INTEGRATING OR ATTRIBUTING QUOTATIONS IN MLA FORMAT
Always integrate or embed quotations smoothly into the context of your own words--whether working on an essay or a research paper, whether with primary or secondary
sources. You may do this in any number of ways, each of which carries its own
punctuation and other conventions. One crucial convention of attributing quotations
concerns verb use:

Active verbs used in present tense aid greatly in fostering the smooth integration
of quotations to their proper source. Helpful verbs for attributing or integrating
quotes include, but are not limited to the following: states, claims, argues, notes,
cites, suggests, reports, shows, speculates, observes, comments, disagrees,
maintains, contends, explains, denies, considers, explores, illustrates, concludes,
implies, defends. . . .

According to MLA, if the quotation is less than four or more lines, you may
integrate it into your own text, without indenting, blocking, or setting it off.

A complete sentence, naming the author, utilizing an active verb in present tense
and followed by a colon, therefore, is one method of integrating a quotation that
takes the form of a complete sentence and yet is less than four or more lines:
Throughout his essay, Bronson emphasizes the distinct nature of the elves as
conceived by Tolkien: “In Galadriel we see both the blessing and the curse of
Tolkien’s elves” (82).

ALTERNATIVELY, the author may be cited in the parenthetical reference at the
end of the sentence, rather than in a signal phrase within the sentence itself:
Contemporary critics point out the distinct nature of the elves as conceived by
Tolkien: “In Galadriel we see both the blessing and the curse of Tolkien’s
elves” (Bronson 82).
Note that it is not necessary to insert a COMMA or any other form of
PUNCTUATION between the author’s name and the page number. Note also that the
PERIOD comes after the parenthetical reference, rather than before (as it does when
the quotation is blocked off).

Using a short expression or signal phrase such as “According to,” followed by the
author’s name, is another way to smoothly attribute and properly integrate full
sentence quotations:
According to Bronson, “In Galadriel we see both the blessing and the curse
of Tolkien’s elves” (82).

“According to” and similar expressions foster smooth integration of short
authorial phrases as well:
As Bronson suggests, Galadriel exemplifies “both the blessing and the
curse” of Tolkien’s portrayal of the elves (82).

Breaking a quotation somewhere in the middle with an active verb-- once again,
used in present tense--is yet another way to smoothly integrate/attribute an
author’s words within the context of your own writing:
“In Galadriel,” Bronson asserts, “we see both the blessing and the curse of
Tolkien’s elves” (82).

In general, it is a good rule not to PERMIT QUOTATIONS TO STAND
ALONE; in other words, a quotation should not be included in a paper in this
manner:
Contemporary critics point out the distinct nature of the elves as conceived by
.
Tolkien
“In Galadriel we see both the blessing and the curse of Tolkien’s
elves” (Bronson 82).

Even though a ‘lead-in’ is correctly present, and even though the author is
correctly cited in the parenthetical reference at the end of the quotation, this quote
is not correctly embedded in the sense that there is no COLON or other
method of linkage used in the ‘lead-in’ sentence. In other words, a period is not
normally enough to embed or integrate a quote.

If the quotation is four or more lines, a very different set of conventions apply
in MLA FORMAT:
The quotation is set off: It begins on a new line and is indented one inch
or ten spaces. The quotation does not require the use of quotations
marks. The period comes after the sentence, not after the parenthetical
reference.
Bronson suggests that Tolkien’s portrait of the elves is a very distinctive one:
In Galadriel we see both the blessing and the curse of Tolkien’s elves. They are
given unnaturally long lives by the gods, and because they can live for thousands
of years, it is exceedingly difficult for them to forget anything. Elves only die if
they are slain in battle or otherwise mortally injured. . . . . (Bronson 82)
With a little extra care, it is easy to attribute sources correctly! Of course, APA, Chicago,
and CBE all have their own styles sheets, so make sure to check the preferred style before
you begin working with on a paper with a student.