In academic writing, especially in the digital age where much research and collaboration happens online, properly citing your sources is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit where it’s due. Modern Language Association (MLA) style in-text citations are a fundamental part of this process. This guide will break down the essentials of MLA in-text citations, ensuring your online texts and academic papers meet the required standards while enhancing readability and credibility.
Understanding the Basics of MLA In-Text Citations
MLA style uses parenthetical citations within the text of your paper. This method involves inserting brief references in parentheses whenever you quote or paraphrase material from a source. These citations direct your reader to the full bibliographic information in your Works Cited page at the end of your document. The core principle is to provide just enough information to clearly link your in-text citation to the correct entry in your Works Cited list.
General Guidelines for In-Text Citations:
- Consistency is Key: Ensure that the information in your in-text citation matches the first element of the corresponding entry in your Works Cited page. This is typically the author’s last name or, if there’s no author, the title of the work.
- Parenthetical Placement: Generally, place the parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence, just before the period. However, context may sometimes dictate placing it within the sentence for clarity.
- Essential Information: The necessary information in your citation depends on the source type (print, web, video, etc.) and what information is available in your Works Cited entry.
Author-Page Style: The Foundation of MLA In-Text Citation
The most common MLA in-text citation style is the author-page method. This is particularly relevant for print sources but also applies to online texts when page numbers are available (like PDFs of journal articles). It requires including the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the cited material can be found.
Examples of Author-Page Citations:
- Author Name in Sentence: As Wordsworth noted, Romantic poetry is characterized by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).
- Author Name in Parentheses: Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).
- Paraphrasing: Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).
In these examples, “(263)” or “(Wordsworth 263)” tells the reader that the information is on page 263 of a work by Wordsworth. The Works Cited page would then provide the full details, such as:
Wordsworth, William. *Lyrical Ballads*. Oxford UP, 1967.This system works effectively for online texts that are reproductions of print materials or have stable page numbers.
Citing Print Sources with Known Authors in Online Texts
For online texts referencing print sources like books, journals, or newspapers, the author-page style remains applicable. Provide the author’s last name and the page number. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is needed in the parentheses.
Examples:
- Author in Sentence: Human beings have been described by Kenneth Burke as “symbol-using animals” (3).
- Author in Parentheses: Human beings have been described as “symbol-using animals” (Burke 3).
These citations correspond to a Works Cited entry starting with “Burke,” such as:
Burke, Kenneth. *Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and Method*. University of California Press, 1966.This method ensures clarity when your online text refers back to traditional print sources.
Corporate Authors and Online Content
When citing sources with a corporate author, use the corporation’s name followed by the page number. Abbreviations for longer corporate names are acceptable to keep citations concise, particularly important in online texts where readability is paramount.
Handling Non-Standard Labeling in Online Texts
Some online sources, especially digital versions of scripts or poems, use labels other than page numbers (like lines, verses, or sections). In such cases, use the specific label in your citation.
Example (Poetry):
In examining William Blake’s “The Tyger,” one might note, “In what distant deeps or skies. / Burnt the fire of thine eyes,” questioning the tiger’s creation (lines 5-6).
For longer labels like chapters or scenes, abbreviate them (e.g., ch., sc.). This is especially useful in online academic discussions where brevity and clarity are valued.
Citing Print Sources with No Known Author in Online Environments
When an online text cites a print source without a named author, use a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation. For short works (articles), use quotation marks; for longer works (books, websites), italicize the title. Provide page numbers if available.
Title Shortening Examples:
- To the Lighthouse becomes Lighthouse.
- “The Impact of Global Warming in North America” becomes “Impact of Global Warming.”
Example Citation:
Regions like North America show numerous global warming hotspots because of “more readily accessible climatic data” (“Impact of Global Warming”).
The Works Cited entry would then begin with the full title:
"The Impact of Global Warming in North America." *Global Warming: Early Signs*. 1999. www.climatehotmap.org/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2009.This approach is crucial for citing online articles or web pages where authorship might be unclear.
Citing Classic and Literary Works in Online Academic Discussions
For classic or literary works that exist in multiple editions, provide the page number from your edition, followed by other relevant information like volume, chapter, or section to aid scholars using different editions.
Example:
Marx and Engels described history as driven by class struggles (79; ch. 1).
This level of detail is valuable in online scholarly forums where participants might be referencing various editions of the same text.
