100+ MLA Format Quote Examples: Perfect Copywriting & Citation Guide
In academic writing, properly citing quotes using MLA format is essential for maintaining credibility, avoiding plagiarism, and giving credit to original authors. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style provides clear guidelines for integrating quotations from various sources—whether they are short or long, direct or paraphrased, from books, articles, or digital media. This article explores ten distinct types of quotes commonly used in scholarly and creative writing, demonstrating how each should be formatted according to the latest MLA standards (9th edition). Each section includes real-world examples, practical applications, and contextual summaries to guide writers in correctly embedding citations while preserving readability and academic integrity.
Short Direct Quotes (Prose)
"The world is too much with us; late and soon, getting and spending, we lay waste our powers" (Wordsworth 4).
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" (Dickens 5).
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way" (Tolstoy 1).
"Call me Ishmael" (Melville 3).
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Austen 1).
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on" (Frost 22).
"To be or not to be, that is the question" (Shakespeare 3.1.58).
"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons" (Eliot 50).
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains" (Rousseau 7).
"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light, except bad news" (Pratchett 103).
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" (Wilde 25).
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything" (Twain 15).
Short direct quotes in prose—typically fewer than four lines—are seamlessly integrated into the writer’s sentence and enclosed in quotation marks. In MLA format, the author’s last name and page number are placed in parentheses immediately after the quote, before the period. When introducing the quote with the author's name, only the page number appears in parentheses. Signal phrases like “according to” or “as stated by” help blend the quote naturally. Proper punctuation is vital: commas and periods go inside the closing quotation mark. These concise quotes enhance argumentation without disrupting flow, making them ideal for reinforcing key points in essays and research papers.
Long Block Quotes (Prose)
According to Orwell, The Ministry of Truth, which concerned itself with news, entertainment, education, and the fine arts, was a vast pyramidal structure of glittering white concrete, soaring up terrace after terrace, three hundred meters above the ground. Beneath its roof lived over three thousand rooms (2).
As Morrison writes, She moved among the group like a queen, not because she demanded respect but because she embodied it. Her silence carried more weight than most people’s speeches (45).
Hemingway describes the scene: The trees were bare and the ground was covered with frost. It was early morning, and the sun had not yet risen above the hills. There was no sound except the wind through the pines (12).
Thoreau reflects: I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived (80).
In her novel, Cather states: The sky was so blue, and the light so sharp and clear, that the snow-covered fields seemed to glow with their own inner fire (67).
Kafka begins: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. He was lying on his hard, as it were armor-plated, back (1).
Steinbeck observes: And the little farmers watched debt creep up on them like a wolf on a crippled calf. They screamed and tried to pay it off, but it grew and grew (45).
Whitman proclaims: I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you (1).
Douglass recounts: I suffered more anxiety than most of my fellow-slaves. I had known once how to read, and I thought I could still do it; and this haunted me (88).
Emerson writes: To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men—that is genius (3).
James notes: She stood at the window, watching the rain fall on the garden. It was not sorrow she felt, nor joy, but something deeper—recognition (102).
Poe narrates: The room was small and black. The walls were covered with tapestry, and the floor was cold stone. There was no light except from a single candle (33).
When a prose quotation exceeds four typed lines, MLA format requires it to be set as a block quote: indented one inch from the left margin (or 0.5 inches in some styles), double-spaced, and without quotation marks. The citation follows the closing punctuation. Block quotes are introduced with a colon and often preceded by a signal phrase. They are used to highlight significant passages that warrant emphasis due to length or rhetorical power. Unlike short quotes, they stand apart visually, allowing readers to focus on the content. Proper formatting ensures clarity and professionalism in academic writing, especially when analyzing complex literary or philosophical texts.
Poetry Quotes (Single Line)
"I wandered lonely as a cloud" (Wordsworth 1).
"Do not go gentle into that good night" (Thomas 1).
"Because I could not stop for Death" (Dickinson 1).
"Tyger Tyger, burning bright" (Blake 1).
"Let us go then, you and I" (Eliot 1).
"I, being born a woman and distressed" (Millay 1).
"My love is like a red, red rose" (Burns 1).
"Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?" (Shakespeare 1).
"Half a league, half a league onward" (Tennyson 1).
"I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear" (Whitman 1).
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds" (Shakespeare 2).
"Hope is the thing with feathers" (Dickinson 1).
Single-line poetry quotes are incorporated into the text using quotation marks, just like prose, but line numbers replace page numbers in MLA citations. The poet’s name may be mentioned in the signal phrase or in parentheses. Poetry often conveys dense meaning in few words, so even a single line can carry significant thematic weight. Writers should preserve original capitalization and punctuation. When quoting metered verse, accuracy is crucial. These concise quotes are effective for illustrating tone, theme, or stylistic devices such as metaphor or alliteration. Proper attribution ensures respect for poetic craftsmanship and strengthens analytical arguments in literary criticism.
