Citing dialogue can be a challenging part of the academic writing process, but it is essential for ensuring that your work is up to academic standards. If you are writing a paper or essay in Modern Language Association (MLA) format, knowing how to properly cite dialogue is vital. In this article, we will walk you through the process of citing dialogue in MLA format.

1. Understand the Basics of In-Text Citations

In MLA format, the most common way to cite dialogue is through parenthetical citations. These citations include the author’s last name and the page number where the dialogue can be found, enclosed within parentheses and placed at the end of the quote or immediately after it.

For example:

“The sun always shines on TV,” he said (Smith 12).

2. Differentiating Between Characters

When citing dialogue involving two or more characters, each character’s speech is treated as an individual citation. The first speaker’s dialogue should be followed by a comma, enclosed in double quotation marks and a parenthetical citation. The other speakers’ dialogues should follow subsequently.

For example:

“But he was still hungry,” sighed Susan, “I guess we’ll have to get some takeout instead” (Johnson 24).

3. Formatting Block Quotes for Lengthy Dialogue

If a quoted dialogue spans over four lines in your paper, it is considered a long quote or block quote according to MLA guidelines. In this case, you should not use quotation marks. Instead, start a new line and indent each line of dialogue one inch from the left margin. The parenthetical citation should appear at the end of the last line of dialogue.

For example:

The exchange between characters was intense:

It became clear that John wasn’t going to back down anytime soon.

“You don’t understand,” he said forcefully.

Sarah countered with a firm “No, you don’t get it. You never have!” (Martin 45).

4. Citing Dialogue from Literary Works

In some cases, like in dramas or plays, specific line numbers are used instead of page numbers for citations. In this case, first include the author’s last name, then indicate the act, scene and line numbers separated by periods.

For example:

Hamlet urges Ophelia to “Get thee to a nunnery” (Shakespeare 3.1.121).

5. Citing Dialogue from Audio or Visual Media

When citing dialogue from films, TV shows or other visual media, use the title of the work in italics and the timestamp at which the dialogue occurs in your parenthetical citation.

For example:

As Darth Vader reveals his true identity to Luke Skywalker, he says, “I am your father” (Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back 01:10:25).

In conclusion, understanding how to properly cite dialogue in MLA format is essential for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism in your writing. Following these steps will help you accurately and effectively incorporate cited dialogue into your paper and demonstrate your research skills.