When writing an essay, research paper, or article with a long quotation, it’s critical to format it correctly. We’ll show you how to make a block quote in Google Docs in three different ways.
A block quote in your document is a quotation that is indented and starts on its line to set it apart from the rest of the text. This draws attention to the quote and sets it apart from the rest of the document.
Quotes in Blocks for Different Writing Styles
- The requirements for block quotes are similar in the MLA and APA writing styles. The Chicago style, on the other hand, has its own set of rules.
- More than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, indented 0.5 inch from the left margin, no quotation marks, and double-spaced
- APA style requires 40 words or more, indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, no quotation marks, double-spacing, and no line spaces above or below the quote.
- Five or more lines or 100 or more words should be indented from the left margin, with no quotation marks and single-spacing.
Check other requirements for block quotes or your paper in general if you’re required to use one of these writing styles. Consult your professor or the Purdue Online Writing Lab for assistance (OWL).
Make sure to select the text before using one of the methods below to create your block quote. This quotation should begin on its own line, and any subsequent text should begin on a new line as well.
Option 1 is to use a block quote. How to Use an Indent
You can use a built-in tool in Google Docs to indent paragraphs for your block quote.
Increase indent by clicking the Increase Indent button in the toolbar or selecting Format > Align & Indent > Increase Indent from the menu while the text is selected.
Create a Block Quote as a second option. Making Use of the Ruler
If you use Google Docs’ Ruler for things like adjusting margins, you can also use it to indent your block quote. Go to View > Show Ruler from the menu to see the Ruler.
On the left side of the ruler, select the Left Indent indicator. The triangle below the rectangle is this. To get to 0.5 inches, drag the indicator to the right. As you drag, you’ll notice this. When you’ve arrived at that point, let go.
Option 3: Use the Tab Key to Insert a Block Quote
You can use the Tab key to indent your quote if you’re using Google Docs’ default tab stops or have one set up for 0.5 inches from the margin.
Once again, select the entire block of quote text, then press Tab.
Not every aspect of your document’s formatting is a major undertaking. If you need to insert a block quote in Google Docs, make sure it’s formatted correctly. Using these methods only takes a few seconds.