Peirce College Library :: MLA In-Text Citation Format

In-Text (or parenthetical) citation is an important part of the MLA Style. References to the sources used in your paper must appear both at the end of the paper—that is to say, in the list of works cited—and within the body of the paper itself (thus the phrase, "In-Text"). The in-text or parenthetical reference is not a complete citation. Rather, its purpose is to guide your reader to the corresponding full and complete citation in the list of works cited.

Show me examples of in-text citation

Show me examples of how to cite a figure

Show me examples of how to cite a table

General guidelines to keep in mind:

  • In-Text citations indicate when you've used material from another author or source.


    •
  • In-Text citations indicate the exact location (page number, paragraph number, etc.) where this material is found.


    •
  • In-Text citations must be used both for direct quotes and paraphrases. You are required to provide an in-text citation when you have borrowed ideas, theories, and/or statistics from another author or source.


  • Generally, an in-text citation includes—within parentheses—the author's last name and a page number or numbers. Though, there are exceptions.


    •
  • One exception: The page number alone will suffice in cases where the author has already been named in the text.


  • Place the parenthetical reference after the quotation, paraphrase, or borrowed idea.


    •
  • With any in-text citation, be as brief as possible while still providing enough information to refer your reader to the full citation in the list of works cited.

  • A list of works cited is not the same as a bibliography. A list of works cited contains only those works from which you quote, paraphrase, summarize or borrow ideas. A bibliography, on the other hand, is a list of works that you consulted during your research (though didn't use directly).

Additional Information

  • In the course of your research, you may run into circumstances not covered in these directions. In such cases, consult MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition.


  • You can also check out the FAQs on the MLA web site

top | library home