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InsightHorizon Digest

What does a block quote look like in APA

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on April 23, 2026

According to the APA manual, quotations that are 40 words or more are considered block quotations and are formatted differently than regular quotations. … Block quotations start on their own line. The entire block quotation is indented 0.5 inches, the same as the indentation for a new paragraph, and is double spaced.

How do you do a block quote in APA?

Block quotes are used for direct quotations that are longer than 40 words. They should be offset from the main text and do not include quotation marks. Introduce the block quote on a new line. Indent the entire quote ½ inch or 5-7 spaces; the block quote may be single-spaced.

Are block quotes indented on both sides APA?

Unlike quotes integrated into your text, block quotes do not need quotation marks. Indent all lines of the block quote. For APA, indent one-half inch.

How do you block quote in APA 7th edition?

  1. Any quotation containing 40 or more words should be formatted as a Block Quote.
  2. Do not use quotation marks to enclose block quotations. …
  3. Place period at the end of the quote rather than after the citation.
  4. Block quotes should start on a new line and indent the block about ½ inch from the left margin.

How do you block a quote in a text?

For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2 inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing.

What is an offset quote?

The above is an example of an “offset” quote. There are no quotation marks, because it is very long, but it has been indented on the page to show that it is a quotation. When you use quotations in your work, use quotation marks if it is less than four lines, or offset it if it is long.

How do you quote a quote in APA?

  1. List the original author’s last name.
  2. Include the date of publication of the original.
  3. Add ‘as cited in’ then the name of the work.
  4. Follow with the publishing date of the cited work.
  5. List the page the information can be found on.

Are block quotes double spaced in APA 7th?

The block quote should be double spaced. Block quotes can be cited in either a narrative or parenthetical form. The citation information at the end is not considered part of the sentence and comes after the period. Use p.

Does APA in-text citations use quotation marks?

When you quote a source, you include the author’s exact words in your text. Use “quotation marks” around the author’s words. Include signal phrases and an in-text citation to show where the quote is from. When you paraphrase or summarize a source, you restate the source’s ideas in your own words and sentence structure.

How do you do a block quote in APA 6th edition?
  1. Any quotation containing 40 or more words should be formatted as a Block Quote.
  2. Do not use quotation marks to enclose block quotations. …
  3. Place period at the end of the quote rather than after the citation.
  4. Block quotes should start on a new line and indent the block about ½ inch from the left margin.
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Do you italicize block quotes?

The block quotes should always be indented and be started off in a new line. Block quotations can also be formatted in italics for the reader to identify them easily.

Do you indent the paragraph after a block quote APA?

Your text following the block quote should be either (a) indented, if it is a new paragraph, or (b) flush left, if it is a continuation of your paragraph (see Examples 4 and 5 in this PDF).

When should you use a block quote?

The block quote is used for direct quotations that are longer than four lines of prose, or longer than three lines of poetry. A block quote is always used when quoting dialogue between characters, as in a play.

Do you indent paragraphs in APA?

Text paragraphs should be indented 0.5in. (1.27cm) from the left. The tab key can be used for this or you can create automatic formatting in Microsoft Word (do not manually insert spaces). Note: this does not apply to the abstract.

How do you quote a quote example?

How to Quote a Quote. Rule: Use single quotation marks inside double quotation marks when you have a quotation within a quotation. Example: Bobbi told me, “Delia said, ‘This will never work. ‘ ”

How do you format a block quote in Google Docs?

  1. Select the text you’d like to use as a block quote.
  2. Click the Increase indent formatting option.
  3. Drag the blue right margin indicator to the 6-inch mark.
  4. [Option] Set the line spacing to Double for extra emphasis.

How many words is a block quote Bluebook?

Block Quotes According to the Bluebook rules, any quotation that is 50 words or longer must be formatted as a block quote.

Do you italicize or quote speeches?

Use quotation marks around the titles of short poems, song titles, short stories, magazine or newspaper articles, essays, speeches, chapter titles, short films, and episodes of television or radio shows. Do not use quotation marks in indirect or block quotations.

How do you block quote in an essay MLA?

  1. Introduce the quote with a colon and set it on a new line.
  2. Indent the whole quote 0.5 inches from the left margin.
  3. Place the MLA in-text citation after the period at the end of the block quote.

Should quotes be italicized?

No. In MLA style, italics in a quotation are assumed to be in the original unless otherwise indicated.

What format should you use for a quotation of 50 words apa?

Short quotations – Prose quotations of fewer than 50 words should be placed within quotation marks and incorporated into the text (see examples above). Long quotations – Prose quotations of more than 50 words should be presented as a single-spaced block quotation.

How is an APA paper format?

General APA Guidelines Your essay should be typed and double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″), with 1″ margins on all sides. You should use a clear font that is highly readable. APA recommends using 12 pt. … Then type “TITLE OF YOUR PAPER” in the header flush left using all capital letters.

What is APA paragraph format?

Your paragraph text begins a double-spaced line below the heading, with a ½-inch indentation at the start of each paragraph. Indented, bold, lowercase, and ending with a period. Your paragraph text begins two spaces after the period at the end of the heading.

How do you indent in APA format?

Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.