100+ Ways to Quote a Quote in MLA: Expert Copywriting & Citation Tips
In academic writing, properly quoting sources is essential to maintaining credibility and avoiding plagiarism. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format provides clear guidelines for integrating quotations into your work, ensuring clarity and consistency. Whether you're citing a direct quote from a book, a line from a poem, or dialogue from a film, understanding how to quote within MLA standards enhances the professionalism of your writing. This guide explores ten distinct types of quotes, offering practical examples and explanations to help writers accurately incorporate borrowed material. From short in-text citations to block quotes and paraphrased content, each section demonstrates best practices tailored to specific source types and contexts.
Short Direct Quotes from Books
"The only way out is through" (Smith 45).
According to Lee, “truth is rarely pure and never simple” (78).
“We accept the love we think we deserve” (Green 32).
As Brown notes, “fear is a prison” (103).
“Time is a created thing” says Taylor (67).
“She was becoming herself” (Martinez 89).
“History repeats itself” (Johnson 112).
“Courage is not the absence of fear” (White 54).
“Language is the road map of a culture” (Garcia 73).
“Dreams fade with daylight” (Clark 29).
“Wisdom begins in wonder” (Adams 41).
“Solitude is strength” (Nguyen 66).
Long Block Quotes from Novels
When the protagonist reflects on his past, he says:
I remembered the fields of my childhood—the golden wheat swaying under summer winds, the scent of earth after rain, and the silence that spoke louder than words. That silence shaped me more than any voice ever could (Thompson 156).
In her moment of realization, she wrote:
It wasn’t anger I felt, but grief—grief for all the years spent pretending, for the mask I wore so well it became my face (Perez 201).
The narrator describes the city as:
A labyrinth of steel and glass, where dreams were bought and sold like commodities, and loneliness echoed in every alley (Kim 88).
He paused and then admitted:
I had spent my life running from shadows, not realizing they were cast by my own body (Rivera 133).
The character confesses:
Love didn’t conquer all. It didn’t even survive Monday mornings (Foster 177).
After the war, he observed:
Peace isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of justice (Bell 210).
Quotes from Poetry
“Do not go gentle into that good night” (Dylan Thomas, line 1).
“I, too, sing America” (Hughes, line 1).
“Hope is the thing with feathers” (Dickinson, line 1).
“Because I could not stop for Death” (Dickinson, line 1).
“I wandered lonely as a cloud” (Wordsworth, line 1).
“My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains” (Keats, line 1).
“O Captain! My Captain!” (Whitman, line 1).
“Let us go then, you and I” (Eliot, line 1).
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons” (Eliot, line 1).
“Batter my heart, three-person’d God” (Donne, line 1).
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” (Shakespeare, Sonnet 18, line 1).
“Tyger Tyger, burning bright” (Blake, line 1).
Dialogue Quotes from Plays
HAMLET: “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (Shakespeare 3.1.56).
LADY MACBETH: “Unsex me here” (Shakespeare 1.5.40).
BLANCHE: “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” (Williams 182).
WILLY: “Attention must be paid” (Miller 45).
ESTRAGON: “Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes” (Beckett 12).
HEDDA: “I want to live for art’s sake” (Ibsen 99).
LENTZ: “Truth is made, not found” (Hare 73).
ANNIE: “I’m not blind anymore” (Norris 101).
BERNARDA: “Silence in this house!” (Lorca 55).
MRS. MALLARD: “Free! Body and soul free!” (Chopin 33).
KING LEAR: “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth” (Shakespeare 1.4.32).
CECILY: “I’ve always dreamed of loving someone named Ernest” (Wilde 22).
Quotes from Films and Screenplays
“Here's looking at you, kid” (Casablanca).
“I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse” (The Godfather).
“Life is like a box of chocolates” (Forrest Gump).
“You can't handle the truth!” (A Few Good Men).
“I am your father” (The Empire Strikes Back).
“There's no place like home” (The Wizard of Oz).
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” (The Godfather Part II).
“I'll be back” (The Terminator).
“Why so serious?” (The Dark Knight).
“You talking to me?” (Taxi Driver).
“Elementary, my dear Watson” (Sherlock Holmes films).
“I'm king of the world!” (Titanic).
Quotes from Online Articles and Websites
“Social media has reshaped public discourse” (Johnson, 'Digital Voices', para. 4).
According to Lee, “AI will transform education by 2030” (‘Future Classrooms’, para. 7).
