Yes, you can quote a whole paragraph, especially if it's under 40 words and fits within standard citation guidelines (like APA), but for longer passages (40+ words), use a block quote (indented, no quotation marks) and always cite properly; however, overuse of long quotes is discouraged, favoring paraphrasing or summarizing for better flow and to show critical thinking.
If you cite a paragraph verbatim from another source, put it in quotation marks or in a quotation block and add one reference to the source at the end.
Quotes should be used sparingly as over-quoting can suggest a lack of understanding of the text you are referring to. In scientific writing, you are generally expected to paraphrase from sources, rather than quote directly.
APA Format: Block Quotations (7th Edition)
Begin with a signal phrase that introduces the quote, then on a new line with a ½ inch indent from the left, add your quotation. Each line additional line of the block is indented ½ inch from the left. Maintain double spacing for the whole quote.
A new direct quote in the conclusion is acceptable if it's short, directly relevant, properly cited, and immediately interpreted. Prefer concluding in your own words and use quotation as a final emphasis rather than the core of your closure.
A minimum of 3 written Quotations must be sought from competitive sources*. The quotes must be based on the same specification and evaluated on a like for like basis. A documented record of the quotes sought, the evaluation process and the decision to award must be recorded.
Stating the quotation's relevance completes the argument and shows the reader that you have completed your thought. You should never end a paragraph with a quotation without explaining its significance to your argument.
10 Common Citation Mistakes (and How to Ensure You Avoid Them)
To present information from other sources in academic writing, it's best to paraphrase in most cases. This shows that you've understood the ideas you're discussing and incorporates them into your text smoothly. It's appropriate to quote when: Changing the phrasing would distort the meaning of the original text.
Use double quotation marks (" ") to enclose phrases or entire sentences that were taken word for word from someone else. Quotation marks are not needed for paraphrasing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Direct Quotes
Not including an in-text citation after a quote (ex: "quoted sentence (Smith 210-211)) Putting quotes around words that do not exactly match the original text--did you know that if you change any word in a direct quote, you must use brackets ( [ ] ) around the changed work?
What you don't need to cite
If you would like to skip part of a quotation to save space or eliminate unnecessary text, you can use an ellipsis. An ellipsis is three dots (. . . ) preceded and followed by a space as in the following examples. An ellipsis can be used in both MLA and APA citation styles.
Generally, it is not recommended to use too many quotes, because extensive quoting gives the impression that you don't understand your source enough to put it in your own words and that you cannot contribute any of your own thoughts.
almost 44% of all published manuscripts are never cited. If you have even 1 citations for a manuscript you are already (almost!) in the top half (top 55.8%). With 10 or more citations, your work is now in the top 24% of the most cited work worldwide; this increased to the top 1.8% as you reach 100 or more citations.
You Do Not Need to Cite When
You use your own artwork, digital photographs, video, audio, etc. You are using "common knowledge," things like folklore, common sense observations, myths, urban legends, and historical events (but not historical documents)
Improper paraphrasing is a very common form of plagiarism. This occurs when one lifts a direct phrase from another work and changes just a few words - and then claims the work as wholly their own. Learning how to properly paraphrase is a very important component of good writing.
We now detect likely AI -generated text even if it may have been paraphrased using an AI word spinner. Our AI paraphrasing detection is incorporated into our AI writing detection capability and does not require any change to your settings.
1 To quote a source directly or indirectly
Direct quotes use the exact words from a source and require quotation marks. Indirect quotes restate or paraphrase those words or ideas and don't require quotation marks. Use quotation marks to indicate a direct quote or passage copied verbatim from another source.
Put quotation marks at the beginning and end of the copied text. Add an in-text citation at the end of the quoted text (outside the quotation mark). Write (in your own words) to give context or introduce the quoted text. Add the sentence with your own words, the quote, and the in-text citation to your paper.
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein Einstein's words remind us that mistakes are not failures — they are proof that you dared to step outside your comfort zone. Every innovation, every breakthrough, every great achievement comes with risk, trial, and error.
Most Common Writing Mistakes
Long quotations
Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin.
What to avoid in your conclusion
A dangling quote (aka floating, dropped, or hanging quote) is the use of a direct quote in a piece of writing (e.g. research paper) without an introduction or explanation. It is dropped into the sentence. A unified piece of writing would merge the quote into the paragraph with an introduction.