Malcolm Rivera
When using the SBL citation style, it is important to understand the guidelines for block quotations to ensure proper formatting. Block quotations are used for longer quotes and are set off from the surrounding text by variations in typeface, type size, or indentation. While there are no strict rules, block quotations typically follow specific conventions to distinguish them from regular quotations. This includes not using quotation marks, indenting the quoted material, and adding extra space before and after the quotation. In SBL style, block quotations are single-spaced, with a blank line above and below, and indented by half an inch from the left margin. These stylistic choices ensure that the block quotation is visually distinct, easy to read, and appropriately formatted for the specific writing task.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum Length | 5 or more lines of prose, 100+ words of prose, or 4 or more lines of poetry |
| Quotation Marks | Not used |
| Indentation | 1/2 inch from the left margin, sometimes also indented from the right margin |
| Line Spacing | Single-spaced, with a blank line before and after |
| Typeface | Often italic vs. roman, sometimes smaller than the surrounding text |
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What You'll Learn
- SBL block quotations are single-spaced with a blank line before and after
- Quotations of 5+ lines/100+ words of prose or 4+ lines of poetry require block formatting
- Block quotations are indented and do not use quotation marks
- SBL Press discourages block quotes within footnotes
- Block quotes are distinguished from surrounding text by typeface, type size, or indentation
SBL block quotations are single-spaced with a blank line before and after
When it comes to block quotations in SBL, there are specific formatting guidelines to follow. Firstly, it's important to understand when to use a block quotation. In SBL, a block quotation is typically used for quotations of 5 or more lines, or 100 or more words of prose, or 4 or more lines of poetry. Once you have identified that your quotation meets these criteria, you can apply the appropriate formatting.
SBL block quotations are single-spaced, and a blank line should appear both before and after the quotation to set it apart from the surrounding text. This is a standard convention for block quotations in various styles, including Chicago Manual Style and Turabian. Additionally, block quotations in SBL are indented, typically by about half an inch (or 1/2 to 1 inch, or 1 to 2 cm, depending on the publication's specifications).
The indentation and the blank lines before and after the block quotation serve to visually distinguish it from the rest of the text. This is a common feature of block quotations in typesetting, where they can also be distinguished by variations in typeface, type size, or a combination of these methods. SBL Press also formats block quotations in a font size smaller than the surrounding text.
It's worth noting that while SBL has specific guidelines for block quotations, there is flexibility in the exact formatting, especially when it comes to the method of publication and the typeface being used. For example, some writers may also indent block quotations from the right margin. Ultimately, as long as the block quotation is visually distinct and follows the basic SBL guidelines, there is room for minor variations in the exact presentation.
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Quotations of 5+ lines/100+ words of prose or 4+ lines of poetry require block formatting
When it comes to formatting quotations in SBL style, specific guidelines must be followed for quotations of 5 or more lines of prose or 4 or more lines of poetry. These longer quotations require what is known as "block formatting".
Block quotations are visually distinct from the surrounding text and are set off by extra space above and below the quoted material. In SBL style, a line space is added before and after the block quotation, and the text is indented on both the left and right margins. The block quotation is also formatted in a font size smaller than the surrounding text.
When using block formatting, quotation marks are typically not used to enclose the quoted material. Instead, the indentation and spacing serve to distinguish the block quotation from the rest of the text. However, if there are quotations within the block quotation, these should be enclosed in quotation marks.
It is important to note that block quotations are single-spaced in SBL style, in contrast to other styles that recommend double-spacing. Additionally, the indentation for a block quotation is generally recommended to be about half an inch or a measurement of distance, such as 1 cm, if using word processing or electronic publishing applications.
By following these guidelines for block formatting in SBL style, writers can effectively incorporate longer quotations into their work while adhering to the stylistic preferences of SBL Press.
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Block quotations are indented and do not use quotation marks
Block quotations are a way to visually distinguish a quoted passage of text from the surrounding text. In SBL style, block quotations are generally single-spaced and indented, with a blank line before and after the quoted material. They do not use quotation marks.
Block quotations are used when a quote exceeds a certain length. In SBL style, this means a quotation of 5 or more lines or 100+ words of prose, or 4 or more lines of poetry. When a quote meets these length criteria, it must be formatted as a block quote.
The specific format of block quotations may be dictated by the method of publication, such as handwritten text, typewritten pages, or electronic publishing, as well as the typeface being used. In SBL style, block quotations are generally single-spaced, but some sources recommend double-spacing. It is important to check with the publisher or instructor about their specific preferences for block quotations before submitting a manuscript or paper.
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SBL Press discourages block quotes within footnotes
SBL Press discourages the use of block quotes within footnotes. This is because the standard formatting of block quotations, which includes a line space before and after, indentation on both sides, and a smaller font size, would result in wasted space and a very small font size for the text within the footnote. Instead, SBL Press recommends running all quotations, regardless of length, into the surrounding text, setting them off with quotation marks.
It is important to note that this is simply a preference of SBL Press, and other publishers may have different guidelines. Authors should always check with their publisher before finalizing and submitting a manuscript.
In general, block quotations are used when a direct quote exceeds a certain length, typically around four to five lines or 40 to 100 words, depending on the style guide being used (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago Manual Style). To format a block quote, the quoted material is indented and single- or double-spaced, with no quotation marks used to enclose the quote.
SBL has specific guidelines for formatting footnotes and bibliographical entries, which have been updated since the publication of the SBL manual. When citing a source in an SBL footnote, a superscript number is placed at the end of the block quotation, after the punctuation. Additionally, when citing reference works with authored entries, the author's name should be included in the footnote along with the entry name in quotation marks.
While SBL Press discourages block quotes within footnotes, it is important for authors to be familiar with the specific guidelines and preferences of their chosen style guide, whether it is SBL, APA, MLA, or another style.
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Block quotes are distinguished from surrounding text by typeface, type size, or indentation
Block quotations are distinct from the surrounding text by typeface, type size, or indentation. The specific format may be dictated by the method of publication (e.g. handwritten text, typewritten pages, or electronic publishing) and the typeface being used.
The Chicago Manual of Style (8th edition, 2007) recommends using a block quotation when the cited text is five lines or longer. Other sources set the threshold at four or five lines. The block quotation may also be used to distinguish shorter citations from original text, though this does not follow APA or MLA style guidelines.
In typesetting, block quotations can be visually distinguished from the surrounding text by variations in typeface (often italic vs. roman), type size, or indentation. Often, a combination of these methods is used, but it is not necessary. For instance, a block quotation may be indented from the left margin, with extra space added above and below the quotation, and the text set in a smaller typeface.
In SBL, block quotations are single-spaced but require a blank line before and after the quoted material. The block quotation is indented by half an inch from the left margin and do not use quotation marks.
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Frequently asked questions
A block quotation is a direct quote that is longer than a certain number of words or lines and must be formatted differently from other quotes.
In SBL, a block quotation should be used for a quotation of 5 or more lines or 100 or more words of prose, or 4 or more lines of poetry.
In SBL, block quotations should be single-spaced with a blank line before and after the quotation. The quoted material should be indented by 0.5 inches from the left margin. Quotation marks should not be used.
Block quotations in SBL should be formatted in a font size smaller than the surrounding text.
Yes, block quotations can also be distinguished from the surrounding text by using italics or indentation from the right margin.
