APA Fact of the Week: Quotation Marks

In text: Use double quotation marks to enclose quotations.  Use single quotation marks to set off quotes within quotes.

Correct: Smith stated, “Benin wrote ‘the limit does not exist’ when referring to this equation” (p. 9).

Incorrect: Smith stated, “Benin wrote “the limit does not exist” when referring to this equation” (p. 9).

In block quotations (any quotations of 40 or more words): Do not use quotation marks to enclose block quotations.  Use double quotation marks to set off quotes within block quotations.

With punctuation: Place periods and commas within closing quotation marks.  Place other punctuation inside quotation marks only when they are part of the quoted material. (APA6, 4.08).