how to in text cite when paraphrasing mla

MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): In-Text Citation

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In-Text Citation

Works Quoted in Another Source

No Author, No Date etc.
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If you're using information from a single source more than once in a row (with no other sources referred to in between), you can use a simplified in-text citation. The first time you use information from the source, use a full in-text citation. The second time, you only need to give the page number.

Cell biology is an area of science that focuses on the structure and function of cells (Smith 15). It revolves around the idea that the cell is a "fundamental unit of life" (17). Many important scientists have contributed to the evolution of cell biology. Mattias Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, for example, were scientists who formulated cell theory in 1838 (20).

Note: If using this simplified in-text citation creates ambiguity regarding the source being referred to, use the full in-text citation format.

If you would like to cite more than one source within the same in-text citation, simply record the in-text citations as normal and separate them with a semi-colon.

(Smith 42; Bennett 71).

( It Takes Two ; Brock 43).

Note: The sources within the in-text citation do not need to be in alphabetical order for MLA style.

What Is a Long Quotation?

If your quotation is longer than four lines, it is a considered a long quotation. This can also be referred to as a block quotation.

Rules for Long Quotations

There are 4 rules that apply to long quotations that are different from regular quotations:

Place a colon at the end of the line that you write to introduce your long quotation.
Indent the long quotation 0.5 inches from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text.
Do not put quotation marks around the quotation.
Place the period at the end of the quotation before your in-text citation instead of after , as with regular quotations.

Example of a Long Quotation

Vivian Gornick describes the process of maturing as a reader as a reckoning with human limitations:

Suddenly, literature, politics, and analysis came together, and I began to think more inclusively about the emotional

imprisonment of mind and spirit to which all human beings are heir. In the course of analytic time, it became apparent

that—with or without the burden of social justice—the effort required to attain any semblance of inner freedom was

extraordinary. Great literature, I then realized, is a record not of the achievement, but of the effort.

With this insight as my guiding light, I began to interpret the lives and work of women and men alike who had

spent their years making literature. (x-xi)

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MLA In-Text Citations

An in-text citation is a reference to a source that is found within the text of a paper ( Handbook 227). This tells a reader that an idea, quote, or paraphrase originated from a source. MLA in-text citations usually include the last name of the author and the location of cited information.

This guide focuses on how to create MLA in-text citations, such as citations in prose and parenthetical citations in the current MLA style, which is in its 9th edition. This style was created by the Modern Language Association . This guide reviews MLA guidelines but is not related directly to the association.

Here’s a quick rundown of the contents of this guide on how to use in-text citations.

Fundamentals

Why in-text citations are important
Prose vs parenthetical in-text citation differences
Parenthetical citation reference chart

In-text citation examples

In-text citation with two authors
In-text citation with 3+ authors
In-text citation with no authors
In-text citation with corporate authors
In-text citation with edited books and anthologies
In-text citation with no page numbers and online sources
Citing the same sources multiple times
Citing 2+ sources in the same in-text citation
Citing multiple works by the same author in the same in-text citation
Abbreviating titles
Citing religious works and scriptures
Citing long or block quotes

Why are in-text citations important?

In-text citations

Give full credit to sources that are quoted and paraphrased in a work/paper.
Help the writer avoid plagiarism.
Are a signal that the information came from another source.
Tell the reader where the information came from.

In-text citation vs. in-prose vs. parenthetical

An in-text citation is a general citation of where presented information came from. In MLA, an in-text citation can be displayed in two different ways:

In the prose
As a parenthetical citation

While the two ways are similar, there are slight differences. However, for both ways, you’ll need to know how to format page numbers in MLA .

Citation in prose

An MLA citation in prose is when the author’s name is used in the text of the sentence. At the end of the sentence, in parentheses, is the page number where the information was found.

Here is an example

When it comes to technology, King states that we “need to be comfortable enough with technology tools and services that we can help point our patrons in the right direction, even if we aren’t intimately familiar with how the device works” (11).

This MLA citation in prose includes King’s name in the sentence itself, and this specific line of text was taken from page 11 of the journal it was found in.

Parenthetical citation

An MLA parenthetical citation is created when the author’s name is NOT in the sentence. Instead, the author’s name is in parentheses after the sentence, along with the page number.

Here is an MLA parenthetical citation example

When it comes to technology, we “need to be comfortable enough with technology tools and services that we can help point our patrons in the right direction, even if we aren’t intimately familiar with how the device works” (King 11).

In the above example, King’s name is not included in the sentence itself, so his name is in parentheses after the sentence, with 11 for the page number. The 11 indicates that the quote is found on page 11 in the journal.

Full reference

For every source that is cited using an in-text citation, there is a corresponding full reference. This allows readers to track down the original source.

At the end of the assignment, on the MLA works cited page , is the full reference. The full reference includes the full name of the author, the title of the article, the title of the journal, the volume and issue number, the date the journal was published, and the URL where the article was found.

Here is the full reference for King’s quote

King, David Lee. “Why Stay on Top of Technology Trends?” Library Technology Reports , vol. 54, no. 2, Feb.-Mar. 2018, ezproxy.nypl.org/login?url=//search-proquest-com.i.ezproxy.nypl.org/docview/2008817033?accountid=35635.

Readers can locate the article online via the information included above.

Citation overview

mla-in-text-citations-reference-overview

The next section of this guide focuses on how to structure an MLA in-text citation and reference in parentheses in various situations.

A narrative APA in-text citation and APA parenthetical citation are somewhat similar but have some minor differences. Check out our helpful guides, and others, on EasyBib.com!

Wondering how to handle these types of references in other styles? Check out our page on APA format , or choose from more styles .

Parenthetical Citation Reference Chart

Sources with two authors.

There are many books, journal articles, magazine articles, reports, and other source types written or created by two authors.

When a source has two authors, place both authors’ last names in the body of your work ( Handbook 232). The last names do not need to be listed in alphabetical order. Instead, follow the same order as shown on the source.

In an MLA in-text citation, separate the two last names with the word “and.” After both authors’ names, add a space and the page number where the original quote or information is found on.

Here is an example of an MLA citation in prose for a book with two authors

Gaiman and Pratchett further elaborate by sharing their creepy reminder that “just because it’s a mild night doesn’t mean that dark forces aren’t abroad. They’re abroad all of the time. They’re everywhere” (15).

Here is an example of an MLA parenthetical citation for a book with two authors

Don’t forget that “just because it’s a mild night doesn’t mean that dark forces aren’t abroad. They’re abroad all of the time. They’re everywhere” (Gaiman and Pratchett 15).

If you’re still confused, check out EasyBib.com’s MLA in-text citation generator, which allows you to create MLA in-text citations and other types of references in just a few clicks!

If it’s an APA book citation you’re looking to create, we have a helpful guide on EasyBib.com. While you’re at it, check out our APA journal guide!

Sources With Three or More Authors

There are a number of sources written or created by three or more authors. Many research studies and reports, scholarly journal articles, and government publications are developed by three or more individuals.

If you included the last names of all individuals in your MLA in-text citations or in parentheses, it would be too distracting to the reader. It may also cause the reader to lose sight of the overall message of the paper or assignment. Instead of including all last names, only include the last name of the first individual shown on the source. Follow the first author’s last name with the Latin phrase, “et al.” This Latin phrase translates to “and others.” Add the page number after et al.

Here’s an example of an MLA parenthetical citation for multiple authors

“School library programs in Croatia and Hong Kong are mainly focused on two major educational tasks. One task is enhancing students’ general literacy and developing reading habits, whereas the other task is developing students’ information literacy and research abilities” (Tam et al. 299).

The example above only includes the first listed author’s last name. All other authors are credited when “et al.” is used. If the reader wants to see the other authors’ full names, the reader can refer to the final references at the end of the assignment or to the full source.

The abbreviation et al. is used with references in parentheses, as well as in full references. To include the authors’ names in prose, you can either write each name out individually or, you can type out the meaning of et al., which is “and others.”

Here is an acceptable MLA citation in prose example for sources with more than three authors

School library programming in Croatia and Hong Kong is somewhat similar to programming in the United States. Tam, Choi, Tkalcevic, Dukic, and Zheng share that “school library programs in Croatia and Hong Kong are mainly focused on two major educational tasks. One task is enhancing students’ general literacy and developing reading habits, whereas the other task is developing students’ information literacy and research abilities” (299).

If your instructor’s examples of how to do MLA in-text citations for three or more authors looks different than the example here, your instructor may be using an older edition of this style. To discover more about previous editions, learn more here .

Need some inspiration for your research project? Trying to figure out the perfect topic? Check out our Dr. Seuss , Marilyn Monroe , and Malcolm X topic guides!

Sources Without an Author

It may seem unlikely, but there are times when an author’s name isn’t included on a source. Many digital images, films and videos, encyclopedia articles, dictionary entries, web pages, and more do not have author names listed.

If the source you’re attempting to cite does not have an author’s name listed, the MLA in-text citation or parenthetical citation should display the title. If the title is rather long, it is acceptable to shorten it in the body of your assignment. If you choose to shorten the title, make sure the first word in the full citation is also the first word used in the citation in prose or parenthetical citation. This is done to allow the reader to easily locate the full citation that corresponds with the reference in the text.

If, in the Works Cited list, the full reference has the title within quotation marks, include those quotation marks in the in-text citation or reference in parentheses. If the title is written in italics in the full reference, use italics for the title in the in-text citation or reference in parentheses as well.

Parenthetical Citations MLA Examples

The example below is from a poem found online, titled “the last time.” the poem’s author is unknown..

