A block quotation (also called a long quotation) is a quotation that is set apart from the main text of the document so that it is easily distinguished from the rest of the document. It can be a little tricky to know when and how it is acceptable to use block quotes so here are a few tips to make it easier.
Instructions
- It is up to you to decide whether you will hand-write your document with pen and paper or if you will type it; typing is definitely easier but most of the formatting guidelines for block quoting applies only to type-written documents for example, there are no strict rules about how block quotes should be indented in hand-written documents. So writing by hand would mean that there are fewer rules and guidelines to remember but for now let’s assume that the document is being type-written.
- In general block quotes are used if the text is at least 4 lines or 100 words in length; it is sometimes used for shorter text but that is unacceptable for some formatting styles such as the MLA format, so check your formatting guide to see what is acceptable for the formatting style that you are using.
- Block quotes are often a different colour from the main text of the document or placed in a shadow box so it is easily distinguished. The font size or type is also changed to set it apart from the main text.
The sentence leading up to a block quote typically ends with a colon or a period as in the following example.
According to reliable sources, Little Miss Muffet said:
Birds of a feather flock together,
and so will pigs and swine;
rats and mice will have their choice,
and so will I have mine.
If the sentence before the block quote ends with a colon or period, then the block quote begins with a capital letter; however there are cases where the block quote is a continuation of an incomplete sentence in which case a comma is used instead of a colon or period and the block quote begins with a common letter, as is seen in the following example.
It is reported that Little Miss Muffet,
Said that birds of a feather flock together,
and so will pigs and swine;
rats and mice will have their choice,
and so will I have mine.
Tips and Warnings
- Quotation marks are not necessary to open and close block quotes as the text is already set apart as a quotation. However if there is a quotation within the block quote, double quotation marks are placed around them.
- Although 10 spaces is the average indentation for block quotes, if paragraphs in the main text are already indented 10 spaces then block quotes must be indented 15 spaces; it is not acceptable to have block quotes aligned with the main text, the block quotes must be further in.
About Author: Mike is content builder of http://www.19216811.net
