What should a block quote include in most essays?

• A. Indented, without quotation marks, and include analysis.
• B. Quoted exactly as in the source with quotation marks.
• C. Placed in parentheses inside the sentence.
• D. Set as a separate paragraph without indent.

Answer: (A)

Block quotes should be presented as a clearly distinguished unit in your writing: indented from the left margin, presented without quotation marks, and followed by your own analysis. The indentation signals that this is a longer excerpt being quoted, while removing quotation marks avoids duplicating punctuation from the source and keeps the focus on your discussion. After the quote, you explain how it supports your point, interpret its significance, and connect it to your argument so the reader sees the relationship between the evidence and your analysis. This combination—formatted block, then your commentary—helps you integrate source material thoughtfully rather than simply copying text. Other options don’t fit because inline or parenthetical placement is for shorter, within-sentence quotes, quotation marks around a block quote obscure the formatting, and a block quote set as a paragraph without indentation wouldn’t stand out as a distinct quoted passage.