Poetry Quotes (Multiple Lines)
As Wordsworth writes: "I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills" (1–2).
Blake describes: "Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night" (1–2).
Eliot reflects: "Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky" (1–2).
Dickinson muses: "Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me –" (1–2).
Shakespeare asks: "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate" (1–2).
Burns declares: "O my Luve is like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June" (1–2).
Whitman sings: "I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume" (1–2).
Tennyson calls: "Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward" (1–2).
Frost contemplates: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by" (18–19).
Pound urges: "In a Station of the Metro The apparition of these faces in the crowd" (1–2).
Hughes dreams: "Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die" (1–2).
Plath confesses: "I have done it again. One year in every ten" (1–2).
When quoting two or three lines of poetry, slashes (/) are used to separate lines within a single paragraph. For four or more lines, a block format is used with each line indented and preserved in its original structure. Line breaks must be maintained exactly as in the source. Slashes are surrounded by spaces: “line one / line two.” Multiple-line poetry quotes allow analysis of rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. They are powerful tools in literary discussion, especially when examining form and content together. Accurate citation using line numbers (not page numbers) ensures precision and helps readers locate the passage. These quotes enrich interpretation and demonstrate close reading skills.
Dialogue Quotes (From Plays)
Hamlet says, "To be or not to be, that is the question" (Shakespeare 3.1.58).
Lady Macbeth urges, "Unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty" (Shakespeare 1.5.41–43).
Othello cries, "It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul" (Shakespeare 5.2.336).
King Lear laments, "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is / To have a thankless child" (Shakespeare 1.4.32–33).
Viola declares, "I am all the daughters of my father's house, / And all the brothers too" (Shakespeare 2.4.26–27).
Brutus reasons, "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more" (Shakespeare 3.2.22).
Rosalind teases, "Men have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them, but not for love" (Shakespeare 4.1.103–104).
Puck boasts, "I am that merry wanderer of the night" (Shakespeare 2.1.40).
Cassius warns, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves" (Shakespeare 1.2.140–141).
Juliet pleads, "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" (Shakespeare 2.2.33).
Prospero commands, "Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes and groves, / And ye that on the sands with printless foot / Do chase the ebbing Neptune" (Shakespeare 5.1.33–35).
Malvolio dreams, "I may command where I obey" (Shakespeare 2.5.33).
In MLA format, dialogue from plays is cited using act, scene, and line numbers rather than page numbers, separated by periods (e.g., 3.1.58). When quoting a single line, use standard quotation marks. For multiple lines, use block formatting and preserve character names and indentation as in the original script. Quoting dialogue effectively supports character analysis, thematic exploration, and dramatic structure discussions. Always introduce the speaker clearly and maintain original punctuation and capitalization. These quotes are central to interpreting Shakespearean and modern drama, offering direct access to voice, tone, and intent. Proper citation enhances scholarly rigor and reader engagement.
Quotes from Online Articles
"Social media has fundamentally altered how we consume information" (Smith).
"Climate change is no longer a future threat—it is happening now" (Johnson).
"AI-generated content raises serious questions about authorship and authenticity" (Lee).
"Remote work is reshaping urban economies across the globe" (Martinez).
"Digital literacy is now as essential as reading and writing" (Kim).
"Misinformation spreads six times faster than factual news" (Nguyen).
"Young voters are increasingly shaping national political agendas" (Taylor).
"The gig economy offers flexibility but lacks stability" (Roberts).
"Mental health awareness has reached an all-time high" (Clark).
"Data privacy laws lag behind technological innovation" (Wong).
"Renewable energy adoption is accelerating faster than expected" (Garcia).
"Algorithms shape our preferences more than we realize" (Patel).
Quotes from online articles require the author’s last name in parentheses if available. If no page numbers exist, only the author is cited. MLA recommends including the URL or DOI in the Works Cited entry, though not in the in-text citation. When quoting digital sources, ensure the content is credible and from a reputable publisher. Signal phrases help integrate quotes smoothly. Online quotes are valuable for discussing current events, technology, and social trends. Given the rapid evolution of digital media, accurate sourcing and up-to-date references are critical. These quotes reflect contemporary discourse and support evidence-based arguments in modern academic writing.
Quotes from Films
"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" (The Godfather).
"Here's looking at you, kid" (Casablanca).
"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).
"Life is like a box of chocolates" (Forrest Gump).
"You talking to me?" (Taxi Driver).
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer" (The Godfather Part II).
"I'll be back" (The Terminator).
"Why so serious?" (The Dark Knight).
"Every man dies, not every man really lives" (Braveheart).
"I feel the need—the need for speed!" (Top Gun).
Film quotes are cited by the movie title in italics within parentheses when no individual speaker is emphasized. If quoting a specific character, introduce them in the signal phrase. MLA does not require timestamps unless referencing a precise moment. Film dialogue is powerful in cultural and rhetorical analysis, often reflecting societal values or iconic performances. These quotes are widely recognized and can strengthen persuasive or comparative essays. Ensure accuracy in wording and context. While entertaining, film quotes must be used judiciously in academic writing to maintain scholarly tone and relevance. Proper integration supports argumentation without distracting from analysis.