“From the moment you hold your baby in your arms you will never be the same. You might long for the person you were before, when you had freedom and time and nothing in particular to worry about” (“The Last Time”).

The example below is from the movie, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain .

“Perhaps it would have been different if there hadn’t been a war, but this was 1917, and people were exhausted by loss. Those that were allowed to stay manned the pits, mining the coal that would fuel the ships. Twenty-four hours a day they labored” ( Englishman ).

Notice the shortened title in the above reference. This allows the reader to spend more time focusing on the content of your project, rather than the sources.

If you’re looking for an MLA in-text citation website to help you with your references, check out EasyBib Plus on EasyBib.com! EasyBib Plus can help you determine how to do in-text citations MLA and many other types of references!

Corporate Authors

Numerous government publications, research reports, and brochures state the name of the organization as the author responsible for publishing it.

When the author is a corporate entity or organization, this information is included in the MLA citation in prose or parenthetical citation.

“One project became the first to evaluate how e-prescribing standards work in certain long-term care settings and assessed the impact of e-prescribing on the workflow among prescribers, nurses, the pharmacies, and payers” (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2).

If the full name of the organization or governmental agency is long in length, it is acceptable to abbreviate some words, as long as they are considered common abbreviations. These abbreviations should only be in the references with parentheses. They should not be used in citations in prose.

Here is a list of words that can be abbreviated in parentheses:

Department = Dept.
Government = Govt.
Corporation = Corp.
Incorporated = Inc.
Company = Co.
United States = US

Example of a shortened corporate author name in an MLA parenthetical citation

“Based on our analysis of available data provided by selected states’ departments of corrections, the most common crimes committed by inmates with serious mental illness varied from state to state” (US Govt. Accountability Office 14).

Here is how the same corporate author name would look in an MLA citation in prose

The United States Government Accountability Office states, “Based on our analysis of available data provided by selected states’ departments of corrections, the most common crimes committed by inmates with serious mental illness varied from state to state” (14).

Remember, citations in prose should not have abbreviations; other types of references can.

Looking for more information on abbreviations? Check out our page on MLA format.

Edited Books and Anthologies

Edited books and anthologies often include chapters or sections, each written by an individual author or a small group of authors. These compilations are placed together by an editor or a group of editors. There are tons of edited books and anthologies available today, ranging from ones showcasing Black history facts and literature to those focusing on notable individuals such as scientists like Albert Eintein and politicians such as Winston Churchill .

If you’re using information from an edited book or an anthology, include the chapter author’s name in your MLA citation in prose or reference in parentheses. Do not use the name(s) of the editor(s). Remember, the purpose of these references is to provide the reader with some insight as to where the information originated. If, after reading your project, the reader would like more information on the sources used, the reader can use the information provided in the full reference, at the very end of the assignment. With that in mind, since the full reference begins with the author of the individual chapter or section, that same information is what should be included in any citations in prose or references in parentheses.

Here is an example of an MLA citation in prose for a book with an editor

Weinstein further states that “one implication of this widespread adaptation of anthropological methods to historical research was the eclipse of the longstanding concern with “change over time,” and the emergence of a preference for synchronic, rather than diachronic, themes” (195).

Full reference at the end of the assignment

Weinstein, Barbara. “History Without a Cause? Grand Narratives, World History, and the Postcolonial Dilemma.” Postcolonial Studies: An Anthology , edited by Pramod K. Nayar, Wiley-Blackwell, 2015, p. 196. Wiley , www.wiley.com/en-us/Postcolonial+Studies%3A+An+Anthology-p-9781118780985.

Once you’re through with writing and citing, run your paper through our innovative plagiarism checker ! It’s the editor of your dreams and provides suggestions for improvement.

Sources Without Page Numbers and Online Sources

When a source has no page numbers, which is often the case with long web page articles, e-books, and numerous other source types, do not include any page number information in the body of the project. Do not estimate or invent your own page numbering system for the source. If there aren’t any page numbers, omit this information from the MLA in-text citation. There may, however, be paragraph numbers included in some sources. If there are distinct and clear paragraph numbers directly on the source, replace the page number with this information. Make it clear to the reader that the source is organized by paragraphs by using “par.” before the paragraph number, or use “pars.” if the information is from more than one paragraph.

Here is an example of how to create an MLA parenthetical citation for a website

“She ran through the field with the wind blowing in her hair and a song through the breeze” (Jackson par. 5).

Here’s an example of an MLA citation in prose for a website

In Brenner’s meeting notes, he further shared his motivation to actively seek out and secure self help resources when he announced, “When we looked at statistical evidence, the most commonly checked out section of the library was self-help. This proves that patrons consistently seek out help for personal issues and wish to solve them with the help of the community’s resources” (pars. 2-3).

Here’s another MLA in-text citation example for a website

Holson writes about a new mindful app, which provides listeners with the soothing sound of not only Bob Ross’ voice, but also the “soothing swish of his painter’s brush on canvas.”

In above example, the information normally found in the parentheses is omitted since there aren’t any page, parentheses, or chapter numbers on the website article.

Looking for APA citation website examples? We have what you need on EasyBib.com!

Need an in-text or parenthetical citation MLA website? Check out EasyBib Plus on EasyBib.com! Also, check out MLA Citation Website , which explains how to create references for websites.

Citing the Same Source Multiple Times

It may seem redundant to constantly include an author’s name in the body of a research project or paper. If you use an author’s work in one section of your project, and the next piece of information included is by the same individual(s), then it is not necessary to share in-text, whether in prose or in parentheses, that both items are from the same author. It is acceptable to include the last name of the author in the first use, and in the second usage, only a page number needs to be included.

Here is an example of how to cite the same source multiple times

“One of the major tests is the Project for Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills. This measurement was developed over four years as a joint partnership between the Association of Research Libraries and Kent State University” (Tong and Moran 290). This exam is just one of many available to measure students’ information literacy skills. It is fee-based, so it is not free, but the results can provide stakeholders, professors, curriculum developers, and even librarians and library service team members with an understanding of students’ abilities and misconceptions. It is not surprising to read the results, which stated that “upper-level undergraduate students generally lack information literacy skills as evidenced by the results on this specific iteration of the Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills test” (295).

The reader can assume that the information in the second quote is from the same article as the first quote. If, in between the two quotes, a different source is included, Tong and Moran’s names would need to be added again in the last quote.

Here is the full reference at the end of the project:

Tong, Min, and Carrie Moran. “Are Transfer Students Lagging Behind in Information Literacy?” Reference Services Review , vol. 45, no. 2, 2017, pp. 286-297. ProQuest , ezproxy.nypl.org/login?url=//search-proquest-com.i.ezproxy.nypl.org/docview/1917280148?accountid=35635.

Citing Two or More Sources in the Same In-text Citation

According to section 6.30 of the Handbook , parenthetical citations containing multiple sources in a single parenthesis should be separated by semicolons.

(Granger 5; Tsun 77) (Ruiz 212; Diego 149)

Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author in One In-text Citation

Just as you might want to cite two different sources at the same time, it can also be useful to cite different works by the same author all at once.

Section 6.30 of the Handbook specifies that “citations of different locations in a single source are separated by commas” (251).

(Maeda 59, 174-76, 24) (Kauffman 7, 234, 299)

Furthermore, if you are citing multiple works by the same author, the titles should be joined by and if there are only two. Otherwise, use commas and and .

(Murakami, Wild Sheep Chase and Norwegian Wood ) (Murakami, Wild Sheep Chase , Norwegian Wood , and “With the Beatles”)

Abbreviating Titles

When listing the titles, be aware that long titles in parenthetical citations can distract the reader and cause confusion. It will be necessary to shorten the titles appropriately for in-text citations. According to the Handbook , “shorten the title if it is longer than a noun phrase” (237). The abbreviated title should begin with the word by which the title is alphabetized.

Best practice is to give the first word the reference is listed by so the source is easily found in the works cited. Omit articles that start a title: a, an, the. When possible, use the first noun (and any adjectives before it). For more on titles and their abbreviations, head to section 6.10 of the Handbook .

Full title : The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Abbreviated: Curious
Full title: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Abbreviated: Disreputable History

Religious Works and Scriptures

There are instances when religious works are italicized in the text of a project, and times when it is not necessary to italicize the title.

If you’re referring to the general religious text, such as the Bible, Torah, or Qur’an, it is not necessary to italicize the name of the scripture in the body of the project. If you’re referring to a specific edition of a religious text, then it is necessary to italicize it, both in text and in the full reference.

Here are some commonly used editions:

King James Bible
The Orthodox Jewish Bible
American Standard Bible
The Steinsaltz Talmud
The Babylonian Talmud
New International Bible

When including a reference, do not use page numbers from the scripture. Instead, use the designated chapter numbers and verse numbers.

MLA example of an in-text citation for a religious scripture

While, unacceptable in today’s society, the Bible is riddled with individuals who have two, three, and sometimes four or more spouses. One example in the King James Bible , states that an individual “had two wives, the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children” (1 Sam. 1.2)

The only religious scripture that is allowed to be in the text of a project, but not in the Works Cited list, is the Qur’an. There is only one version of the Qur’an. It is acceptable to include the name of the Qur’an in the text, along with the specific chapter and verse numbers.

If you’re attempting to create a reference for a religious work, but it’s not considered a “classic” religious book, such as a biography about Mother Teresa , or a book about Muhammed Ali’s conversion, then a reference in the text and also on the final page of the project is necessary.

If you’re creating an APA bibliography , you do not need to create a full reference for classic religious works on an APA reference page .

For another MLA in-text citation website and for more on the Bible and other source types, click here .

