In addition to having a works cited or reference page, you must also cite the author in-text,
following the quotation or paraphrased statement. If you are quoting directly from the text, be
sure to include the page number or numbers that the work appeared on. For your conven-
ience, we have included page numbers for the MLA Style Guide 8th Edition (MLA) and The
Bedford Handbook 9th Edition (BH).
Print Works
Work with one author (MLA 116, 126):
"This is an example sentence" (Smith 32).
Work with two authors (MLA 116, 126):
Work with three or more authors (MLA 116, 126):
Work with no author; use first two words of title (MLA 116-118):
“This is an example sentence” ("Article Name" 1123).
Work with a corporate author (MLA 116-117):
Internet Works
Site with one author (MLA 116, 126):
"This is an example sentence" (Smith).
Site with two authors (MLA 116, 126):
“This is an example sentence” (Smith and Williams).
Site with more than three authors (MLA 116, 126):
“This is an example sentence” (Smith et al.).
Site with no author; use first two words of title (MLA 116-118):
“This is an example sentence” ("Webpage Name").
Site with a corporate author (MLA 116-117):
Site that numbers paragraphs (MLA 126-127):
“This is an example sentence” (Smith, par. 1).
All information taken from the MLA Handbook for
Writers of Research Papers, 8th Edition
Last updated by RJG on 10/01/2016
THEACADEMICSUCCESSCENTER
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Block Quotes (MLA 76-77)
Block quotes in MLA are used when a large portion of text must be directly quoted. According
to the 8th edition MLA handbook, if a quotation extends to more than four lines when placed
in your document, set it off from your text by beginning a new line, indenting the entire quoted
section one half inch from the left margin, and typing it double-spaced, without adding
quotation marks. If you quote a single, entire paragraph, do not indent the first line
more than the rest. Include a parenthetical, in-text citation at the end of your block quote
outside of the punctuation. Block quotes are often introduced with a colon, but this may not be
required depending on the structure of the connecting sentence.
To set up a block quote in word, highlight the text you wish to include in the block quote and
click on the increase indent button once. This button is located in the Paragraph category on
your Home ribbon and looks like this:
A block quote may also be set by using the ruler at the top of your word document. Make sure
all parts of the indention indicator have been moved to the 0.5 inch marker as indicated in the
screenshot above.
If your paragraph does not indent properly even after following the above steps, make sure
that you have included a hard return (pushed enter once) both before the block quote and
directly after it. No additional space is needed between the block quote and the rest of the
document text.
