How to format direct quotations in APA 7 Style

Before copying a source's words

A direct quotation reproduces a word, sentence, or passage exactly as it appears in another work. Use one when the original wording matters, such as when presenting a precise definition, analyzing someone's language, or discussing a particularly concise statement.

In most cases, it is better to paraphrase and cite the idea. A paraphrase lets you integrate the source into your own argument. A series of quotations can hide your voice and leave readers unsure how you interpret the evidence.

Copying the words and adding only a surname is not enough. You must distinguish the passage with quotation marks or block formatting and provide an author, year, and locator that helps readers find it.

All names, works, and details in this guide's examples are illustrative.

What a direct quotation must include

Every direct quotation needs:

1. Author: the person or organization responsible for the work.
2. Year: the year that appears in the reference.
3. Locator: the page or exact place where the passage begins.

Use p. for one page and pp. for several:

• One page: (Navarro, 2023, p. 18)
• Consecutive pages: (Navarro, 2023, pp. 18–19)
• Discontinuous pages: (Navarro, 2023, pp. 18, 24)

The work's full reference must also appear in the reference list.

Quotations of fewer than 40 words

A quotation of fewer than 40 words is incorporated into the sentence and enclosed in double quotation marks. The complete citation must appear in the same sentence as the quotation.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024).

Preparing an outline helps because “each section has a clear purpose before the first draft begins” (Navarro, 2023, p. 18).

Place the sentence-ending period after the citation's closing parenthesis.

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024).

Navarro (2023) explains that “each section has a clear purpose before the first draft begins” (p. 18).

Because the author and year already appear in the sentence, the final parentheses contain only the page.

The quotation comes before the author:

“Each section has a clear purpose before the first draft begins,” Navarro (2023, p. 18) explains.

In this form, keep the year and page together after the surname.

Quotations of 40 words or more

A quotation of 40 words or more is presented as a block quotation:

• begin it on a new line;
• indent the whole block 0.5 in. from the left margin;
• double-space the complete block;
• do not use quotation marks;
• do not add extra space before or after the block.

When the quotation contains more than one paragraph, indent the first line of every paragraph after the first by an additional 0.5 in.

Parenthetical citation example

Introduce the passage in your own words. Then write the block and place the citation after the final punctuation:

Block quotation example:

Planning a paper does not mean deciding every sentence before writing. A plan helps identify the purpose, organize the evidence, and anticipate readers' questions. During drafting, that plan may change when new relationships emerge among sources or when an explanation needs more development. (Navarro, 2023, p. 74)

Do not add another period after the closing parenthesis.

Narrative citation example

Introduce the author and year before the block. Include only the page at the end:

Navarro (2023) explains how a plan can change during writing:

Block quotation example:

Planning a paper does not mean deciding every sentence before writing. A plan helps identify the purpose, organize the evidence, and anticipate readers' questions. During drafting, that plan may change when new relationships emerge among sources or when an explanation needs more development. (p. 74)

What to use when a source has no page numbers

A webpage, video, podcast, or some ebooks may not provide page numbers. Choose the locator that will best help readers find the passage:

Source	Useful locator	Example
Text with paragraphs	Paragraph number	(Mora, 2024, para. 6)
Page with headings	Section name	(Mora, 2024, Preparing the Draft section)
Long page	Section and paragraph	(Mora, 2024, Preparing the Draft section, para. 6)
Video, audio, or audiobook	Time stamp where the quotation begins	(Luna, 2022, 12:38)
Presentation	Slide number	(Rojas, 2023, Slide 14)

You may count paragraphs manually when the source does not number them. If a heading is too long, shorten it inside quotation marks while retaining the words readers need to recognize it.

Do not use Kindle location numbers because they can change across devices. Use the edition's page number when available or provide a heading and paragraph number.

How to change a quotation without hiding the change

A direct quotation must preserve the source's wording, spelling, and internal punctuation. Some adjustments can integrate it into your sentence without changing its meaning:

• You may change the capitalization of the first letter.
• You may adjust the final punctuation when your sentence requires it and the meaning does not change.
• You may switch single and double quotation marks when a quotation contains quoted material.

Other changes must remain visible.

Omitting words

Use an ellipsis to show that you removed words from inside the passage. Do not add one at the beginning or end merely to show that the original sentence continues.

Navarro (2023) explains that “a plan helps identify the purpose . . . and anticipate readers' questions” (p. 74).

Adding a clarification

Place any words you add for clarity inside square brackets.

Navarro (2023) notes that “that [writing] plan may change when new relationships emerge among sources” (p. 74).

Adding emphasis

Italicize the words you want to emphasize and add [emphasis added] immediately afterward.

Navarro (2023) states that the plan “may change [emphasis added] when new relationships emerge among sources” (p. 74).

When the source contains an error that could confuse readers, consider paraphrasing. If retaining the error is essential, add [*sic*] immediately after it to show that it appeared in the original.

A citation does not replace copyright permission. Very long passages and excerpts from short works, such as poems or songs, may require permission even when they are cited correctly.

Research participants and epigraphs

Words from participants interviewed as part of your own study still use quotation marks or block formatting according to their length, but they do not receive an author-date citation or reference entry. Identify the passage as a participant quotation and protect the identity established for the study.

An epigraph also reproduces exact words, but it appears before the text to introduce its theme and follows its own presentation. The guide to interviews, participants, and personal communications explains both cases and when a work belongs in the reference list.

How to introduce and explain a quotation

A quotation should not stand alone. The paragraph needs three moves:

1. Introduce the idea or explain why the passage matters.
2. Present the quotation with its locator.
3. Interpret the passage and connect it to your argument.

A plan is not a permanent restriction. Navarro (2023) explains that it “may change when new relationships emerge among sources” (p. 74). This flexibility allows the structure to change when the evidence reshapes the original explanation.

The final sentence shows why the quotation was used. Without that explanation, readers would have to guess how it relates to the argument.

Checklist

Before submitting your paper, check that:

• you copied the source's words accurately;
• you used quotation marks only for quotations of fewer than 40 words;
• you presented quotations of 40 words or more as indented blocks;
• you included an author, year, and page or another locator;
• you placed punctuation correctly;
• you marked omissions, insertions, and added emphasis;
• you introduced and explained each passage instead of leaving it isolated;
• you included the work in the reference list.