Long or Block Quotes

Quotes longer than four lines are called, “block quotes.” Block quotes are sometimes necessary when you’re adding a lengthy piece of information into your project. If you’d like to add a large portion of Martin Luther King ’s “I Have a Dream” speech, a lengthy amount of text from a Mark Twain book, or multiple lines from Abraham Lincoln ’s Gettysburg Address, a block quote is needed.

MLA block quotes are formatted differently than shorter quotes in the body of a project. Why? The unique formatting signals to the reader that they’re about to read a lengthy quote.

Block quotes are called block quotes because they form their own block of text. They are set apart from the body of a project with different spacing and margins.

Begin the block quote on a new line. The body of the full project should run along the one inch margin, but the block quote should be set in an inch and a half. The entire quote should be along the inch and a half margin.

If there aren’t any quotation marks in the text itself, do not include any in the block quote. This is very different than standard reference rules. In most cases, quotation marks are added around quoted material. For block quotes, since the reader can see that the quoted material sits in its own block, it is not necessary to place quotation marks around it.

Here is an MLA citation in prose example of a block quote

Despite Bruchac’s consistent difficult situations at home, basketball kept his mind busy and focused:

When I got off the late bus that afternoon, my grandparents weren’t home. The store was locked and there was a note from Grama on the house door. Doc Magovern had come to the house because Grampa was “having trouble with his blood.” Now they were off to the hospital and I “wasn’t to worry.” This had happened before. Grampa had pernicious anemia and sometimes was very sick. So, naturally, it worried the pants off me. I actually thought about taking my bike down the dreaded 9N the three miles to the Saratoga Hospital. Instead, I did as I knew they wanted. I opened the store and waited for customers. None came, though, and my eye was caught by the basketball stowed away as usual behind the door. I had to do something to take my mind off what was happening to Grampa. I took out the ball and went around the side. (13)

Notice the use of the colon prior to the start of the block quote. Do not use a colon if the block quote is part of the sentence above it.

Here is an example of the same block quote, without the use of the colon:

Despite Bruchac’s consistent difficult situations at home, it was clear that basketball kept his mind busy and focused when he states

When I get off the late bus that afternoon, my grandparents weren’t home…

If two or more paragraphs are included in your block quote, start each paragraph on a new line.

Looking for additional helpful websites? Need another MLA in-text citation website? Check out the style in the news . We also have other handy articles, guides, and posts to help you with your research needs. Here’s one on how to write an MLA annotated bibliography .

Visit our EasyBib Twitter feed to discover more citing tips, fun grammar facts, and the latest product updates.

Overview of MLA in-text citation structures

If you’re looking for information on styling an APA citation , EasyBib.com has the guides you need!

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

Published October 31, 2011. Updated July 5, 2021.

Written and edited by Michele Kirschenbaum and Elise Barbeau. Michele Kirschenbaum is a school library media specialist and the in-house librarian at EasyBib.com. Elise Barbeau is the Citation Specialist at Chegg. She has worked in digital marketing, libraries, and publishing.

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

Annotated Bibliography
Bibliography
Block Quotes
et al Usage
In-text Citations
Paraphrasing
Page Numbers
Sample Paper
Works Cited
MLA 8 Updates
MLA 9 Updates
View MLA Guide

Citation Examples

Book Chapter
Journal Article
Magazine Article
Newspaper Article
Website (no author)
View all MLA Examples

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In MLA style, if multiple sources have the same author , the titles should be joined by and if there are only two. Otherwise, use commas and and .

In-text citation: (Austen Emma and Mansfield Park )
Structure: (Last name 1st Source’s title and 2nd Source’s title )
In-text citation: (Leung et al. 58)

If the author is a corporate entity or organization, included the name of the corporate entity or organization in the in-text citation.

In-text citation: (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2)

Yes, there’s an option to download source citations as a Word Doc or a Google Doc. You may also copy citations from the EasyBib Citation Generator and paste them into your paper.

Yes! Whether you’d like to learn how to construct citations on your own, our Autocite tool isn’t able to gather the metadata you need, or anything in between, manual citations are always an option. Click here for directions on using creating manual citations.

An in-text citation is a shortened version of the source being referred to in the paper. As the name implies, it appears in the text of the paper. A works cited list entry, on the other hand, details the complete information of the source being cited and is listed within the works cited list at the end of the paper after the main text. The in-text citation is designed to direct the reader to the full works cited list entry. An example of an in-text citation and the corresponding works cited list entry for a journal article with one author is listed below:

In-text citation template and example:

Only the author surname (or the title of the work if there is no author) is used in in-text citations to direct the reader to the corresponding reference list entry. For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author for the first occurrence. In subsequent citations, use only the surname. In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author. If you are directly quoting the source, the page number should also be included in the in-text citation.

Citation in prose:

First mention: Christopher Collins ….

Subsequent occurrences: Collins ….

Parenthetical:

….(Collins)

….(Collins 5)

Works cited list entry template and example:

The title of the article is in plain text and title case and is placed inside quotation marks. The title of the journal is set in italics.

Surname, F. “Title of the Article.” Journal Title , vol. #, no. #, Publication Date, page range.

Collins, Christopher. “On Posthuman Materiality: Art-Making as Rhizomatic Rehearsal.” Text and Performance Quarterly , vol. 39, no. 2, 2019, pp. 153–59.

Note that because the author’s surname (Collins) was included in the in-text citation, the reader would then be able to easily locate the works cited list entry since the entry begins with the author’s surname.

An in-text citation is a short citation that is placed next to the text being cited. The basic element needed for an in-text citation is the author’s name . The publication year is not required in in-text citations. Sometimes, page numbers or line numbers are also included, especially when text is quoted from the source being cited. In-text citations are mentioned in the text in two ways: as a citation in prose or a parenthetical citation.

Citations in prose are incorporated into the text and act as a part of the sentence. Usually, citations in prose use the author’s full name when cited the first time in the text. Thereafter, only the surname is used. Avoid including the middle initial even if it is present in the works-cited-list entry.

Parenthetical

Parenthetical citations add only the author’s surname at the end of the sentence in parentheses.

Examples of in-text citations

Here are a few tips to create in-text citations for sources with various numbers and types of authors:

Use both the first name and surname of the author if you are mentioning the author for the first time in the prose. In subsequent occurrences, use only the author’s surname. Always use only the surname of the author in parenthetical citations.

First mention: Sheele John asserts …. (7).

Subsequent occurrences: John argues …. (7).

…. (John 7).

Two authors

Use the first name and surname of both authors if you are mentioning the work for the first time in the prose. In subsequent occurrences, use only the surnames of the two authors. Always use only the authors’ surnames in parenthetical citations. Use “and” to separate the two authors in parenthetical citations.

First mention: Katie Longman and Clara Sullivan ….

Subsequent occurrences: Longman and Sullivan ….

…. ( Longman and Sullivan).

Three or more authors

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues.” For parenthetical citations, use only the surname of the first author followed by “et al.”

Lincy Mathew and colleagues…. or Lincy Mathew and others ….

…. (Mathew et al.).

Corporate author

For citations in prose, treat the corporate author like you would treat the author’s name. For parenthetical citations, shorten the organization name to the shortest noun phrase. For example, shorten the Modern Language Association of America to Modern Language Association.

The Literary Society of Malaysia….

…. (Literary Society).

If there is no author for the source, use the source’s title in place of the author’s name for both citations in prose and parenthetical citations.

When you add such in-text citations, italicize the text of the title. If the source title is longer than a noun phrase, use a shortened version of the title. For example, shorten the title Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to Fantastic Beasts .

Knowing Body of Work explains …. (102).

….( Knowing Body 102).

MLA Citation Examples

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Citations - MLA: In-Text Citations - Quotations & Paraphrasing

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Books, eBooks, & Pamphlets
Class Notes & Presentations
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries (Reference Works)
Government Documents
Images, Charts, Graphs, Maps & Tables
Journal Articles
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Pesonal Communication (Interviews, Emails, & Telephone)
Religious Texts
Social Media
Videos & DVDs
When Creating Digital Assignments
When Information Is Missing
Works in a Foreign Language
Works Quoted in Another Source (Secondary Source)
In-Text Citations - Quotations & Paraphrasing
Formatting - Essay, Works Cited, Appendix, & Sample Paper
Annotated Bibliography

Paraphrasing

In-Text Citation for One, Two, or More Authors/Editors

Unknown Author

Repeated use of sources, long quotations.

In-Text Citation for More Than One Source

Citing a Source that you Found in Another Source (Secondary Source)

Order of authors, physician credentials, about in-text citations.

In MLA, in-text citations are inserted in the body of your research paper to briefly document the source of your information. Brief in-text citations point the reader to the full citation on the works cited list at the end of the paper.

Create in-text citations for the following:

Direct quotes

If you're using information from a single source more than once in succession (i.e., no other sources referred to in between), you can use a simplified in-text citation.

Note: If using this simplified in-text citation creates ambiguity regarding the source being referred to, use the full in-text citation format.

What Is a Long Quotation?

If your quotation extends to more than four lines as you're typing your essay, it is a long quotation.

Rules for Long Quotations

There are 4 rules that apply to long quotations that are different from regular quotations:

The line before your long quotation, when you're introducing the quote, usually ends with a colon.
The long quotation is indented half an inch from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text.
There are no quotation marks around the quotation.
The period at the end of the quotation comes before your in-text citation as opposed to after , as it does with regular quotations.

Example of a Long Quotation

At the end of Lord of the Flies the boys are struck with the realization of their behaviour:

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)

Direct Quote - Add an in-text citation at the end of the quote with the author name and page number:

Authors Name in the Sentence & with a Direct Quote - If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name in the in-text citation, instead include the page number (if there is one) at the end of the quotation or paraphrased section. For example:

No Page Numbers & with a Direct Quote - When you quote from electronic sources that do not provide page numbers (like Web pages), cite the author name only.