“Climate change is no longer a prediction—it’s a reality” (Green, ‘Earth Alert’, para. 12).
“Remote work is redefining urban economies” (Taylor, ‘New Work Trends’, para. 9).
Experts warn, “cybersecurity threats are escalating” (White, ‘Digital Defense’, para. 5).
“Mental health awareness is rising globally” (Martinez, ‘Mind Matters’, para. 3).
“Streaming services dominate entertainment” (Clark, ‘Media Shift’, para. 6).
“Cryptocurrency adoption is accelerating” (Nguyen, ‘Digital Cash’, para. 8).
“Urban farming reduces food miles” (Adams, ‘Green Cities’, para. 11).
“Digital minimalism improves focus” (Brown, ‘Unplugged’, para. 2).
“Renewable energy is now cost-competitive” (Garcia, ‘Clean Power’, para. 10).
“The gig economy lacks worker protections” (Foster, ‘Precarious Work’, para. 13).
Paraphrased Quotes with Attribution
Smith argues that enduring hardship leads to personal growth (45).
Lee suggests that simplicity often masks deeper truths (78).
Green explains that self-worth influences relationship choices (32).
Brown emphasizes that fear is a natural human response (103).
Taylor claims time is a human construct, not an absolute (67).
Martinez observes that identity evolves over time (89).
Johnson warns that history tends to repeat itself (112).
White defines courage as action despite fear (54).
Garcia links language directly to cultural identity (73).
Clark notes that dreams often dissolve in waking life (29).
Adams believes curiosity is the foundation of wisdom (41).
Nguyen sees solitude as a source of inner strength (66).
Quotes with Omissions (Using Ellipses)
“The only way...through” (Smith 45).
“Truth is rarely pure...never simple” (Lee 78).
“We accept the love...we deserve” (Green 32).
“Fear is...prison” (Brown 103).
“Time is...created thing” (Taylor 67).
“She was...herself” (Martinez 89).
“History...repeats” (Johnson 112).
“Courage...absence of fear” (White 54).
“Language...road map” (Garcia 73).
“Dreams...fade” (Clark 29).
“Wisdom...wonder” (Adams 41).
“Solitude...strength” (Nguyen 66).
Quotes with Additions (Using Brackets)
“The only way out [of suffering] is through” (Smith 45).
“Truth is rarely pure and never simple [in politics]” (Lee 78).
“We accept the love we think we deserve [because of low self-esteem]” (Green 32).
“Fear is a prison [from which few escape]” (Brown 103).
“Time is a created thing [by human perception]” (Taylor 67).
“She was becoming herself [after years of repression]” (Martinez 89).
“History repeats itself [when we ignore its lessons]” (Johnson 112).
“Courage is not the absence of fear [but action despite it]” (White 54).
“Language is the road map of a culture [and its values]” (Garcia 73).
“Dreams fade with daylight [as reality sets in]” (Clark 29).
“Wisdom begins in wonder [and ends in understanding]” (Adams 41).
“Solitude is strength [when chosen, not imposed]” (Nguyen 66).
Quotes from Interviews and Speeches
“Change will not come if we wait for others” (Obama, Keynote Address).
“The future belongs to those who believe in beauty” (Angelou, Commencement Speech).
“Innovation distinguishes leaders from followers” (Jobs, Stanford Speech).
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life” (Jobs, Interview, 2005).
“We are not makers of history. We are made by history” (King Jr., Sermon).
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that” (King Jr., Speech).
“Equality is not a concept… it’s something we must live” (Gloria Steinem, Rally Speech).
“If you want to change the world, start with one person” (Clinton, UN Address).
“Empathy is the most radical act” (Brené Brown, TED Talk).
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk” (Branson, Interview, 2010).
“Education is the key to unlocking potential” (Malala, Nobel Lecture).
“We rise by lifting others” (Robert Ingersoll, Public Address).
Schlussworte
Mastering the art of quoting in MLA format empowers writers to integrate external voices seamlessly and ethically into their work. By understanding how to handle different types of quotes—from brief lines in books to extended passages in plays and real-time speeches—writers uphold academic integrity and enhance their arguments. Each quotation type requires attention to detail: proper punctuation, accurate page numbers, correct use of ellipses and brackets, and consistent in-text citations. These elements not only validate your research but also demonstrate respect for original authors. As you refine your citation skills, remember that clarity, precision, and consistency are paramount. With practice, quoting becomes not just a technical task, but a powerful tool for scholarly expression.








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