mechanism in scholarly publishing, ensuring methodological rigor, originality, and adherence to disciplinary standards before dissemination.
Critical literacy extends beyond decoding text; it involves questioning power structures, identifying bias, and recognizing whose voices are included or excluded.
Interdisciplinary research fosters innovation by bridging gaps between fields, encouraging diverse methodologies, and addressing complex societal challenges.
Epistemological pluralism acknowledges that knowledge can emerge from multiple sources, including empirical data, personal experience, and cultural traditions.
Academic integrity is not merely about avoiding plagiarism but encompasses honesty, responsibility, and respect for intellectual contributions.
Rhetorical awareness enables writers to adapt tone, structure, and evidence based on audience, purpose, and context in persuasive communication.
The recursive nature of the writing process means that planning, drafting, revising, and editing often occur simultaneously rather than in linear stages.
Genre conventions shape reader expectations and guide writers in organizing content, using appropriate style, and meeting disciplinary norms.
When incorporating lengthy quotations from scholarly articles or books in MLA format, block quotes are required for prose exceeding four lines. These quotes must be introduced with a signal phrase, set off with a one-inch left margin, and double-spaced. Avoid quotation marks and place the parenthetical citation after the closing punctuation. These examples represent key concepts in education, rhetoric, and sociology, suitable for analytical essays. Accurate formatting demonstrates respect for source material and strengthens argumentation by grounding claims in established research, enhancing the writer's credibility.
Quoting from Interviews (Published or Personal)
“I realized that creativity isn’t about inspiration—it’s about discipline and showing up every day, even when you don’t feel like it.”
“Teaching changed me. I thought I was here to educate students, but they ended up teaching me about resilience and hope.”
“The hardest part of recovery wasn’t the pain—it was learning to forgive myself for surviving.”
“As a first-generation college student, I felt like an imposter until I realized my story was my strength.”
“Technology connects us, but sometimes I wonder if we’ve forgotten how to truly listen.”
“Writing saved me. In journals, I found a voice I didn’t know I had.”
“Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about empathy, listening, and lifting others as you climb.”
“I didn’t choose activism. The world forced me into it when I saw injustice staring back at my children.”
“Success isn’t measured in awards but in the moments when someone says, ‘Your words helped me.’”
“I used to think vulnerability was weakness. Now I know it’s the bravest thing a person can show.”
“Art doesn’t have to be understood to be felt. That’s where its power lies.”
“Change begins not with policy but with conversation—real, uncomfortable, honest dialogue.”
When quoting directly from interviews—whether published or personal—in MLA style, block quotes are used for responses longer than four lines. Introduce the speaker clearly (e.g., “According to Dr. Lee…”), then present the quote indented one inch from the left. For personal interviews, include the interviewee’s name, descriptor (e.g., personal interview), and date in the citation. Published interviews follow standard author-page format. These quotes reflect authentic voices and lived experiences, adding depth to research papers in social sciences, education, and humanities. Proper attribution maintains ethical standards and enriches narrative authenticity.
Religious or Sacred Texts
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
When quoting sacred texts such as the Bible, block quotes are used in MLA when citing extended passages. Although religious texts are widely known, they still require proper citation including version (e.g., NIV, KJV) and specific reference (book, chapter, verse). When quoting four or more lines, format as a block quote with one-inch indentation. These verses emphasize moral teachings, spiritual comfort, and ethical guidance, often cited in philosophical, theological, or literary analyses. Correct formatting shows respect for the text and ensures clarity for readers unfamiliar with scriptural references.
Historical Documents and Speeches
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.
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.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills.
No taxation without representation.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror.
All men are created equal—but some work harder in August.
Give me liberty, or give me death!
Historical documents and speeches often contain powerful rhetoric suitable for block quoting in MLA format. When quoting more than four lines from a speech or foundational text (e.g., Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg Address), use a block quote with one-inch indentation. Introduce the quote with context (speaker, occasion), and cite appropriately—even if no page number exists, provide the source title or document name. These excerpts capture pivotal moments in history and civic discourse, valuable for essays in political science, history, and composition. Proper use enhances persuasive impact and academic rigor.