"Three phases of the separation response: protest, despair, and detachment" (Garelli).

Note: The period goes outside the brackets, at the end of your in-text citation.

In-Text Citation For One, Two, or More Authors/Editors

Author Known:

"Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8).

In-Text Citation For More Than One Source

If you would like to cite more than one source within the same in-text citation, simply record the in-text citations as normal and separate them with a semi-colon.

(Smith 42; Bennett 71).

( It Takes Two ; Brock 43).

Note: The sources within the in-text citation do not need to be in alphabetical order for MLA style.

When creating an in-text citation or full citation, the authors should be listed in the original order displayed on the item (book, article, ...).

Do not include academic credentials (e.g., MD, MPH, PhD,. DDS) when citing doctors in the in-text or full citation.

The writer may refer to the physician by Dr. (name), when writing a paraphrase or inserting a direct quotation, although, it is not required.

Using the medical credential in the sentence:

Dr. Higgins, said the reason behind the complication was "direct quote here" (257).

Dr. Price realized that nutrition was tied to health outcomes and encountered this observation in various regions of the world during his travels (390).

Omitting the medical credential from the sentence:

He sad the reason behind the complication was "direct quote here" (Higgins 257).

Price observed that nutrition was tied to health outcomes and encountered this in various regions of the world during his travels (390).

When you write information or ideas from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion.

Paraphrasing from One Page

Include a full in-text citation with the author name and page number (if there is one). For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 65).

Hunt discussed mother-infant attachment becoming a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (65).

Paraphrasing from Multiple Pages

If the paraphrased information/idea is from several pages, include them. For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 50, 55, 65-71).

Author Unknown:

If the author's name is not given, then use the first word or words of the title. Follow the same formatting that was used in the works cited list, such as quotation marks. This is a paraphrase ("Trouble" 22).
Where you'd normally put the author's last name, instead use the first one, two, or three words from the title. Don't count initial articles like "A", "An" or "The". You should provide enough words to make it clear which work you're referring to from your Works Cited list.
If the title in the Works Cited list is in italics, italicize the words from the title in the in-text citation.
If the title in the Works Cited list is in quotation marks, put quotation marks around the words from the title in the in-text citation.

( Cell Biology 12)

("Nursing" 12)

Sometimes an author of a book, article or website will mention another person’s work by using a quotation or paraphrased idea from that source. ( This may be called a secondary source.)

For example, the Kirkey article you are reading includes a quotation by Smith that you would like to include in your essay.

The basic rule: in your Works Cited and in-text citation you will still cite Kirkey NOT Smith.
A dd the words “qtd. in” to your in-text citation.

Examples of in-text citations :

According to a study by Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) 42% of doctors would refuse to perform legal euthanasia.

Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) states that “even if euthanasia was legal, 42% of doctors would be against this method of assisted dying” (A.10).

Example of Works Cited list citation:

Kirkey, Susan. "Euthanasia." The Montreal Gazette , 9 Feb. 2013, p. A.10. Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies.

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Mla quick citation guide.

In-text Citation
Citing Generative AI
Citing Web Pages and Social Media
Citing Articles
Citing Books
Other formats
MLA Style Quiz

Using In-text Citation

Include an in-text citation when you refer to, summarize, paraphrase, or quote from another source. For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your reference list.

MLA in-text citation style uses the author's last name and the page number from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken, for example: (Smith 163). If the source does not use page numbers, do not include a number in the parenthetical citation: (Smith).

For more information on in-text citation, see the MLA Style Center .

Example paragraph with in-text citation

A few researchers in the linguistics field have developed training programs designed to improve native speakers' ability to understand accented speech (Derwing et al. 246; Thomas 15). Their training techniques are based on the research described above indicating that comprehension improves with exposure to non-native speech. Derwing and others conducted their training with students preparing to be social workers, but note that other professionals who work with non-native speakers could benefit from a similar program (258).

Works Cited List

Derwing, Tracey M., et al. "Teaching Native Speakers to Listen to Foreign-accented Speech." Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, vol. 23, no. 4, 2002, pp. 245-259.

Thomas, Holly K. Training Strategies for Improving Listeners' Comprehension of Foreign-accented Speech. University of Colorado, Boulder, 2004.

Citing Web Pages In Text

Cite web pages in text as you would any other source, using the author if known. If the author is not known, use the title as the in-text citation.

Your in-text citation should lead your reader to the corresponding entry in the reference list. Below are examples of using in-text citation with web pages.

Entire website with author: In-text citation Parents play an important role in helping children learn techniques for coping with bullying (Kraizer).

Works cited entry Kraizer, Sherryll. Safe Child. Coalition for Children, 2011, www.safechild.org.

Web page with no author: In-text citation The term Nittany Lion was coined by Penn State football player Joe Mason in 1904 ("All Things Nittany").

Works cited entry "All Things Nittany." About Penn State. Penn State University, 2006, www.psu.edu/ur/about/nittanymascot.html.

General Guidelines

In MLA style the author's name can be included either in the narrative text of your paper, or in parentheses following the reference to the source.

Author's name part of narrative:

Gass and Varonis found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (163).

Author's name in parentheses:

One study found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (Gass and Varonis 163).

Group as author: (American Psychological Association 123)

Multiple works: (separate each work with semi-colons)

Research shows that listening to a particular accent improves comprehension of accented speech in general (Gass and Varonis 143; Thomas 24).

Direct quote:

One study found that “the listener's familiarity with the topic of discourse greatly facilitates the interpretation of the entire message” (Gass and Varonis 85).

Gass and Varonis found that “the listener’s familiarity with the topic of discourse greatly facilitates the interpretation of the entire message” (85).

Note: For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, display quotations as an indented block of text (one inch from left margin) and omit quotation marks. Place your parenthetical citation at the end of the block of text, after the final punctuation mark.

In addition to awareness-raising, practicing listening to accented speech has been shown to improve listening comprehension. This article recommends developing listening training programs for library faculty and staff, based on research from the linguistics and language teaching fields. Even brief exposure to accented speech can help listeners improve their comprehension, thereby improving the level of service to international patrons. (O'Malley 19)

Works by Multiple Authors

When citing works by multiple authors, always spell out the word "and." When a source has three or more authors, only the first one shown in the source is normally given followed by et al.

One author: (Field 399)

Works Cited entry: Field, John. "Intelligibility and the Listener: The Role of Lexical Stress." TESOL Quarterly , vol. 39, no. 3, 2005, pp. 399-423.

Two authors: (Gass and Varonis 67)

Works Cited entry: Gass, Susan, and Evangeline M. Varonis. "The Effect of Familiarity on the Comprehensibility of Nonnative Speech." Language Learning , vol. 34, no. 1, 1984, pp. 65-89.

Three or more authors: (Munro et al. 70)

Works Cited entry: Munro, Murray J., et al. "Salient Accents, Covert Attitudes: Consciousness-raising for Pre-service Second Language Teachers." Prospect , vol. 21, no. 1, 2006, pp. 67-79.

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Last Updated: Feb 14, 2024 8:47 AM
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MLA Citation Guide

MLA Citations
Works Cited List
Library Databases
Online Sources
Print Books
Other Sources

In-Text Citations

Formatting Your Paper
General Information
Verbs in Signal Phrases
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

In addition to crediting other creators, the point of in-text citations is to get your reader to the long-form citation on the Works Cited page. According to the MLA Handbook , the citation should interrupt the text of your essay as little as possible (227). There are two ways to do this:

Signal phrase (" Citation in prose " in the MLA Handbook ) : Introducing the name of the author or the work's title in the text of your sentence.
Parenthetical citation: Paraphrasing an idea or using a quotation without the author/title in your sentence text. The author/title goes in parentheses at the end of your sentence.

Signal Phrase

The signal phrase lets your reader know that you are paraphrasing or quoting an idea from someone else's work. If your paper deals with a particular work of literature, or if you are relying heavily on the work of one or more sources, a signal phrase introducing the source is recommended.

Page or paragraph numbers go in parentheses at the end of your sentence. (If your source has no page/paragraph numbers, do not include them.)
If you are quoting a source, the in-text citation always comes after the closing quotation mark.
If there is no author, use the title of the work in your signal phrase.

Examples of a Signal Phrase

Parenthetical citations.

When you do not include the author/title in your sentence text of the paragraph, a complete parenthetical citation is necessary.

Quotes in your paper flow better when they are integrated the into a sentence.
If the work has no author, use a shortened version of the title in your parenthetical citation.
Page or paragraph numbers come after the author or shortened title.

Examples of a Parenthetical Citation

Works cited.

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice . 1813. The Modern Library, 1995.

Duhigg, Charles. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business . Random House, 2012.

Kite, Allison. "Report: Residents in Kansas, Missouri Get Drinking Water from Lead Pipes at High Rates." Kansas Reflector , 15 Jul. 2021, kansasreflector.com/briefs/report-residents-in-kansas-missouri-get-drinking-water-from-lead-pipes-at-high-rates/.

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

Upson, Matt, et al. Information Now: A Graphic Guide to Student Research . U of Chicago P, 2015.

Author Named in Your Paper

Duhigg argues that we can change our habits, but it can be a struggle to do so (20).

Kite reports that Kansas has 5,446 lead pipes per 100,000 residents, the third highest rate in the United States.

Two Authors Named in Your Paper

Strunk and White argue that writers should use the active voice because it is "direct and vigorous" (18).

