Block Quotes: The Indented Overachievers
So, you've found yourself knee-deep in a research paper or a particularly fancy essay. You're cruising along, quoting left and right, when suddenly, a quote rears its head and looks a little...long. Fear not, young scholar! This is where the majestic block quote swoops in to save the day.
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| When To Use Block Quotes Chicago |
When to Unleash the Block Quote Beast
Let's get one thing straight: block quotes aren't just for show. They serve a purpose. Think of them as the VIP section of your paper. They're reserved for the really important quotes, the ones that are so profound or lengthy that they deserve their own little corner of the page.
Rule of Thumb: If your quote is more than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry, it's block quote territory. But hey, rules are made to be broken (sometimes), so if you've got a shorter quote that's just that good, go ahead and give it the block quote treatment. Your professor might even be impressed by your bold formatting choices.
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
How to Format a Block Quote Like a Boss
Formatting a block quote is actually pretty simple. Just follow these steps:
- Indent the whole thing: Give your quote a little breathing room by indenting it half an inch from the left margin. It's like giving it its own personal space.
- Single-space it: No need to get fancy with double-spacing here. Keep it simple and single-spaced.
- Skip a line: Before and after your block quote, leave a blank line. This helps it stand out like the diva it is.
- Citation: Don't forget to cite your source! Place the citation after the block quote, either as a parenthetical or a footnote.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We've all been there - you're in a rush, you're tired, and suddenly, your block quotes are looking more like drunk poetry than scholarly citations. Let's avoid those embarrassing moments:
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
- Don't use quotation marks: That's the whole point of a block quote - no need for quotation marks.
- Don't indent the first line: The whole block is indented, remember?
- Don't forget the citation: You wouldn't leave your house without your keys, right? Don't leave your block quote without a citation.
How To... Block Quote FAQs
How to know if a quote is long enough for a block quote?
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- Generally, if it's more than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry, it's block quote time.
How to format a block quote in Chicago style?
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
- Indent half an inch, single-space, skip a line before and after, and cite your source.
How to cite a block quote in Chicago style?
- You can use a parenthetical citation after the block quote or a footnote.
How to handle multiple paragraphs in a block quote?
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph, but don't indent the entire block again.
How to use ellipses in a block quote?
- Use ellipses to omit words from the original quote, but make sure it doesn't change the meaning.
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