1. Direct Quotes with Their Own
Quotation Marks
Ms. Montgomery
English 112
Blue Ridge Community College

2. Relevant Learning Objectives
3. With references, write an in-text example
with a direct quotation from fiction, with
dialogue, with MLA-correct punctuation and
parenthetical reference.
4. With references, write a complete and correct
MLA-style Works Cited page referencing the
work(s) used in the above examples.
5. Use present tense in referring to events in and
quotations from works of literature.

3. Reminder of Standards
ANY direct quote of 3 or more words
(excepting people’s names, official titles of
organizations, and similar title/naming phrases)
MUST be enclosed in quotation marks and
include a parenthetical citation.
(Kristenson, 2007)

4. Quoting Dialogue/Quotations
Montresor tells Fortunato, “‘observe the white web-work which
gleams from these cavern walls’” (Poe 1228).
▫ comma after introductory phrase before the quotation
▫ standard quotes signify quoting the author; single quotes signify
quotes that appear in the author’s text
▫ single and standard quotes close in the same place in this text
▫ author’s last name and page number in parenthesis
▫ period after parenthetical citation
Below, just for fun, is a photo of Edgar Allan Poe’s desk.
(The Raven Society, n.d.)

5. Quoting a Mix of Standard-Style Prose
and Dialogue/Quotations
Fortunato does not immediately understand Montresor’s
intentions: “‘You jest,’ he exclaimed, recoiling a few paces.
‘But let us proceed to the Amontillado’” (Poe 1229).
▫ colon after a full sentence introducing a quote
▫ standard quotation marks around ALL of the author’s
words
▫ single quotes only appear where quotation marks
appear in the text
▫ the single and standard quotes close where they need
to, following the text
▫ author’s last name and page number in parenthesis
▫ period after parenthetical citation

6. Works Cited References
Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Cask of Amontillado.” Kristenson, L. (2007). Pile of old books.
1846. Making Literature Matter: An [Photo]. Retrieved from
Anthology for Readers and Writers. 3rd ed.
John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 1226-31. Print. Timeless_Books.jpg
Poe, E. A. (1846, 2006). The cask of
amontillado. In J. Schilb and J. Clifford,
Making literature matter: An anthology
for readers and writers (3rd ed.) (pp. 1226-
1231). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
The Raven Society (n.d.) Poe’s desk. [Photo].
Retrieved from http://www.pics4learning.
com/details.php?img=desk-fp.jpg

7. Works Cited References
Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Cask of Amontillado.” Kristenson, L. (2007). Pile of old books.
1846. Making Literature Matter: An [Photo]. Retrieved from
Anthology for Readers and Writers. 3rd ed.
John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 1226-31. Print. Timeless_Books.jpg
Poe, E. A. (1846, 2006). The cask of
amontillado. In J. Schilb and J. Clifford,
Making literature matter: An anthology
for readers and writers (3rd ed.) (pp. 1226-
1231). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
The Raven Society (n.d.) Poe’s desk. [Photo].
Retrieved from http://www.pics4learning.
com/details.php?img=desk-fp.jpg