MLA Handbook by A quotation (or direct quotation) copies the exact words, including punctuation, from the original source and encloses them in quotation marks. Quotations are best used in papers for when you want to reproduce an exact definition, when an author of a work has said something memorable, or when you want to respond to the exact wording (something someone said) from an author in your paper.
When not using a quotation for one of the above reasons, it is best to paraphrase information. Additionally, you should check with your instructor to see if they limit the number of quotations you are allowed to use.
Quotations must be cited in-text with either a parenthetical or narrative citation.
Short quotations: if a prose quotation runs no more than four lines in your paperand requires no special emphasis, place it in quatation marks and incorporate it into your prose.
Example of a short quotation:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," wrote Charles Dickens of the revolutionary moment during the eighteenth century.
You may put a quotation at the beginning, middle, or end of your sentence or, divide it by your own words, for the sake of variety, clarity, desired emphasis, or elegance.
Example of a short quotation divided by your own words:
"He was obeyed." writes Joseph Conrad of the company manager in Heart of Darkness, "yet he inspired neither love nor fear, nor event respect" (87).
Long quotations (block quotations) runs more than four lines in your prose. Block quotations should be set off the text as a block indented half an inch (0.5) from the left margin. Do not indent the first line an extra amount or add quotation marks not present in the source. Your prose introducing a quotation displayed in this way should end with a colon, except when the grammatical connection between your introductiory wording and the quotation requires a different mark of punctuation or none at all.
A parenthetical citation for a prose quotation set off from the text follows the last line of the quotation. The punctuation mark concluding the quotation comes before the parenthetical citation; no punctuation follows the citation.
Example block quotation with citation:
They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)
(See sections 6.34 & 6.35 of the MLA Handbook, 9th ed.)
