Block Quotes: The Indented Overachievers of the Citation World
So, you've stumbled upon the glorious world of academic writing, huh? Welcome to the land of footnotes, bibliographies, and the ever-mysterious block quote. Let's dive in, shall we?
What is a Block Quote, Anyway?
Think of a block quote as the introverted cousin of the regular quote. While regular quotes are all, "Hey, look at this cool thing I found!" block quotes are like, "Shhh, let me whisper this important wisdom in your ear."
In plain English, a block quote is a quotation that's longer than a certain number of lines (usually five). Instead of putting it in quotation marks and disrupting the flow of your text, you indent the whole thing like a little paragraph. It's like giving the quote its own VIP section in your paper.
When to Use a Block Quote
You might be wondering, "Do I really need to use a block quote?" The answer is: maybe. Here are a few scenarios where a block quote might be appropriate:
- When the quote is super long: If you're quoting a whole paragraph or more, a block quote is your friend.
- When the quote is poetry: Poetry gets special treatment. Two or more lines of poetry usually qualify for block quote status.
- When you want to emphasize the quote: Sometimes, you just want to give a quote the spotlight. A block quote can help you do that.
How to Format a Block Quote
Alright, let's get down to business. Here's how to format a block quote Chicago style:
- Indent the whole thing: This is the key to block quote-ness. Indent the entire quote half an inch from the left margin.
- Single-space: Unlike your regular text, block quotes are single-spaced.
- No quotation marks: That's right, no fancy quotation marks needed. The indentation does the talking.
- Citation: Don't forget to cite your source! You can do this with a footnote or a parenthetical citation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let's face it, block quotes can be tricky. Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for:
- Using quotation marks: Remember, no quotation marks! The indentation is your friend.
- Forgetting to indent: This is a rookie mistake. Indent that block quote!
- Overusing block quotes: Just because you can use a block quote doesn't mean you should. Use them sparingly.
How To Questions About Block Quotes
How to know when to use a block quote? Generally, if a quote is longer than five lines of prose or two lines of poetry, it's block quote territory.
How to format a block quote? Indent the entire quote half an inch, single-space it, and skip a line before and after. No quotation marks needed.
How to cite a block quote? You can use a footnote or a parenthetical citation at the end of the block quote.
How to avoid overuse of block quotes? Only use block quotes when necessary. Too many can disrupt the flow of your paper.
How to make a block quote look less intimidating? Break up long block quotes with short explanations or comments to make them easier to read.
There you have it! You're now a block quote expert. Go forth and impress your professors with your impeccable citation skills.