How to Cite a Direct Quotation

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Enclose the quotation using double quotation marks.

   Use this method if you are quoting fewer than 4 lines of prose or 3 lines of verse within your text.
2. 2

   Step 2: Provide the name of the person you are quoting and specific page numbers (if applicable) within the text.

   If the name of the person or page numbers are not used in your sentence, include the person’s last name and/or the pages within two parentheses following the quotation.
   
   If you are quoting verse, include the line numbers.
   
   You will also need to include a complete reference on the Works Cited page of your paper., Place question marks and exclamation points within the quotation marks if they are part of the direct quotation, but place them after the parentheses if they are not.
   
   If you are quoting short section of verse from poetry, indicate line breaks with a slash mark at the end of each line.
   
   Include a space on either side of the slash.
3. 3

   Step 3: Add punctuation marks

4. 4

   Step 4: including commas

5. 5

   Step 5: periods and semicolons after the parenthetical citation.

Detailed Guide

About the Author