MLA: in-text citations

What are in-text citations?

Video: What are in-text citations?

In-Text Citations Four types: Direct quote - short Direct quote - long Paraphrase

In-text citations What is the purpose of in-text citations and works cited lists? To give proper credit to ideas and information that are not your own! To avoid plagiarism!

Formatting in-text citations A) If you mention author’s name (or title of source) in the sentence you only need page number in the citation (parentheses). Example According to Charles Dickens, the eighteenth century was both “the best of times and the worst of times” (35). _______________________________________________________ B) If you do not mention the author (or title of source) in the sentence you will need author’s last name (or title of source) in the citation, along with the page number. The eighteenth century was both “the best of times and the worst of times” (Dickens 35).

Direct Quotes Phrase/Sentence(s) taken word for word from a source and incorporated into your essay. Use direct quotations when the author’s words are particularly relevant and powerful, and you cannot say it any better! Be sure to properly introduce your quote! (signal phrase) Don’t overuse direct quotes!

Short Quotes Word for word, exactly as it is written in your source Four lines or less (lines does not mean sentences!) Type right along side your text, no need to indent or start new line “Enclose in quotation marks” Period comes after the parentheses (citation).

Example – short quote Mentioning author in text: “He was obeyed,” writes Joseph Conrad of the company manager in Heart of Darkness, “yet he inspired neither love nor fear, nor even respect” (87). Not mentioning author in text: The eighteenth century was both “the best of times and the worst of times” (Dickens 35). Notice where the closing quotation mark and period are!

Long Quotes USE SPARINGLY!! Word for word Five lines or more of prose Four lines or less of verse Do not enclose in quotations marks Format as a block – tab in twice (1”) from left margin and line quote up. Punctuation comes before the citation

Example – Long quote At the conclusion of Lord of the Flies, Ralph and the other boys realize the horror of their actions: The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. (Golding 186) Introduce quote with signal phrase and colon Tab in 1” from margin Word for word, exactly as it is written in your source More than four lines long – lines does not mean sentences! Introduce quote with a colon Start new line and indent one inch from the left margin (tab two times) Entire quote should be lined up to the left No quotation marks needed Punctuation comes after the citation, or parentheses! Notice where the period goes! Entire quote is lined up -double spaced!

Paraphrasing Taking something someone said and putting it into your own. The sentence structure and wording are changed but the meaning remains the same! Your paraphrase should be shorter than the original sentence(s). Paraphrasing is a legitimate way to borrow from a source only when accompanied by the correct citation! You must always cite paraphrases!

Tips for Paraphrasing You can’t paraphrase what you do not understand! Read your sources/articles carefully! Make sure you know what each word in article means! Highlight the truly important facts. Try saying what you’ve learned from the article in your own words without looking at the original. Write down your ideas; chances are this is a start to a good paraphrase!

Formatting Paraphrases Type right alongside your text, no need to indent or start a new line Do not use quotation marks since these are your OWN WORDS! Period comes after the citation, or parentheses.

Paraphrase example Example: (mentioning the author in the text) As Wendy Martin suggested, Emily Dickenson firmly believed that we cannot fully comprehend life unless we also understand death (625). Notice no quotation marks used and period comes after the citation.

Signal Phrases A reference, in your text, to an author or title of source, that lets the reader know what they are about to read is from a source. Example: According to Paul Smith, Director of the Research Institute on Addictions, addiction is “ ………………..” (3).

Blue packet – page 8

How would you refer to these sources in your citations (inside the essay?)

Remember!! Have your bibliography out in front of you as you type your rough draft! You will need to refer to it to see how you should be formatting your in-text citations!