Three or More Authors Named in Your Paper

For a source with three or more authors, the MLA Handbook recommends using the first author's name followed by one of the following phrases: "and colleagues" or "and others" (232-233).

Taylor and colleagues explore doctors' responses to patients with chronic illnesses after the doctors' diagnoses with long COVID (839).

One or Two Authors Not Named in Your Paper

We can change our habits, but because they are deeply ingrained into the brain, it can be a struggle to do so (Duhigg 20).

Writers should use the active voice because it is "direct and vigorous" (Strunk and White 18).

Three or More Authors Not Named in Your Paper

Although "research is a collective process, one shared and added to by all researchers," it is unacceptable to plagiarize someone else's work (Upson et al. 90).

If the source has no named author, your in-text citation will be an abbreviated version of the title. If it is a very short title, you may use the entire title. If the work without an author is an article, put quotes around the shortened title in the parenthetical citation; if it is a book, italicize it.

Full Title: Go Ask Alice

The diarist describes her first experience with LSD as "tremendous and wonderful and miraculous" ( Go Ask 30).

In Go Ask Alice, the diarist describes her first experience with LSD as "tremendous and wonderful and miraculous" (30).

Source with No Page Numbers

When citing an article without page numbers in your paper, omit the page element from your in-text citation.

According to DeRuy, a baby’s caretakers "have an enormous role in creating an environment where children have both the freedom and support to learn."

A baby’s caretakers "have an enormous role in creating an environment where children have both the freedom and support to learn" (DeRuy).

DeRuy, Emily. “The Complex Lives of Babies.” The Atlantic , 20 June 2016, www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/06/the-complex-lives-of-babies/487679/.

Duhigg, Charles. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business . Random House, 2012.

Go Ask Alice . 1971. Simon Pulse, 2006.

Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style . 4th ed., Allyn and Bacon, 2000.

Taylor, Anna K., et al. “‘Reluctant Pioneer’: A Qualitative Study of Doctors’ Experiences as Patients with Long COVID.” Health Expectations , vol. 24, no. 3, June 2021, pp. 833–842. doi.org/10.1111/hex.13223.

Upson, Matt, et al. Information Now: A Graphic Guide to Student Research . U of Chicago P, 2015.

To avoid overusing the words "say/says" and "according to," try mixing it up with one of the verbs listed below. For example, instead of writing the following sentence:

Using a variety of verbs can make your writing more interesting to your reader.

Alternatives to "Says"

acknowledges adds admits agrees argues asserts believes claims comments compares confirms contends declares denies disputes emphasizes endorses grants illustrates implies insists notes observes points out reasons refutes rejects reports responds suggests thinks writes

Powers, William. Hamlet's BlackBerry: Building a Good Life in the Digital Age . Harper Perennial, 2011.

Quoting Sources

When you quote a source, you include the author's exact words in your text. Use "quotation marks" around the author's words. Include signal phrases and an in-text citation to show where the quote is from.

Bad Example

The example below is technically correct, but the quote disrupts the flow of the essay.

Better Example

The sentences below have better flow because the quote is introduced with a signal phrase.

Paraphrasing and Summarizing Sources

When you paraphrase or summarize a source, you restate the source's ideas in your own words and sentence structure. Select what is relevant to your topic, and restate only that. Changing only a few words is not sufficient in paraphrasing or summarizing. Instead, you need to completely rephrase the author's ideas in your own words. Since you are restating the idea in your own words instead of quoting it, do not use quotation marks.

Always use in-text citations when you paraphrase or summarize so that the reader will know that the information or opinion comes from someone other than you. Continue to use signal phrases as well.

Plagiarism Example

The example below does not significantly change the source material - it uses the same sentence structure and most of the same words for key ideas. It is also plagiarism because it does not provide a citation.

Correctly Paraphrased Example

The next example is not plagiarism - it restates the author's idea, and it provides a citation in MLA format.

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice . 1813. The Modern Library, 1995.

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Research guides

MLA 9 Quick Guide

In-text citations, page contents.

Direct Quoting

Paraphrasing

Citing a source cited in your source, citing a web page.

Basic Rules for In-Text Citations:

In all cases, create a citation that is brief and that unambiguously directs the reader to the right entry on your Works Cited page.
Use the author's last name and page number(s) when available for paraphrases & quotes; just the author's name is sufficient for summarizing the gist of an entire work.
Put the author's name either within within the text of the sentence or in parentheses . If in the text of the sentence, only the page number is put in parentheses.
If there is no page number , use whatever location marker is available: paragraph numbers, line numbers, chapter and/or section, or time-stamp (for video or audio). If there is no page number or other location, simply omit it.
If the source is attributed to an organization , use a "corporate" (or group) author, such as "U.S. Government Printing Office," or "American Library Association."
If there is no author (not even a corporate author), use an abbreviated form of the work's title in the citation.

Direct Quote & Paraphrase

1. Author's name in text

According to Naomi Baron , reading is "just half of literacy. The other half is writing" (194) . One might even suggest that reading is never complete without writing.

2. Author's name in parentheses

Reading is just "half of literacy. The other half is writing" (Baron 194) . One might even suggest that reading is never complete without writing.

Baron, Naomi S. "Redefining Reading: The Impact of Digital Communication Media." PMLA, vol. 128, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 193-200.

Note that the locations of author name and page help clarify which of the language and ideas belong to that particular author and source. The author's idea from that page is understood to end at the parenthetical page number.

When you include a citation, you must also include a full bibliographic entry in your Works Cited list.

*Examples excerpted from: Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook. 9th ed. New York: Modern Language Assoc. of America, 2021.

Paraphrasing or summarizing an author's ideas in your own words is fine as long as you acknowledge the author. Paraphrasing is a near 1:1 rephrasing, so you need a page number. Summarizing condenses either a full work or a large part of it into a brief version, so no page number is necessary.

1. Paraphrase (following a quote):

According to Gao Xingjian, "Literature is essence divorced from utility" (7). Gao adds, however, than the market for publishing works is constricted by politics (13).

Gao Xingjian. Aesthetics and Creation . Cambria Press, 2012.

2. Summary (with in-text citation):

Naomi Baron broke new ground on the subject.

3. Summary (with parenthetical citation):

At least one researcher has broken new ground on the subject (Baron) .

Baron, Naomi S. "Redefining Reading: The Impact of Digital Communication Media." PMLA , vol. 128, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 193-200.

Note that all of these examples would require a full bibliographic entry of the author's work on your works cited page.

*Examples excerpted from: Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook. 9th ed. New York: Modern Language Assoc. of America, 2021.

Sometimes you may need to use information cited in another source . For example, a text by Boswell that you found quotes something written by Johnson. There are two possible ways of handling it. You can:

Find the original item by Johnson and cite directly from that author ( preferred ).
Name Johnson as a source in your paraphrase, but only cite Boswell in the references page ( Acceptable if the original item would be prohibitively difficult to find; obviously that criteria depends on the situation and your professor's judgment. Ask them. )

Quoted in ("qtd. in"):

Samuel Johnson admitted that Edmund Burke was an "extraordinary man" (qtd. in Boswell 289) .

Boswell, James. Boswell's Life of Johnson . Edited by Augustine Birrell, vol. 3, Times Book Club, 1912. HathiTrust Digital Library , hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b3123590.

Noted in Text:

In a speech urging listeners to reject physical destruction and to seek mutual undertanding, Robert F. Kennedy quoted Aeschylus: "In our sleep, pain which cannot foreget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."

Kennedy, Robert F. "Statement on Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Indianapolis, Indiana, April 4, 1968." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum , www.jfklibrary.org.

Note that in works cited for both examples, you would only need to list the work(s) you actually read: in other words, Boswell or Kennedy, not Johnson or Aeschylus.

If there is no author listed, look for other authorship information, such as the creator or editor, or performer of the item, or organization responsible for the site. If there is none of those, or if the organization would also be the publisher, use a short-form version of the full title in quotation marks in place of the author's name in the citation.
Page numbers are very uncommon on websites, so MLA does not require a page number.

Clear Author (NY Times online article):

"Small changes in your eating habits can lower your risk for many of the diseases associated with aging" (Parker-Pope) , so it's never too early to evaluate your diet. *

Parker-Pope, Tara. "How to Age Well." The New York Times , 2 Nov. 2017, www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-age-well. *

Unclear Author

The female bhakti poets "faced overwhelming challenges through their rejection of societal norms and values" ("Bhakti Poets") . *

"Bhakti Poets: Introduction." Women in World History , Center for History and New Media, chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/modules/lesson1/lesson1.php?s=0. Accessed 20 Sept. 2020. *

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Last Updated: Oct 25, 2023 4:18 PM

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Citation and Writing

How to format In-Text Citations
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How to Paraphrase
How to integrate Quotations and Paraphrases
How to Cite Generative AI This link opens in a new window
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How to make a Works Cited
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How to cite Primary Sources
How to Cite Generative AI

How to Paraphrase Video

What is a Paraphrase

A paraphrase translates the source’s words into your own voice and your own words. If you copy three or more words in a row, you must put those words in quotation marks and name the source. Just like a quotation, a paraphrase is always cited in your paper and on a separate page at the end.

5 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing

Read your passage until you comprehend its full meaning. As you read, jot down bullet points on the facts or opinions presented, but do not copy "word for word" without using quotation marks.
Put your passage aside, and write out your paraphrase in full sentences. Try u sing the notecard feature in NoodleTools and view your notes in 'detail view'.
Check your version with the original to ensure accuracy. Make any corrections about facts or details.
Use quotation marks to identify any unique phrases that you may have used directly from the source. The 'detail view' in NoodleTools lets you look at the original passage with your paraphrase below it to easily compare.
Record the source and page number so that you can refer back to it later when creating your citations.

