To quote properly, copy the source’s words exactly, put them inside quotation marks, and cite where they came from. Those three steps, accuracy, quotation marks, and citation, are what separate a quote from plagiarism or misquotation. The details change slightly between MLA and APA style, and long quotes follow a different format, but the core rule is constant: the words are not yours, so mark them and credit them. Here is how to do it correctly.
What does it mean to quote properly?
A proper quote reproduces the original wording without changing it, encloses it in double quotation marks, and attaches a citation identifying the author and location. If you alter even a word without marking the change, the quote is no longer accurate. If you drop the quotation marks, you are presenting someone else’s words as your own. If you skip the citation, the reader cannot verify the source. All three parts have to be present. For the underlying definition, see direct quotes and how to use them.
How do you quote an author in a sentence?
Introduce the quote with a signal phrase, then place the exact words in quotation marks, then cite. A signal phrase names the source and sets up the words: “As Douglass argues,” or “According to the report.” Without one, a quote drops into the paragraph with no context.
Example in MLA: According to Carr, “the Net seizes our attention only to scatter it” (118). Example in APA: Carr (2010) argued that “the Net seizes our attention only to scatter it” (p. 118). Note the difference: MLA uses author and page number, while APA uses author, year, and page number with “p.” For the full method, see how to introduce a quote.
Where does the punctuation go?
In both MLA and APA, the period goes after the closing parenthesis of the citation, not inside the quotation marks: …to scatter it” (118). Commas and periods that belong to your sentence follow the citation. Question marks and exclamation points that are part of the original quote stay inside the quotation marks. This trips people up because everyday American style usually puts periods inside the quotation marks; with an in-text citation, the citation comes first and the period comes last.
How do you quote a long passage?
Long quotes become block quotes, set off from the text without quotation marks. The threshold differs by style. In MLA, a quote longer than four lines of prose is blocked. In APA, the threshold is 40 words. To format a block quote, start it on a new line, indent the whole thing half an inch, keep it double-spaced, and place the citation after the final period rather than before it. Because the indentation signals a quote, you do not add quotation marks. For step-by-step formatting, see how to block quote.
How do you change a quote correctly?
Sometimes a quote needs a small adjustment to fit your sentence. There are two accepted tools. Square brackets mark any word you add or change for clarity or grammar: “he [Carr] argues.” An ellipsis (…) marks words you removed from the middle: “the Net seizes our attention … to scatter it.” Both keep the quote honest by flagging exactly where you altered it. What you cannot do is silently reword the original or change its meaning by cutting context. If a quote needs heavy editing to fit, paraphrase it instead and cite the paraphrase. See how to paraphrase a quote for when that is the better choice.
How do you cite the quote?
Every quote needs both an in-text citation and a full entry in your Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) list. The in-text citation is the short pointer; the list entry has the full source details. A quote with no full citation is incomplete even if it has the author’s name in the sentence. The exact format depends on the source type and style, covered in how to cite a quote in APA and MLA.
FAQ
What are the rules for quoting properly?
Reproduce the words exactly, enclose them in quotation marks, introduce them with a signal phrase, and cite the source both in the text and in your reference list.
Where does the period go when quoting with a citation?
After the citation, not inside the quotation marks: “…to scatter it” (118). This applies in both MLA and APA for short quotes.
When do you use a block quote?
In MLA, for prose longer than four lines. In APA, for quotes of 40 words or more. Block quotes are indented and omit quotation marks.
How do you shorten or change a quote?
Use an ellipsis (…) to show removed words and square brackets to show added or changed words. Never alter the wording silently or change the original meaning.
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