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Sometimes a source says something so precisely, so clearly, or with such weight that paraphrasing would actually weaken your argument. That’s when a direct quote earns its place in your paper. And when that quote runs 40 words or longer, the APA format requires you to present it as a block quote.
Block quotes look different from regular in-text quotes, and they follow their own formatting rules. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a block quote in APA?
A block quote is a direct quotation of 40 words or more that is set off from the surrounding text rather than integrated into a sentence. The formatting itself signals to the reader that this is a quoted passage, no quotation marks needed.
Anything fewer than 40 words should be incorporated into your sentence using quotation marks in the normal way. The 40-word threshold is the line.
When to use a block quote
Block quotes should be used sparingly. In most cases, paraphrasing a source in your own words is the better choice. It shows you understand the material and keeps your paper flowing in your voice rather than someone else’s.
A block quote is the proper call when:
- The exact wording of the source is important to your argument – perhaps you’re analyzing language, style, or a specific phrasing
- Paraphrasing would lose something meaningful from the original
- You’re quoting a legal, historical, or policy document where precise wording carries significant weight
A paper full of block quotes is a paper that isn’t doing enough analytical work. Use them when the original language truly adds something your paraphrase can’t.
How to format a block quote in APA 7
APA 7 block quotes follow a specific set of formatting rules:
- Start the block quote on a new line.
- Do not use quotation marks. The indentation signals that this is a quoted passage.
- Indent the entire quotation 0.5 inches from the left margin (the same distance as a paragraph indent).
- Keep the block quote double-spaced, just like the rest of your paper.
- Place the citation after the final punctuation of the quoted passage, not before it as you would in a regular in-text citation.
That last point is one of the most common block quote errors. In a regular in-text citation, the parenthetical comes before the period. In a block quote, the period comes first, then the citation.
Modifying a block quote
Sometimes you need to make minor modifications to a quoted passage – to clarify a pronoun, fit the quote grammatically into your paper, or omit irrelevant material. APA has specific conventions for both.
Omissions
Use an ellipsis (...) to indicate that you’ve omitted words from the original quote. Place the ellipsis where the omission occurs. Do not use an ellipsis at the beginning or end of a block quote. It’s understood that the quoted passage is an excerpt.
Additions and clarifications
Use square brackets [ ] to add words that aren’t in the original but are needed for clarity. For example, if the original says “he” and the reference isn’t clear in context, you can write [Meldrum] to clarify.
Emphasis
If you want to add emphasis to part of a quote by italicizing it, note this in your citation: (Meldrum, 2007, p. 112, emphasis added). If the emphasis was already in the original, note that too: (emphasis in original).
Formatting block quotes in PERRLA
If you’re using PERRLA, you can select the text you want to format as a block quote, then choose Block Quote from the Text & Heading Styles panel. PERRLA handles the indentation, spacing, and formatting instantly.
Try PERRLA free for 7 days – no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a quote have to be to be a block quote in APA?
Forty words or more. Quotes of 39 words or fewer are integrated into the sentence using quotation marks. At 40 words, the quote becomes a block quote formatted with indentation and no quotation marks.
Does a block quote need quotation marks in APA?
No. The indented formatting signals to the reader that the passage is a direct quote. Adding quotation marks would be redundant.
Where does the citation go in an APA block quote?
After the final punctuation of the quoted passage. This is the opposite of a regular in-text citation, where the parenthetical comes before the period.
Do you indent a block quote in APA?
Yes. The entire block quote is indented 0.5 inches from the left margin. If the quote spans multiple paragraphs, the first line of each additional paragraph is indented an extra 0.5 inches.
Can you modify a block quote in APA?
Yes, with the appropriate notation. Use an ellipsis (...) to indicate omitted words, square brackets [ ] to add clarifying words, and a note in the citation to indicate added or original emphasis.
How often should you use block quotes in APA papers?
Sparingly. Block quotes should be reserved for passages where the original wording is essential. Most of the time, paraphrasing is the better choice. It keeps the paper in your voice and demonstrates that you understand the source material.