Adapted from the Purdue Online Writing Lab's Guide to Paraphrasing .

Use Paraphrase Indicators to...

Present research as fact
Demonstrate analysis
Support ideas
Question an idea

When an author has conducted valid research via scientific methods and data collection, their findings may be presented as evidence of fact. Evaluate the credibility of your source (author's credentials + research methodology), then introduce your paraphrase using assertive language such as:

According to Cowell....

Brovick shows …, gard finds/found that…, hatton has determined ....

* Special thanks to Lora Cowell and Nancy Florio for permission to use this information.

Scholars use evidence gathered through research to develop theories. This interpretation of findings is not always black and white. If an author's interpretation is debatable, present their ideas as "analysis or opinion." You can begin the paraphrase of such ideas with phrases such as:

Moberg hypothesizes …

Scott maintains that…, van berkum predicts …, butterfield suggests ….

Use multiple credible authors to support and strengthen your arguments. Be sure that the authors are agreeing with the idea based on their own analysis and expertise. Start by paraphrasing the original idea (with citation), following with a paraphrase of agreement, such as:

Miller acknowledges …

Parker confirms ..., andrews verifies ..., fritz substantiates ....

Controversial topics generate multiple viewpoints. Acknowledge viewpoints that oppose your main thesis and then COUNTER with evidence or interpretations to support the opposing view. Introduce the opposing viewpoint with a phrase such as:

Anderson argues …

Parker contends ...

Speigle disagrees ..., jenkins responds ….

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Last Updated: May 3, 2024 2:57 PM
URL: https://libguides.kent-school.edu/citeandwrite

Introduction
Formatting Your Paper
In-Text Citations
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Social Media
Video and Audio
Avoiding Plagiarism
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MLA 9th Edition Citation Guide In-Text Citations

What is an in-text citation.

An in-text citation refers to the various ways that you can incorporate ideas from your sources into the body of your essays while giving the original authors credit for their ideas. You will need to include in-text citations every time you refer to, quote from, paraphrase or summarize a given source. You will also need to cite facts, figures, images, video, audio or any other element you include in your work, but did not create yourself.

There are two main ways to incorporate information from sources into your essay, direct quotes and paraphrasing.

What doesn't need a citation?

You do not need to cite your own ideas, opinions, or experiences.

You also do not need to cite things that are common knowledge (something the average person would be expected to know). Some examples include: the current president's name, who invented the light bulb, the capital of South Korea, there are twelve months in a year, etc. If you are not sure if it is common knowledge, it is safer to cite it!

What are Direct Quotes?

Direct quotes are when someone else's words are copied word-for-word into your paper. Since you are using someone else's exact words, it's even more important to include a citation telling the reader where this information came from.

While it is recommended to use direct quotes sparingly ( paraphrasing is another method ) using the exact text from an article or book is still a great way to share an idea! For example, direct quotes are useful when an author says something especially memorable or you want to respond directly to something in your own paper.

Shorter Direct Quotes

Direct quotes (that are shorter than three lines) require quotation marks. When citing it, be sure to list the author and page number!

An important part of self-care is being "aware of and accepting your own thoughts and feelings" (Pate 2).

Pate listed some self-care activities such as "jogging, yoga, exercise, listening or dancing to music, taking a walk outdoors, or other relaxing or invigorating activities" (5).

Block Quotes

Block quotes are used when a direct quote is four lines or more. A sentence setting up the quote usually ends in a colon and is followed by the quoted text. Rather than using quotation marks, the quote is indented, double-spaced, and cited without a period at the end.

Pate described the importance of boundaries: Having healthy boundaries means knowing what your limits are and clearly communicating what you will and will not allow, as well as what you need. Establishing clear and healthy boundaries can support health and wellness for all. Some people need more connection and interaction — physically, socially, or mentally — while others need more quiet time and solitude. It’s important to understand what you need and clearly communicate that to others. (5)

The meaning behind and importance of boundaries can be described with the following: Having healthy boundaries means knowing what your limits are and clearly communicating what you will and will not allow, as well as what you need. Establishing clear and healthy boundaries can support health and wellness for all. Some people need more connection and interaction — physically, socially, or mentally — while others need more quiet time and solitude. It’s important to understand what you need and clearly communicate that to others. (Pate 5)

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is when you take another person's words or ideas and put them into your own words. Even though you are not directly quoting someone else, credit still needs to be given.

Paraphrasing allows you to summarize and make connections between several different sources. Paraphrasing also keeps your paper in your own "voice" and avoids interrupting the flow of your writing with frequent direct quotes.

See below for several examples on how to give credit for ideas you are paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing Examples

Be sure to use your own words and give credit for the idea to the original source. Page numbers are not a requirement for paraphrases but are worth considering if they would help the reader find what you are referring to.

Self-care involves being aware of one's own thoughts, feelings, and conditions as well as being purposeful in taking steps to maintain and improve mental and physical health (Pate 2).

Pate advocated for the importance of self-care, which requires a person to have an awareness of their own physical and mental state, which is then used to take deliberate steps in maintaining or improving their health (2).

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MLA Style: Writing & Citation

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When you write information or ideas from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion.

Paraphrasing from One Page

Include a full in-text citation with the author name and page number (if there is one). For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 65).

Paraphrasing from Multiple Pages

If the paraphrased information/idea is from several pages, include them. For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 50, 55, 65-71).

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Paraphrasing in MLA

Paraphrasing can be a useful tool to help you avoid relying too heavily on quotes. You should avoid using too many quotes in your writing.

That being said, you still need to cite your sources properly when paraphrasing. You are borrowing other people’s ideas, so it’s important to give credit where it’s due.

If your instructor wants you to use MLA-style citations, it’s important to know how this works in regard to paraphrasing.

What is MLA style?

MLA stands for “Modern Language Association.” This association was founded in 1983, and it’s the leading professional academic organization in the United States. The MLA style is frequently used by schools, instructors, and academic organizations. While many students use the MLA style when writing, it’s especially popular in humanities courses.

What is paraphrasing?

When you paraphrase a passage, you are putting it in your own words. In most cases, the result is that this passage becomes clearer and easier to understand. Paraphrases can be shorter, longer, or the same length as the original passage. Paraphrasing is useful because it shows that you actually understand the key ideas behind the passage.

Paraphrasing & citing in MLA style

Once you understand the system for citing your sources in MLA style, paraphrasing is easy. You can use this process to cite your sources when paraphrasing, summarizing, or using direct quotes.

1. Create a works cited page

Both a works cited page and a bibliography list sources that were used in the making of your paper. The main difference is that a works cited page only includes sources that were referenced in your work (via an in-text citation). On the other hand, a bibliography includes all sources consulted, even if they were not directly referenced in your work. Both are placed at the end of your research paper or essay and follow the same MLA guidelines. It is important to create a works cited page because your in-text citations will help your reader to identify the source you are referencing from that list.

To create a works cited page based on the MLA format, you need to follow a number of guidelines.

This is the basic structure for a book reference in MLA format:

Author Last, Author First, Middle Initial. Title of Work . Publisher, Year.

Here’s an example:

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis . Modern Library, 1915.

For more help creating citations, visit the Citation Machine MLA citation generator .

2. In-text citations

When writing according to the MLA style citation guide, you will use in-text citations. The goal of in-text citations is to direct your reader to the appropriate citation in your works cited list. At the end of your paraphrase, you’ll write the last name of the author and the page number you’re referencing.

This is the basic structure for an in-text citation in MLA format:

(Author Last Name Page number).

For example:

Captain Montgomery forced Pendrick off his ship, claiming that Pendrick was in league with “beasts and cannibals” (Wells 26).

The period is always placed after the parentheses.

If there’s more than one author, you simply use both of their last names, followed by the page number.

(Smith and Jones 77).

If there are three or more authors, you simply use the first author’s last name and then write “et al.”

(Smith et al. 77).

If there is no page number, just use the author’s last name. You’ll likely need to do this if you’re citing a web page or another source where page numbers are not included.

If you’re repeatedly citing the same source, you can simply refer to the page number after the first time. Note that you can only do this if you’re not citing other sources in between and this shouldn’t be used if it will cause confusion.

Captain Montgomery forced Pendrick off his ship, claiming that Pendrick was in league with “beasts and cannibals” (Wells 26). After being stranded on a small dinghy, Pendrick begs God to end his suffering (30).

You can also use only the page number if you have included the author’s name within the test itself. This is called a narrative citation.

Basic structure:

Text that mentions the author’s last name (page number).

Wells writes that Captain Montgomery forced Pendrick off his ship, claiming that Pendrick was in league with “beasts and cannibals” (26).

Key takeaways

When paraphrasing, you need to put the writing in your own words.
Citing your sources is important when paraphrasing.
The MLA style is used for academic writing, especially in the humanities.
The first step is to create a works cited page.
Next, you use in-text citations after your paraphrases to direct your reader to the source listed in your works cited page.
You generally use the last name of the author and the page number in parentheses after your paraphrases.

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MLA Style Guide: 8th Edition: Paraphrase/Summary

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Direct Quote
Block Quote

Paraphrase/Summary

Indirect Quote
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IN-TEXT CITATIONS FOR A...

Paraphrasing is when you, as the researcher, put into your own words a passage or idea from another work. A paraphrased passage is generally shorter and more condensed than the original. Summarizing is very similar to paraphrasing, in that it also involves putting someone else’s ideas into your own words in order to condense the material (and to show that you understand the source material). A summary includes only the main points and/or ideas in a longer passage or entire work.