Paraphrased Quotes
According to Smith, social media has changed the way people interact with news (Smith).
Johnson argues that climate change impacts are already visible worldwide (Johnson).
Lee suggests that artificial intelligence challenges traditional notions of authorship (Lee).
Martinez explains how remote work is transforming city economies (Martinez).
Kim emphasizes that digital skills are now fundamental to education (Kim).
Nguyen finds that false information spreads significantly faster than accurate reports (Nguyen).
Taylor observes that younger generations are becoming politically influential (Taylor).
Roberts notes that gig jobs provide freedom but lack job security (Roberts).
Clark states that public attention to mental health has never been greater (Clark).
Wong warns that privacy regulations are falling behind tech advancements (Wong).
Garcia reports that renewable energy use is growing rapidly (Garcia).
Patel believes algorithms subtly influence personal choices (Patel).
Paraphrasing involves restating a source’s idea in your own words while retaining the original meaning. In MLA format, paraphrased content still requires an in-text citation with the author’s name. Even without quotation marks, failing to cite constitutes plagiarism. Effective paraphrasing demonstrates comprehension and allows smoother integration into your narrative. It is especially useful when summarizing complex ideas or combining multiple sources. Always ensure the rephrased version differs significantly in structure and wording from the original. Paraphrased quotes maintain academic honesty and support original analysis, making them indispensable in research writing.
Quotes with Omissions (Ellipses)
"The world is too much with us ... we lay waste our powers" (Wordsworth 4).
"It was the best of times ... it was the worst of times" (Dickens 5).
"All happy families are alike ... each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way" (Tolstoy 1).
"I have measured out my life ... with coffee spoons" (Eliot 50).
"To be or not to be ... that is the question" (Shakespeare 3.1.58).
"Man is born free ... and everywhere he is in chains" (Rousseau 7).
"We are all in the gutter ... but some of us are looking at the stars" (Wilde 25).
"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light ... except bad news" (Pratchett 103).
"Call me ... Ishmael" (Melville 3).
"If you tell the truth ... you don't have to remember anything" (Twain 15).
"I wandered lonely as a cloud ... that floats on high" (Wordsworth 1).
"Do not go gentle into that good night ... rage, rage against the dying of the light" (Thomas 1, 19).
Ellipses (three spaced periods: . . .) indicate omitted words within a quote. In MLA format, ellipses preserve the integrity of the original while allowing conciseness. Use them only when removing non-essential words that don’t alter meaning. If omitting a sentence, use four periods (including the period ending the prior sentence). Ellipses should not misrepresent the author’s intent. They are particularly useful in trimming long quotes or focusing on key phrases. Always ensure grammatical correctness after omission. Responsible use of ellipses maintains accuracy and trustworthiness in scholarly writing, ensuring quotes remain both impactful and honest.
Quotes with Additions (Brackets)
"The [researchers] concluded that social media affects attention spans" (Smith 12).
"Participants reported feeling [increasingly] anxious online" (Lee 8).
"The data suggests [a strong] correlation between screen time and sleep loss" (Kim 15).
"Students [in urban schools] showed higher engagement levels" (Taylor 22).
"The algorithm prioritizes [sensational] content over factual reporting" (Nguyen 30).
"Climate models predict [significant] warming by 2050" (Johnson 45).
"Workers [in the gig economy] face unpredictable incomes" (Roberts 18).
"Patients described [intense] relief after therapy" (Clark 7).
"The study focused on [young adults aged 18–25]" (Wong 11).
"Renewable investment grew [by 15%] last year" (Garcia 29).
"AI systems learn from [vast amounts of] user data" (Patel 5).
"The character expresses [deep] regret for his actions" (Miller 33).
Brackets [ ] are used in MLA format to insert clarifying words into a quote without changing its meaning. This is helpful when the original text lacks context (e.g., pronouns without antecedents) or when updating archaic terms. Additions must be minimal and neutral, never distorting the author’s message. Brackets distinguish editorial changes from the original text, preserving transparency. They are especially useful in historical or technical writing where clarification aids understanding. When used responsibly, brackets enhance readability and precision, allowing quotes to serve modern audiences without sacrificing authenticity or academic rigor.
Schlussworte
Mastering the MLA format for different types of quotes is a foundational skill for any serious writer. Whether incorporating brief lines of poetry, lengthy prose passages, cinematic dialogue, or digital content, proper citation ensures intellectual honesty and strengthens the credibility of your work. Each quote type—short, long, paraphrased, or modified—serves a unique purpose and follows specific formatting rules designed to balance clarity with scholarly precision. By understanding how to use ellipses, brackets, line numbers, and parenthetical citations correctly, writers can engage deeply with sources while maintaining originality. Ultimately, accurate quoting is not just about rules—it’s about respect for ideas, authors, and the pursuit of knowledge.
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