652+Block Quotes in APA: A Complete Guide
Understanding how to use block quotes in APA format is essential for students, researchers, and academic writers who need to present lengthy quotations clearly and professionally.
Whether you’re referencing a long passage from a book, journal, or article, APA guidelines offer structured formatting rules to ensure consistency and credibility in your writing.
This guide covers everything—from when to use block quotes to how to format and cite them correctly according to APA 7th edition standards.
With helpful examples and visual cues, you’ll master block quoting like a pro and avoid the common pitfalls that lead to formatting errors.
How to Do Block Quotes APA
🔹 Use block quotes for quotations of 40 words or more
🔹 Start on a new line and indent the entire quote 0.5 inches
🔹 Do not use quotation marks around the block quote
🔹 Maintain double-spacing throughout the block quote
🔹 Include the author’s last name, year, and page number in parentheses after the quote
🔹 Use a colon to introduce the quote after a complete sentence
🔹 Do not add any extra spacing before or after the block quote
🔹 Maintain the punctuation as it appears in the original text
🔹 If quoting multiple paragraphs, indent the first line of each paragraph an extra 0.5 inches
🔹 Ensure clarity by introducing the block quote with your own words
🔹 Avoid starting a paragraph with a block quote
🔹 Never use italics unless they appear in the original source
🔹 Place the period at the end of the quote, before the in-text citation
🔹 Do not include citation within the quote itself
🔹 Keep it relevant to the point you’re making
When to Use Block Quotes APA
📘 When quoting a passage that is 40 words or longer
📘 When the quote is essential to your argument
📘 When paraphrasing would lose the original meaning
📘 When discussing the quote in detail afterward
📘 When quoting interview transcripts
📘 When quoting from legal or historical documents
📘 When emphasizing a definition or principle
📘 When comparing two long quotes
📘 When your professor or publisher specifically requests it
📘 When quoting technical or complex language
📘 When using direct speech from participants in qualitative studies
📘 When preserving the style of the original author is important
📘 When citing from a poem or play in a research paper
📘 When using blocks in literature reviews or theoretical analysis
📘 When breaking up your writing for better readability
Block Quotes APA 7th Edition
📚 Apply block quote rules to 40+ word passages
📚 Indent the quote 0.5 inches from the left margin
📚 Do not use quotation marks
📚 Maintain original punctuation and spelling
📚 Double-space all lines
📚 Cite author, year, and page number after the punctuation
📚 Introduce the quote with your own sentence and a colon
📚 If quoting dialogue, use separate paragraphs
📚 Italicize only if the original source does
📚 Include ellipses for omitted content
📚 Do not change the font style or size
📚 Ensure proper alignment with rest of the paper
📚 Always start the block quote on a new line
📚 Use consistent formatting throughout the document
📚 Remember that APA 7 focuses on clarity and readability
Block Quotes APA Format
📝 Begin with a lead-in sentence
📝 Insert a colon before the quote
📝 Start the quote on a new line
📝 Indent the quote 0.5 inches from the left
📝 Keep double-spacing
📝 Avoid quotation marks
📝 Cite at the end of the quote
📝 Period goes before the in-text citation
📝 Maintain the original text’s formatting
📝 Continue your analysis after the quote
📝 Avoid overusing block quotes
📝 Keep the quote relevant
📝 Only use when absolutely necessary
📝 Separate clearly from your own text
📝 Make it flow naturally in your writing
How to Cite Block Quotes APA
📎 Place citation after final punctuation
📎 Format: (Author, Year, p. Page Number)
📎 Do not include citation inside the quote
📎 Cite every time you use a block quote
📎 Use correct capitalization in names
📎 Double-check source page numbers
📎 Italics only if the source has it
📎 Include full reference in the bibliography
📎 For online sources, include paragraph number if no page
📎 Use et al. for more than three authors
📎 Do not add citation in the introduction sentence
📎 Ensure citation matches the source exactly
📎 Use consistent citation style
📎 Use proper punctuation and spacing
📎 Do not abbreviate source names
How to Format Block Quotes APA
📄 Start a new line for the quote
📄 Indent 0.5 inches from the left margin
📄 Do not use quotation marks
📄 Double-space all lines
📄 Keep font and font size consistent
📄 Maintain original spelling and punctuation
📄 Add citation after the punctuation
📄 Do not italicize unless original text is italicized
📄 Use consistent line spacing
📄 Do not add extra spacing above or below
📄 Align text to the left margin
📄 Indent first line more if multiple paragraphs
📄 Introduce clearly with a complete sentence
📄 Avoid using block quotes excessively
📄 Make sure formatting is APA 7 compliant
Block Quotes APA 7
📘 Use for 40+ word direct quotes
📘 Omit quotation marks
📘 Indent the quote 0.5 inches
📘 Start on a new line
📘 Double-space all text
📘 Cite the source after punctuation
📘 Use full name and year on first mention
📘 Use author-date-page citation style
📘 Do not bold or underline
📘 Include quote in the context of your argument
📘 Don’t let the quote stand alone without analysis
📘 Avoid back-to-back block quotes
📘 Clarify why you used the quote
📘 Follow up with explanation or interpretation
📘 Proofread for formatting issues
Introducing Block Quotes APA
💬 Use a full sentence introduction
💬 End the intro with a colon
💬 Ensure the quote relates directly to your sentence
💬 Avoid vague introductions like “This quote shows…”
💬 Provide context before the quote
💬 Make your introduction grammatically correct
💬 Clarify who is being quoted
💬 Keep your intro concise and focused
💬 Avoid using phrases like “As the author says…”
💬 Mention the author’s name naturally
💬 Lead the reader into the quote smoothly
💬 Match tone and topic of your essay
💬 Create flow between your text and quote
💬 Keep it academically appropriate
💬 Provide interpretation after the quote
Long Block Quotes APA
📏 Only use when absolutely necessary
📏 Must be over 40 words
📏 Break into paragraphs if needed
📏 Indent each paragraph’s first line 0.5 inches more
📏 Keep entire block indented from left margin
📏 Don’t use quotation marks
📏 Maintain original structure of the quote
📏 Cite appropriately after the punctuation
📏 Avoid excessive quoting in papers
📏 Analyze the quote afterward
📏 Use sparingly to support your argument
📏 Do not let it dominate your content
📏 Clarify complex texts with long quotes
📏 Format consistently with APA 7 guidelines
📏 Introduce with full sentence and colon
📏 Keep logical flow between paragraphs
Conclusion
Mastering block quotes in APA enhances the professionalism and credibility of your academic writing. From formatting and citation to usage and introduction, adhering to APA 7th edition standards ensures that long quotations are both readable and relevant. By following these clear, structured rules and incorporating quotes with purpose, you’ll strengthen your arguments and avoid common formatting mistakes.
