Do I cite a word or passage each time I quote it?
No. If you quote from a work and provide an in-text citation at first mention, you usually do not have to provide an in-text citation… Read More
Posts related to quotations
How do I punctuate a quotation within a quotation within a quotation?
A simple principle applies for what seems like a thorny issue: Nest punctuation that appears within punctuation by alternating punctuation marks to disambiguate–in this case,… Read More
In an in-text citation, how do I shorten a title enclosed in quotation marks if the title begins with a quotation?
If you need to shorten a title enclosed in quotation marks that begins with a quotation, use the title within the title as the short… Read More
What should I include in parentheses if the author’s name is provided in a signal phrase and the source has no page numbers or other kind of part number?
As the MLA Handbook notes, “When a source has no page numbers or any other kind of part number, no number should be given in a parenthetical… Read More
What You Can Omit When Quoting Sources
There is an entire category of material that you do not reproduce . . . Read More
How do I cite an excerpt from an anthology?
To cite an excerpt from an anthology, follow the MLA format template. You will likely list a description in place of a title: De Quincey, Thomas. Read More
How do I cite quotations that are on nonconsecutive pages?
Nonconsecutive page numbers are presented in the same order as the quotations to which they refer: As Ann Smith notes, some scholars contend that “the… Read More
Can I use brackets to change the tense of a verb so that a quotation will fit syntactically into my sentence?
When a verb in a quotation does not fit syntactically into your sentence, you may use brackets to change the tense: If Charles Dickens were… Read More
In an in-text citation, how do I shorten a title that appears in quotation marks when it starts with a title in quotation marks?
If you need to shorten a title within quotation marks that begins with a title in quotation marks, use the title within the title as… Read More
Is it acceptable to begin an essay with a block quotation?
Yes, an essay may start with a block quotation. The quotation should be important to your discussion and referred to in your prose. This distinguishes it… Read More