Block Quotes
What are they?
Block quotes are an elegant way of quoting larger sections of text.
When should I use one?
Different people have different rules, but here's how I was taught: if a quotation has more than forty words, I put it in blocks. I don't count them myself, because I'm too lazy. I highlight the quote and check the word processor's word count. You can find Google Drive's word count under TOOLS.
Block quotes are great in longer essays. In short essays of a few pages, one block quote might be effective, but you're pushing it a bit. You still want a good balance between your quotations and your own writing. If it looks like your essay is just a series of huge, loosely-tied-together quotations, you're probably in trouble.
Block quotes are particularly effective if you intend to spend some time analyzing a particular bit of writing in detail. If this is the case, your analysis should specifically refer to sections of the quote.
I also like to use block quotes to introduce a new section of a longer essay. They can be very effective attention-getters.
Block quotes are great in longer essays. In short essays of a few pages, one block quote might be effective, but you're pushing it a bit. You still want a good balance between your quotations and your own writing. If it looks like your essay is just a series of huge, loosely-tied-together quotations, you're probably in trouble.
Block quotes are particularly effective if you intend to spend some time analyzing a particular bit of writing in detail. If this is the case, your analysis should specifically refer to sections of the quote.
I also like to use block quotes to introduce a new section of a longer essay. They can be very effective attention-getters.
What do they look like?
Again, different folks have different rules, but here's the way I like 'em:
Check out this sample. You'll have to scroll down a bit to see the first block quote.
The idea here is that you are making the block quote look completely separate from the essay. By following the above steps, it will be abundantly clear to the reader where the quotation starts and stops.
- Single-space the quotation
- Indent the entire quotation
- Do not add any quotation marks that weren't in the original piece
- add white space before and after the quote by hitting Enter (this last one is a little controversial, as it wastes a little space, but I think it looks better)
- Cite as you normally would at the end of the quote
Check out this sample. You'll have to scroll down a bit to see the first block quote.
The idea here is that you are making the block quote look completely separate from the essay. By following the above steps, it will be abundantly clear to the reader where the quotation starts and stops.