Mla In Text Citation Example

When it comes to citing sources in academic writing, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is one of the most commonly used formats. In MLA in-text citation, the author's last name and page number(s) are enclosed in parentheses and placed after the quoted or paraphrased material. Here is an example of an MLA in-text citation: (Smith 24). If the source has no author, the title of the source is used in the in-text citation, like this: ("The Impact of Climate Change" 12). For sources with multiple authors, the authors' names are separated by commas, and the word "and" is used before the last author's name, such as: (Johnson, Williams, and Thompson 43).

Types of MLA In-Text Citations

There are several types of MLA in-text citations, including citations for direct quotes, paraphrased material, and sources with no author or page numbers. For direct quotes, the page number(s) are included in the in-text citation, like this: (Doe 34). For paraphrased material, the page number(s) are also included, such as: (Smith 23-25). If the source has no author, the title of the source is used in the in-text citation, and if the source has no page numbers, the in-text citation only includes the author’s last name, like this: (Johnson).

Citing Multiple Sources

When citing multiple sources in a single in-text citation, the authors’ names are separated by semicolons, and the page number(s) are included for each source, like this: (Smith 24; Johnson 12; Williams 34). If the sources have the same author, but different titles, the titles are included in the in-text citation, such as: (Smith, The History of Literature 24; Smith, The Impact of Technology 12).

In addition to in-text citations, MLA also requires a Works Cited page, which lists all the sources used in the research paper. The Works Cited page is typically arranged alphabetically by author's last name, and includes the author's name, title of the source, publication date, and page numbers. For example, a book citation might look like this: Smith, John. The History of Literature. New York: Random House, 2020. Print.

Common MLA In-Text Citation Errors

One of the most common errors in MLA in-text citations is the incorrect use of commas and semicolons. It’s essential to use commas to separate the author’s name and page number(s), and semicolons to separate multiple sources. Another common error is the failure to include the page number(s) for direct quotes and paraphrased material. By following the MLA guidelines and using the correct punctuation, writers can ensure accurate and clear attribution of sources.

MLA In-Text Citation for Online Sources

When citing online sources, the MLA style requires the author’s name, title of the source, publication date, and URL or DOI. The in-text citation for an online source might look like this: (Johnson 12). If the online source has no author, the title of the source is used in the in-text citation, such as: (“The Impact of Social Media” 23). For online sources with no page numbers, the in-text citation only includes the author’s last name, like this: (Smith).