FAQ: How do I cite long, block quotations in-text in APA Style?

Citing Block Quotes In-Text

Use block quotes when you are citing an author's exact words and it is 40 or more words.

General Rules

• Indent the block quote five spaces or half an inch from the left margin.
• Do not use quotation marks.
• Double space the quote unless your professor has a rule about single spacing block quotes.
• Do not include any additional lines or spaces before or after the block quote.
• In block quotes, the period goes before the parentheses, not after.

Example

An essay paragraph which has a long direct quote with 40 or more words inserted as a block quote:

Britain is often thought of the ultimate loser of the American Revolution.  However, the truth is not as black and white as is often taught as Conway (2013) concluded:

The War of American Independence, then, defies the neat stereotypes of losers and winners that are usually imposed upon armed conflicts. The nominal loser - Britain - looked in bad shape immediately the conflict closed, but large numbers of its people soon began to appreciate that they had retained many of the benefits of the old imperial relationship with the American colonies but we no longer burdened by the costs. Britain's wider empire, far from beginning a slow but inexorable decline, was within a few years to becoming larger than ever before. (p. 180)

Therefore, even though Britain lost the colonies they did not greatly suffer...

References

Conway, Stephen. (2013). A short history of the American Revolutionary War. I.B.Tauris.

More Information

• APA Guide (Shapiro Library)
• APA Style Blog This link opens in a new window (APA)
• Quotations This link opens in a new window (APA Style)

Disclaimer

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.