MLA In-Text Citations

What iare MLA In-Text Citations? An in-text citation is a brief reference in the body of your work used whenever you use another author’s words, facts, or ideas. All in-text citations will have a complete citation listed alphabetically in the Works Cited page.

 

General Guidelines for Print & Electronic Sources

• References to sources in the text must correspond to the source information on the Works Cited page.
• Be brief and clear. For print sources this is usually the author’s last name and a page reference. If the author’s name is written in the sentence, use the page number where you found the information in the citation. No author? Cite the title or use a short form of the title and the page number.
• Place the in-text citation as close as possible to the material being documented.
• The in-text citation comes before the punctuation mark that ends the sentence, clause, or phrase that contains the cited material.

Additional Guidelines for Electronic Sources

• If a web source does not have page numbers, leave that portion of the citation blank.
• Do not use page numbers assigned by the printer.
• Sources that are PDF files have page numbers that are stable and should be included in the in-text citation.

Note: For help with in-text citations, see the MLA Handbook, pages 54-58, Section 3.1 – 3.6.

Information is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 8th Edition. It is important to note, however, that individual instructor’s specifications may vary and that it is always wise to consult with your instructor before formatting and submitting your work.

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