Using Block Quotes

Sometimes, an author says something so clearly that it’s better to quote them directly. And if that quote is 40 words or more, it becomes a block quote.

Block quotes are formatted differently than regular in-text quotes, and APA has some specific rules for how they should appear.

When to Use a Block Quote

If the quote you want to include is 40 words or longer, APA requires that you format it as a block quote. Anything shorter should just be integrated into your paragraph using quotation marks.

Block quotes shouldn’t be used often. In most cases, it’s better to paraphrase the source in your own words. But when the original language really matters, a block quote is the right choice.

How to Format a Block Quote

Block quotes follow a few unique formatting rules:

• Start the block quote on a new line.
  
  
• Do not use quotation marks. The formatting itself shows that it’s a quote.
  
  
• Indent the entire quote ½ inch from the left margin – just like you would for the first line of a paragraph.
  
  
• If your block quote includes multiple paragraphs, indent the first line of each new paragraph an additional ½ inch.
  
  
• Keep the quote double-spaced, just like the rest of your paper.
  
  
• The citation goes after the final punctuation in the quote – not before it like it would in a regular in-text citation.
  
  

Here’s a quick example of how that works:

Researchers caution that long quotations can overshadow a writer’s own analysis; however, there are moments when the original language communicates a nuance that paraphrasing would dilute. In those cases, present the passage as a block quote, maintain the source’s exact wording, and then explain why it matters to your claim. (Strange & Weber, 2020, p. 42)

If you’re using PERRLA, you can apply the block quote formatting automatically from the Text & Heading Styles panel – just select the text and select Block Quote from the panel. We’ll handle the spacing, indentation, and formatting for you.

That’s it! Block quotes may look a little odd, but once you’ve seen one, they’re easy to set up.

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