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Research and Writing Support: How to format In-text Citations

How to format In-text Citations

MLA style requires adding a brief reference directly into the text to indicate the source that was used. This is called an in-text citation. The in-text citation directs the reader to the source's citation entry in the Works Cited list.

In MLA format, the author's last name and the page number(s) must be included in the text, and a complete reference should be included on the Works Cited page. The author's name can appear either in the sentence itself or in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase, but the page number(s) should always appear in parentheses.

In-text Citations

Following a quote or a paraphrase, include an in-text citation.  MLA style follows Author-Page style. Examples:

Single Author:

(Smith 22)

Multiple Authors:

(Smith and Einstein 235)

Three or more authors, list only the first followed by et al.

No Author:

(Shortened title)

Place the title in "quotes" if it's an article.

Italicize the title if it's a longer work like a book, play, etc.

For more information on MLA in-text citations and their variations, visit the Purdue Owl Writing Lab: MLA In-Text Citations page. 

Research Organization and Citation

NoodleTools 

Research organization with bibliographies and notecards. Google SSO: Login with your FWCD Gmail account.

• NoodleTools Quick Guide for Students

• Tutorials on Using NoodleTools (scroll down on the page)

Helpful Links

Purdue OWL - MLA resources: Covers all aspects of MLA formatting including a sample paper and references.

MLA Cheat Sheet: This cheat sheet provides some of the basic rules and guidelines for MLA formatting. It is not a complete guide.

The MLA Style Center: Compiled by the MLA - this list of FAQs provides questions on all aspects of MLA citations and is helpful to all students.

What is MLA format?

MLA style is most commonly used in the Humanities and English courses of study. The English department at FWCD requires citation according to the MLA style. When using MLA:

  1. Use a citation organization system like NoodleTools to keep track of your research. 
  2. Save all the information about the source: author’s name, title of book or website, page numbers, etc. 
  3. Create a works cited list at the end of your paper, using the citation information you recorded when you were taking notes. 
  4. Provide an in-text citation for all quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.

Sources

MLA Handbook. 9th ed., New York City, Modern Language Association of America, 2021.

"MLA Style Introduction." Purdue Online Writing Lab, Purdue University, 2023, owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_style_introduction.html. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.