Quoting sources is essential in academic writing. But do you know how and when to use block quotes? The exact rules for this depend on the referencing system you’re using. However, there are a few general guidelines that can help if you’re unsure what to do, as we will explain in this post.
Block quotes are blocks of quoted text. Yes, sometimes life is that simple. They are typically used when quoting longer passages, as setting long quotations apart from surrounding text ensures they are not mistaken for your own work.
Block quotes should only be used when necessary. If you’re quoting a source at length simply to set out an idea or theory, it’s usually better to paraphrase the original text in your own words (this shows you’ve understood the source).
Quoting at length is most useful when analysing a passage of text or when how something is written is essential to what it means. In both cases, block quotes are used when the exact wording of something is important.
There’s also the question of length. As a rule of thumb, block quotes should only be used for quotations of more than forty words. However, some style guides have specific rules on this:
System
When to Use a Block Quote
APA
Quotes of 40 or more words
MLA
Quotations of four or more lines
Chicago
Quotes of five or more lines
MHRA
Quotes of more than 40 words
Make sure to check your university’s style guide if you need to use a block quote in your work.
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This one also varies depending on the referencing system you’re using. However, most approaches stick to a few basic rules:
Some systems also have rules about the line spacing and punctuation used in block quotes, so make sure to check your style guide for advice if you’re using longer quotes in your work.
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