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In MLA, the first line of the second and subsequent paragraphs of block quotes should be indented by only 0.25”. The guidelines for MLA are very similar to those of APA with a slight difference in the formatting of block quotes. The entries in an APA reference list should have a hanging indent of 0.5”. Standard indentation of 0.5” is applied to block quotations, and if the quote runs to more than one paragraph, you must indent the first line of the second and subsequent paragraphs by a further 0.5”.
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This rule also applies to the abstract, except for the first line, which should be left aligned. In APA, you should indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5” (1.27 cm). Hanging indentation is most often used in works cited lists and bibliographies, as it enables readers to easily scan the list of authors. Hanging: An indent is applied to the second and subsequent lines of each paragraph.
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This provides a visual clue to readers that you’re shifting focus or introducing a new idea.
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