Citing Works Within Anthologies or Collections in Online Papers
When citing a work (like an essay or article) found within a larger collection, cite the author of the internal work.
Example:
Relativity’s origins can be traced back to Faraday and Maxwell (Einstein 782).
Here, “Einstein” refers to the author of the article, not the editor of the collection.
Addressing Authors with the Same Last Names in Online Scholarly Work
If you cite multiple authors with the same last name, use first initials (or full first names if initials are also the same) to differentiate them in your citations.
Example:
While some ethicists worry about designer babies (R. Miller 12), others see benefits in medical research (A. Miller 46).
This is especially important in online research papers where clarity and precision are essential.
Citing Multiple Authors in Online Documents
- Two Authors: List both last names in the citation (Best and Marcus 9).
- Three or More Authors: Use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (Franck et al. 327).
This keeps online citations concise while still providing necessary attribution.
Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author in Online Writing
If you cite multiple works by the same author, include a shortened title to differentiate them. Italicize book titles and use quotation marks for article titles.
Examples:
- Articles: (Lightenor, “Too Soon” 38) and (Lightenor, “Hand-Eye Development” 17).
- Books: (Murray, Write to Learn 6) and (Murray, A Writer Teaches Writing 3).
This distinction is vital for readers navigating your online text and checking your sources.
Citing Multivolume Works in Online Academic Papers
When citing different volumes of a multivolume work, include the volume number followed by a colon and then the page number(s) (e.g., Quintilian 1: 14-17).
Citing the Bible in Academic Online Articles
For the first citation of the Bible, specify the version, book, chapter, and verse (e.g., New Jerusalem Bible, Ezek. 1.5-10). Subsequent citations can just include book, chapter, and verse (e.g., Rev. 4.6-8).
Citing Indirect Sources in Online Research
If you cite a source that is mentioned within another source (indirect source), use “qtd. in” to indicate the source you actually consulted.
Example:
Ravitch notes high schools are becoming “social service centers” (qtd. in Weisman 259).
It’s always best to find and cite the original source whenever possible, especially in formal online academic work.
Citing Transcripts, Plays, or Screenplays in Online Texts
Format dialogue quotations with each speaker’s name capitalized and indented. Subsequent lines of the same speaker are further indented. Include act, scene, or page numbers in the parenthetical citation. This formatting is important even when presenting excerpts in online formats to maintain clarity.
Citing Non-Print or Internet Sources in Online Essays
When citing online sources that lack page numbers, provide the first element from the Works Cited entry (author, article title, website name). Avoid using paragraph numbers or browser-generated page numbers. URLs are generally not needed in-text, unless the website name is part of a signal phrase (e.g., CNN.com).
Examples:
- As one film critic noted, Fitzcarraldo is “notorious for its near-failure” (Taylor, “Fitzcarraldo”).
- The Purdue OWL’s “MLA Formatting and Style Guide” is a highly popular resource.
Citing Electronic Sources in Online Papers
Electronic sources include web pages and online articles. Cite them as you would other sources, using author-title or title-page information as available.
Examples:
- (Taylor, “Fitzcarraldo”)
- (“MLA Formatting and Style Guide”) if the title is used in the sentence.
Multiple Citations in Online Academic Writing
To cite multiple sources in one parenthetical citation, separate them with semicolons (Burke 3; Dewey 21).
Time-Based Media Sources in Online Content
For videos or podcasts, cite the time range (hours, minutes, seconds) you are referencing (00:02:15-00:02:35). This is especially useful when discussing online multimedia content.
When Citations Are Not Necessary in Online Texts
Common knowledge, proverbs, or well-known quotations do not require citations. However, when in doubt, especially in academic contexts, it’s better to cite your source. Understand your audience’s expectations regarding common knowledge, particularly in diverse online communities.
Navigating Unconventional Sources Online
For source types not explicitly covered in the MLA Handbook, apply MLA principles consistently and logically, mirroring the format for similar source types. Consider consulting third-party guidelines for specialized sources (like citing Indigenous Elders), but always verify with your instructor if these are appropriate for your academic context.
By mastering these MLA in-text citation guidelines, you ensure the integrity and credibility of your academic work, whether it’s a formal paper or an online discussion post. Proper citation is not just about avoiding plagiarism; it’s about participating responsibly in the scholarly conversation online and beyond.
