Both MLA and APA format recommend indenting paragraphs by half an inch from the left margin. This indentation applies only to the first sentence of the paragraph. The entirety of the paragraph should not be indented.
Both MLA and APA format also recommend an indentation of half an inch for references, also known as a hanging indent. Indent only the first line of each reference entry by half an inch. Do not indent the entry beyond the first line.
For block quotes, or a quote that is longer than four lines of text, MLA guidelines require a one inch indentation. Start the quote on a new line, and indent the entire quote by one inch from the left margin.
APA format slightly differs from MLA format on block quote indentation. For APA, indent block quotes by half an inch from the left margin. Again, start the quote on a new line but indent the entire quote by only half an inch.