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MLA Documentation Guide

Formatting quotations according to the MLA guidelines

Use the block quotation format for quotations more than four lines long:

• In most cases, use a colon to introduce the quotation.
• Indent the quotation one inch from the left margin.
• Double-space the quotation.
• Do not use quotation marks.

Place the parenthetical citation (author and page number) after the period (or other mark of punctuation) that closes the block quotation.