Online Learning Support

An in-text citation is placed in the body of the paper to briefly identify the information as coming from an outside source. It refers to the source from the Works Cited page.

To create in-text citations, it's essential to have already created a works cited page. The in-text citation is formed using the first part of the reference entry. The underlined elements in the image below illustrate the details of the reference used in the citation.

There are two types of in-text citations. You can:

1. Introduce the cited information or quotes using a signal phrase (citation in prose), like "according to..." or "...states that." Work these statements into the text of the paper so that the information fits seamlessly into the prose. Many instructors prefer this method because it's an automatic alert that the text that follows is not the student's own words.
2. Use a parenthetical citation to insert a quote or paraphrase into the paper. Acknowledge the source's author in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

See MLA Handbook, 9th edition: Sections 6.6.1 - 6.6.30 for more information.

Please contact one of our Librarians in person or through our Ask a Librarian if you have questions.