MLA in-text citations are essential for acknowledging sources within your academic writing. They follow the general format of author's last name followed by a page number enclosed in parentheses. This straightforward method allows readers to easily locate the full source information on your Works Cited page.
Understanding MLA In-Text Citations
MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires you to provide concise in-text citations whenever you use information from another source, whether you are directly quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing. The goal is to direct your reader to the specific part of the source you consulted.
The General Format: Author-Page Citation
The most common form of MLA in-text citation involves placing the author's last name and the page number where the information was found in parentheses at the end of the sentence (or clause) containing the borrowed material.
- Structure:
(AuthorLastName PageNumber) - Example: "Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8).
- In this example, "Smith" refers to the author's last name, and "8" refers to page 8 of that source.
Handling Sources Without an Author
Sometimes, a source might not list an individual author (e.g., a website article, an encyclopedia entry). In such cases, you still need to provide an in-text citation.
- Rule: If the author's name is not given, use the first word (or words) of the title.
- Use the full title if it's short, or a shortened version of the title. If the source is an article, essay, or page from a website, enclose the title in quotation marks. If it's a book, play, or periodical, italicize the title.
- Structure:
("Shortened Title" PageNumber)or(ShortenedTitle PageNumber) - Example: The guidelines emphasize clarity ("MLA Handbook" 12).
- Here, "MLA Handbook" represents a shortened title of the source from which the information was taken.
Key Principles for Effective In-Text Citations
To ensure your MLA in-text citations are effective and compliant:
- Placement: Place the parenthetical citation before the punctuation mark that ends the sentence or clause containing the borrowed material.
- Connection to Works Cited: Every in-text citation must correspond to a full entry on your Works Cited page, which provides complete bibliographic information for all sources used.
- Clarity: Always aim for clarity so your reader can easily find the original source material.
Common In-Text Citation Scenarios
Here's a quick reference table summarizing common MLA in-text citation scenarios based on the core rules:
| Scenario | MLA In-Text Citation Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Author and Page Number | (Author's Last Name Page Number) | (Smith 8) |
| No Author, with Page Number | (First Word(s) of Title Page Number) | ("Style Guide" 15) |
| Author Mentioned in Text | (Page Number) | Smith states that... (8). |
By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate sources into your writing while giving proper credit and adhering to MLA style conventions.