Paraphrasing is often used because it is easier to integrate into the text of a paper. Remember though, you must still cite your source using author name and page number:

Author Incorporated into Text

Kafka describes the insecurities of his youth, analyzing his social shortcomings in school and his rocky relationship with his father (44-46).

Author After Paraphrase

The insecurities of youth are described, as the author analyzes his social shortcomings in school and his rocky relationship with his father (Kafka 44-46).

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Last Updated: Jan 5, 2023 1:44 PM
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MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: How to Paraphrase and Quote

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Block Quotes in MLA Style

Short quotations can be included as part of a larger sentence or within a paragraph in the body of your paper. For quotations longer than four lines, use a block quote. Press enter to start the quotation on a new line. Press Tab to indent the entire quotation 1/2 inch from the left margin. Continue double spacing for the quotation. Do not use double quotation marks. Place your in-text citation at the end after the closing punctuation mark.

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Last Updated: Jan 23, 2024 11:37 AM
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How To - Use the MLA Style Guide: How to Paraphrase and Quote

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Formatting Your MLA Paper
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MLA Citation Guide

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Quoting & Paraphrasing
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When to Quote and Paraphrase

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Quoting, Paraphrasing & In-Text Video

Creating In-Text Citations Video (MLA Format) Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing, Signal Phrases and In-Text citation video tutorial.

Paraphrasing - What Does That Mean?

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MLA 9 Citation Style: Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

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Textbook as an Anthology or Edited Book
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Popular vs. Scholarly Sources
Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

You already know that you need to use various kinds of resources when you are researching. Now things can get a little more complicated when trying to use those resources in your assignments.

We find that most students accidently plagiarize because they don’t know how to correctly quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize information they are trying to incorporate into their papers. Or how and when to cite things.

So, what's the difference?

(Venn_quote, n.d.)

Direct Quotes

Quotes are the exact words that the author has used, word for word. When quoting, you must use quotation marks and include an in-text citation .

According to the MLA Handbook, quotes should be "used selectively" and should "be as brief as possible" (75).

Rather, most professors prefer you to paraphrase or summarize information from your source because it demonstrates that you really understand what you're writing about.

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing means putting the information you could have quoted into your own words, but keeping the intention of the original source. Paraphrases do not have quotation marks because you are using your own words, yet still must include an in-text citation at the end of the part you are paraphrasing.

Summarizing

When you summarize information, it's really a shorter version of the original source where you relate the overall meaning from the source. Like when paraphrasing, when you summarize you must still include an in-text citation at the end of the part you are summarizing.

Works Cited

The Modern Language Association of America. MLA Handbook , 8th edition. The Modern Language Association of America, 2016.

"Venn_quote." Dallas Learning Cloud , n.d., dlc.dcccd.edu/embed.php?key=dcccd+1dcccd234+englishcomp1rlc-units/quoting-paraphrasing-and-summarizing. Accessed 9 Sep 2019.

Additional Resources

When to Summarize, Paraphrase, and Quote (George Mason University's Writing Center)
Paraphrasing and Quoting 101 (IRSC Libraries)
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing (Purdue University's Online Writing Lab)
Quoting and Paraphrasing (University of Wisconsin's Writing Center)
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Last Updated: Mar 7, 2024 10:33 AM
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MLA Formatting Quotations

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This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

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When you directly quote the works of others in your paper, you will format quotations differently depending on their length. Below are some basic guidelines for incorporating quotations into your paper. Please note that all pages in MLA should be double-spaced .

Short quotations

To indicate short quotations (four typed lines or fewer of prose or three lines of verse) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. Provide the author and specific page number (in the case of verse, provide line numbers) in the in-text citation, and include a complete reference on the Works Cited page. Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation.

Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage, but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

For example, when quoting short passages of prose, use the following examples:

When using short (fewer than three lines of verse) quotations from poetry, mark breaks in verse with a slash, ( / ), at the end of each line of verse (a space should precede and follow the slash). If a stanza break occurs during the quotation, use a double slash ( // ).

Long quotations

For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2 inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark . When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)

For example, when citing more than four lines of prose, use the following examples :

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

When citing long sections of poetry (four lines of verse or more), keep formatting as close to the original as possible.

In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father:

The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We Romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. (qtd. in Shrodes, Finestone, Shugrue 202)

When citing two or more paragraphs, use block quotation format, even if the passage from the paragraphs is less than four lines. If you cite more than one paragraph, the first line of the second paragraph should be indented an extra 1/4 inch to denote a new paragraph:

In "American Origins of the Writing-across-the-Curriculum Movement," David Russell argues,

Writing has been an issue in American secondary and higher education since papers and examinations came into wide use in the 1870s, eventually driving out formal recitation and oral examination. . . .

From its birth in the late nineteenth century, progressive education has wrestled with the conflict within industrial society between pressure to increase specialization of knowledge and of professional work (upholding disciplinary standards) and pressure to integrate more fully an ever-widening number of citizens into intellectually meaningful activity within mass society (promoting social equity). . . . (3)

Adding or omitting words in quotations

If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are not part of the original text:

If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipses, which are three periods ( . . . ) preceded and followed by a space. For example:

Please note that brackets are not needed around ellipses unless they would add clarity.

When omitting words from poetry quotations, use a standard three-period ellipses; however, when omitting one or more full lines of poetry, space several periods to about the length of a complete line in the poem:

MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

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Quoting vs. Paraphrasing
MLA Citation FAQs

Quoting vs Paraphrasing: What's the Difference?

There are two ways to integrate sources into your assignment: quoting directly or paraphrasing.

Quoting is copying a selection from someone else's work, phrasing it exactly as it was originally written. When quoting place quotation marks (" ") around the selected passage to show where the quote begins and where it ends. Make sure to include an in-text citation.

Paraphrasing is used to show that you understand what the author wrote. You must reword the passage, expressing the ideas in your own words, and not just change a few words here and there. Make sure to also include an in-text citation.

Quoting Examples

Long Quotations

Modifying Quotations

Quoting - Example:

There are two basic formats that can be used when quoting a source:

Parenthetical Style:

Narrative Style:

Note: If there are no page numbers, as in a website, cite the author name only.

What is a Long or Block Quotation?

A long or block quotation is a quotation which is 4 lines or more.

Rules for Long Quotations

There are 4 rules that apply to long quotations that are different from regular quotations:

The line before your long quotation, when you're introducing the quote, usually ends with a colon.
The long quotation is indented half an inch from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text.
There are no quotation marks around the quotation.
The period at the end of the quotation comes before your in-text citation as opposed to after, as it does with regular quotations.

Example of a Long Quotation

At the end of Lord of the Flies the boys are struck with the realization of their behaviour:

Sometimes you may want to make some modifications to the quote to fit your writing. Here are some MLA rules when changing quotes:

Changing Quotations

Omitting parts of a quotation

If you would like to exclude some words from a quotation, replace the words you are not including with an ellipsis - ...

Adding words to a quote

If you are adding words that are not part of the original quote, enclose the additional words in square brackets - [XYZ]

Paraphrasing

Correct vs. Incorrect Paraphrasing

Long Paraphrases

Paraphrasing - Examples:

When you write information from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion as follows:

If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name again as part of your in-text citation, instead include the page number if there is one:

Original Source

Homeless individuals commonly come from families who are riddled with problems and marital disharmony, and are alienated from their parents. They have often been physically and even sexually abused, have relocated frequently, and many of them may be asked to leave home or are actually thrown out, or alternatively are placed in group homes or in foster care. They often have no one to care for them and no one knows them intimately.

Source from:

Rokach, Ami. "The Causes of Loneliness in Homeless Youth." The Journal of Psychology, 139, 2005, pp. 469-480. Academic Search Premier.

Example: Incorrect Paraphrasing

Example: Correct Paraphrasing

If you paraphrase a source more than once in a single paragraph and no other sources are mentioned in between, provide an in-text citation for the source at the end of each paraphrase. In the examples, the second in-text citation only includes the page number since it is clear that the same source is still being paraphrased.

If your paraphrase continues to another paragraph and/or you include paraphrases from other sources within the same paragraph, repeat the in-text citations for each.

In-Text Citation Tips

Repeated Use of Sources
Sources with Same Author and Publication Year
Citing More Than One Source
AI-Generated Text

If you are using information from a single source more than once in succession (i.e., no other sources referred to in between), you can use a simplified in-text citation.

When you are citing two different sources that share the same author, for the Works Cited List list the first title only, and for any subsequent titles by the same author list three dashes (---) in place of the author name.

For in-text citations, include a shortened version of the source title following the author name.

Example: In-text citations (Haynes, Noah's Curse 84) (Haynes, The Last Segregated Hour 57)

If you would like to cite more than one source within the same in-text citation, simply record the in-text citations as normal and separate them with a semi-colon (;).

In-text Citations & AI-generated Text

AI-generated content may not be considered as an acceptable source for your course work. Be sure to evaluate the content carefully and check with your instructor if you are permitted to use it as a source. See Citation Examples: Artificial Intelligence for more information. For in-text, include the shortened text of the prompt surrounded by quotation marks such as: ("Shortened text of prompt").

Direct Quote Example

Paraphrasing Example

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2023 2:24 PM
URL: https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/mla-9th

Tips on Paraphrasing

Have you simply changed a few words to synonyms? Try again. Being handy with a thesaurus is not enough to make the sentence yours.
Have you included exact sequences of words from the original? If so, make sure to put quotation marks around those phrases, or re-write until the entire paraphrase is your words.
Have you retained the meaning of the original? Changing the author's meaning is not plagiarism, but academic honesty requires you to represent other's work accurately in your writing.