Philosophical and Theoretical Excerpts
Cogito, ergo sum: I think, therefore I am.
Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.
Existence precedes essence.
Nothing is more unjust than equitable treatment of unequal people.
Morality is the herd instinct in the individual.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.
Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.
Freedom is the recognition of necessity.
Language is the house of Being. In its home man dwells.
Philosophical and theoretical writings often demand precise quotation due to their conceptual density. In MLA style, long excerpts from philosophers like Descartes, Kant, or Sartre should be block-quoted when exceeding four lines. These ideas shape debates in ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. Format with one-inch indentation, no quotation marks, and proper citation. Though many quotes are well-known, accurate sourcing is still required. These statements provoke reflection and support argumentative depth in academic writing across disciplines, from literature to political theory, when correctly integrated and contextualized.
Quotes from Plays and Screenplays
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.
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
BLANCHE: I don’t want realism. I want magic!
I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them.
I don’t tell truth. I tell what ought to be truth.
WILLY: I’m not noticed any more. You walk into a restaurant and you’re lost. Nobody knows you.
VIOLA: Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
How easy is it for the proper false
In women’s waxen hearts to set their forms!
KING LEAR: Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks!
NORA: I have been performing tricks for you, Torvald. That’s how I’ve survived. But now I must educate myself.
OEDIPUS: I, Oedipus, whom all men call the Great,
Cursed in my cradle, now cursed in my marriage.
ESTRAGON: Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it’s awful.
HEDDA: I want to live in the midst of life, not merely look on as a spectator.
BERNARDA: Silence! Not a word! From this moment on, this house is wrapped in mourning.
STANLEY: Stella! Hey, Stella!
MLA guidelines require block quotes for dialogue from plays when quoting more than two lines. Include character names in uppercase followed by a colon, preserve stage directions in brackets if necessary, and indent the entire passage one inch. Cite by act, scene, and line numbers (e.g., 3.2.15–18) or page number depending on edition. These dramatic excerpts reveal character psychology, thematic conflict, and literary structure. Proper formatting ensures clarity and academic precision, especially in literary criticism and performance studies, allowing writers to analyze textual nuances effectively.
Digital and Multimedia Content Quotes
“In a world of algorithms, attention is the rarest currency.”
“Social media doesn’t connect us—it compares us.”
“The internet remembers everything. Forgiveness has become a radical act.”
“We curate identities online, but authenticity thrives in the unposted moments.”
“Digital literacy is no longer optional—it’s survival in the information age.”
“Clickbait feeds anxiety. Curiosity feeds growth.”
“We used to search for answers. Now we scroll past them.”
“Virality isn’t impact. Lasting change starts in quiet conversations.”
“Your feed reflects your fears as much as your interests.”
“Online outrage is performance. Real justice is persistence.”
“We measure worth in likes, but connection can’t be quantified.”
“The most dangerous filter isn’t on Instagram—it’s in our minds.”
With the rise of digital scholarship, quoting from blogs, podcasts, videos, and social media is increasingly common. MLA recommends treating substantial quotes from multimedia sources as block quotes when lengthy. Include a timestamp for audiovisual content and URL or platform name in citations. These modern aphorisms reflect contemporary concerns about technology, identity, and culture. While informal in tone, they carry rhetorical weight and are valuable in discussions of media studies, sociology, and digital ethics. Accurate formatting preserves source integrity and aligns with evolving academic standards.
Schlussworte
Effectively using block quotes in MLA format enhances the credibility and depth of academic writing across disciplines. Whether quoting literature, speeches, interviews, or digital content, proper formatting ensures clarity, avoids plagiarism, and respects intellectual property. Each quote type—prose, poetry, dialogue, or philosophical insight—requires careful attention to indentation, punctuation, and citation. By mastering these techniques, writers can seamlessly integrate authoritative voices into their arguments while maintaining stylistic precision. As demonstrated through these ten categories and their illustrative examples, block quotes are not merely mechanical requirements but powerful tools for engagement, analysis, and persuasion in scholarly discourse.
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