MLA Style in Text Citation

What is MLA Style In Text Citation?

In social sciences research papers, humanities and liberal arts, MLA style for citations is the most common style all over the world. This style of referencing is presented by Modern Language Association of America. The MLA style has been updated with MLA handbook for academic writers whose 7^th edition has been published till now.

Moreover, MLA style manuals are also available for young scholars to offer them a general format about MLA in text citation, footnotes, bibliography and endnotes. Young struggling scholars must consult these manuals if they want to adopt MLA guidelines in their research papers.

Thrust of the Article

This article is a brief look on how you can go with MLA style in text citation for your research projects. For this purpose step by step MLA formatting will be required that must be studied before going through final referencing. Basic in text citation guidelines are briefly described here along with suitable examples in the end.

MLA Rules for In Text Citation

MLA in text citation is done by using the method of parenthetical referencing. This is a method that involves brackets known as parentheses that are placed in the end of the enclosed material.

The source name is placed in these brackets to ensure reliability of the material, quotes or paraphrase used in the research. However, there are some other rules as well which must be followed.

1. The information of the source used in parenthetical referencing depends upon the medium of the source. For example whether the source is book, DVD, website or a journal.
2. Next to it, any source information you use in text citation must be included on bibliography page. This simply means that nothing should be mentioned in isolation.

MLA In Text Citation Rules for Books

In MLA in text citation, author name along with the page number(s) is placed in parentheses just after the quotation, paraphrase or material. The complete reference of the book should be given in the end on bibliography page. Moreover, the author’s name can also be placed within the text.

Examples

1. Paul Insel stated that “the pressing issues related to nutrition are rapidly coming forward.” (52). OR
2. “The pressing issues related to nutrition are rapidly coming forward” (Paul Insel 52).

MLA In Text Citation Guide for Print Material

For all printed materials including magazines, books, newspapers, scholarly articles and journals with known authors, single word is used in text citation. This word is the last name of the author. If you are using the name within the text then you are not required to use the name in parenthetical brackets in the end.

Example

While describing partnership, Arianna Huffington described, “International collaboration bringing together.”

MLA In Text Citation Guide for Anonymous Writers

Sometimes it occurs that we find out relevant material online but the author of the material is not known. In such cases we simply place the name of the article along with page number, if known. The name of the article can be placed in italics as well.

Example

“North America is a region which has readily available climatic data at one end as well as inclusive programs to observe and study the ongoing climatic changes” (Impact of Global Warming 6).