DeCandido, Graceanne A. "Bibliographic Good vs. Evil in Buffy the Vampire Slayer ." American Libraries Sept. 1999: 44-47.

IMAGES

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3 Ways to Cite a Paraphrased Statement
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COMMENTS

MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics
In-text citations: Author-page style. MLA format follows the author-page method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the page number (s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear on your Works Cited page. The author's name may appear either in the ...
Paraphrasing in MLA
Finally, add an MLA in-text citation. How to add an MLA in-text citation. In order to give credit for ideas that are not yours, citing is key. According the MLA, after you create a paraphrase, you should include an in-text citation with the paraphrase. In addition to the short, in-text citation, a full reference of the source should be included ...
Paraphrasing
6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing. Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning. Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card. Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the ...
MLA In-text Citations
Revised on March 5, 2024. An MLA in-text citation provides the author's last name and a page number in parentheses. If a source has two authors, name both. If a source has more than two authors, name only the first author, followed by " et al. ". If the part you're citing spans multiple pages, include the full page range.
LibGuides: MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): In-Text Citation
Indent the long quotation 0.5 inches from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text. Do not put quotation marks around the quotation. Place the period at the end of the quotation before your in-text citation instead of after, as with regular quotations. Example of a Long Quotation.
MLA In-Text Citations
An in-text citation is a reference to a source that is found within the text of a paper ( Handbook 227). This tells a reader that an idea, quote, or paraphrase originated from a source. MLA in-text citations usually include the last name of the author and the location of cited information. This guide focuses on how to create MLA in-text ...
MLA: In-Text Citations
In MLA, in-text citations are inserted in the body of your research paper to briefly document the source of your information. Brief in-text citations point the reader to the full citation on the works cited list at the end of the paper. Create in-text citations for the following: Direct quotes; Paraphrasing
Library Guides: MLA Quick Citation Guide: In-text Citation
Include an in-text citation when you refer to, summarize, paraphrase, or quote from another source. For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your reference list. MLA in-text citation style uses the author's last name and the page number from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken, for example: (Smith ...
LibGuides: MLA Citation Guide: In-Text Citations
According to the MLA Handbook, the citation should interrupt the text of your essay as little as possible (227). There are two ways to do this: Signal phrase (" Citation in prose " in the MLA Handbook): Introducing the name of the author or the work's title in the text of your sentence. Parenthetical citation: Paraphrasing an idea or using a ...
In-Text Citations: An Overview
In-Text Citations: An Overview. In-text citations are brief, unobtrusive references that direct readers to the works-cited-list entries for the sources you consulted and, where relevant, to the location in the source being cited. An in-text citation begins with the shortest piece of information that directs your reader to the entry in the ...
In-Text Citations
Basic Rules for In-Text Citations: In all cases, create a citation that is brief and that unambiguously directs the reader to the right entry on your Works Cited page.; Use the author's last name and page number(s) when available for paraphrases & quotes; just the author's name is sufficient for summarizing the gist of an entire work.; Put the author's name either within within the text of the ...
How to Paraphrase
5 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing. Read your passage until you comprehend its full meaning. As you read, jot down bullet points on the facts or opinions presented, but do not copy "word for word" without using quotation marks. Put your passage aside, and write out your paraphrase in full sentences. Try using the notecard feature in NoodleTools ...
The Basics of In-Text Citation
Quotes should always be cited (and indicated with quotation marks), and you should include a page number indicating where in the source the quote can be found. Example: Quote with APA Style in-text citation. Evolution is a gradual process that "can act only by very short and slow steps" (Darwin, 1859, p. 510).
LibGuides: MLA 9th Edition Citation Guide: In-Text Citations
An in-text citation refers to the various ways that you can incorporate ideas from your sources into the body of your essays while giving the original authors credit for their ideas. You will need to include in-text citations every time you refer to, quote from, paraphrase or summarize a given source. You will also need to cite facts, figures ...
Paraphrasing
Include a full in-text citation with the author name and page number (if there is one). For example: Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 65). Paraphrasing from Multiple Pages. If the paraphrased information/idea is from several pages, include them.
If my paraphrase consists of several sentences ...
No. The citation should appear only after the final sentence of the paraphrase. If, however, it will be unclear to your reader where your source's idea begins, include the author of the source in your prose rather than in a parenthetical citation. For example, the following is a paraphrase from an essay by Naomi S. …
Paraphrasing in MLA
The first step is to create a works cited page. Next, you use in-text citations after your paraphrases to direct your reader to the source listed in your works cited page. You generally use the last name of the author and the page number in parentheses after your paraphrases. Published October 29, 2020.
LibGuides: MLA Style Guide: 8th Edition: Paraphrase/Summary
Paraphrasing is often used because it is easier to integrate into the text of a paper. Remember though, you must still cite your source using author name and page number: Author Incorporated into Text. Kafka describes the insecurities of his youth, analyzing his social shortcomings in school and his rocky relationship with his father (44-46).
MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: How to Paraphrase and Quote
For quotations longer than four lines, use a block quote. Press enter to start the quotation on a new line. Press Tab to indent the entire quotation 1/2 inch from the left margin. Continue double spacing for the quotation. Do not use double quotation marks. Place your in-text citation at the end after the closing punctuation mark.
How To
In-text Citations Toggle Dropdown. About In-text Citations ; In-text Examples ; How to Paraphrase and Quote ; Formatting Your MLA Paper; Formatting Your Works Cited List; MLA Annotated Bibliography; Using Zotero This link opens in a new window; Using Mendeley This link opens in a new window; Citation Styles This link opens in a new window
Research Guides: MLA Citation Guide: Quoting & Paraphrasing
Quoting, Paraphrasing & In-Text Video. Creating In-Text Citations Video (MLA Format) Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing, Signal Phrases and In-Text citation video tutorial.
MLA 9 Citation Style: Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, Summarizing
Paraphrasing . Paraphrasing means putting the information you could have quoted into your own words, but keeping the intention of the original source. Paraphrases do not have quotation marks because you are using your own words, yet still must include an in-text citation at the end of the part you are paraphrasing. Summarizing
MLA Formatting Quotations
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Quoting vs. Paraphrasing
When quoting place quotation marks (" ") around the selected passage to show where the quote begins and where it ends. Make sure to include an in-text citation. Paraphrasing is used to show that you understand what the author wrote. You must reword the passage, expressing the ideas in your own words, and not just change a few words here and there.
Paraphrasing (MLA)
Tips on Paraphrasing Paraphrasing can be tricky. You need to make sure that you don't copy the original author's style or wording. Even if you have a citation, such borrowing would be considered plagiarism. Paraphrases should sound like you, using vocabulary and sentence structures that your reader would recognize as your work.
PDF APA Style and MLA Style References Comparison Guide
This guide compares APA Style and MLA style references for four common sources: journal articles, books, edited book chapters, and webpages. Format varies depending on the number of authors; the templates match the examples and show variations for one, two, and three or more authors. The sentences with in-text citations are paraphrased, which ...

MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): In-Text Citation

Works Quoted in Another Source

On This Page

MLA In-Text Citations

Table of Contents

Fundamentals

In-text citation examples

Why are in-text citations important?

In-text citation vs. in-prose vs. parenthetical

Citation in prose

Here is an example

Parenthetical citation

Here is an MLA parenthetical citation example

Full reference

Here is the full reference for King’s quote

Citation overview

Parenthetical Citation Reference Chart

Here is an example of an MLA citation in prose for a book with two authors

Here is an example of an MLA parenthetical citation for a book with two authors

Sources With Three or More Authors

Here’s an example of an MLA parenthetical citation for multiple authors

Here is an acceptable MLA citation in prose example for sources with more than three authors

Sources Without an Author

Parenthetical Citations MLA Examples

The example below is from the movie, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain .

Corporate Authors

Example of a shortened corporate author name in an MLA parenthetical citation

Here is how the same corporate author name would look in an MLA citation in prose

Edited Books and Anthologies

Here is an example of an MLA citation in prose for a book with an editor

Full reference at the end of the assignment

Sources Without Page Numbers and Online Sources

Here is an example of how to create an MLA parenthetical citation for a website

Here’s an example of an MLA citation in prose for a website

Here’s another MLA in-text citation example for a website

Citing the Same Source Multiple Times

Here is an example of how to cite the same source multiple times

Here is the full reference at the end of the project:

Citing Two or More Sources in the Same In-text Citation

Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author in One In-text Citation

Abbreviating Titles

Religious Works and Scriptures

MLA example of an in-text citation for a religious scripture

Long or Block Quotes

Here is an MLA citation in prose example of a block quote

Here is an example of the same block quote, without the use of the colon:

MLA Formatting Guide

Citation Examples

Parenthetical

Examples of in-text citations

Plagiarism Checker

Citations - MLA: In-Text Citations - Quotations & Paraphrasing

On This Page

Paraphrasing

Unknown Author

Citing a Source that you Found in Another Source (Secondary Source)

In-Text Citation For One, Two, or More Authors/Editors

In-Text Citation For More Than One Source

Penn State University Libraries

Using In-text Citation

Citing Web Pages In Text

General Guidelines

Works by Multiple Authors

MLA Citation Guide

In-Text Citations

Signal Phrase

Examples of a Signal Phrase

Examples of a Parenthetical Citation

Author Named in Your Paper

Two Authors Named in Your Paper

Three or More Authors Named in Your Paper

One or Two Authors Not Named in Your Paper

Three or More Authors Not Named in Your Paper

Source with No Page Numbers

Alternatives to "Says"

Quoting Sources

Bad Example

Better Example

Paraphrasing and Summarizing Sources

Plagiarism Example