16: Accessible Content for 5.1- MLA In - Text Citations
- Page ID
- 211858
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The following description is available for anyone who needs a screen-readable description of the flow-chart image contained in section 5.1: MLA In-Text Citations. It can also be viewed and printed in an accessible PDF: MLA Citation Flowchart
When and How to Create MLA In-Text Citations
Step 1: Is this your own original idea or information?
If this is your own original idea or information, no citation is needed.
If this isn't your own original idea or information, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Does your source have an author?
There are three options for this step:
Option 1: Yes, and you have already mentioned the author.
If the source has an author and you have already mentioned the author's name in the sentence already (ex: According to Dr Wilson,...), then there is no need to mention the author inside the parentheses again. Now, proceed to Step 3.
Option 2: Yes, but you haven't mentioned the author yet.
If the source has an author, and you haven't already mentioned the author's name in the sentence already, you will need to write the author's last name in parentheses at the end of the sentence, for example (Wilson). Now, proceed to Step 3.
Option 3: No author.
If the source doesn't have an author, include the title of the source, or the first two words of the title, in parentheses at the end of the sentence (unless you already mentioned the title in this sentence), for example ("Beyond Pandemic"). Now proceed to Step 3.
Step 3: Does your source have page numbers?
This step has two options:
Option 1: Source has no page numbers
If your source has no page numbers and it is a media source, cite the relevant time range in parentheses, for example (CSI" 00:11-1:15). Your citation is now complete.
Option 2: Source has page numbers
If your source has page numbers, and you have already mentioned the author or title already in the sentence, then add the page number/s in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example: According to Dr. Wilson, it's cold (25).
If your source has page numbers, but you have not mentioned the author or title already in the sentence, then put the page number/s after the authors name or title in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Ex: It's cold (Wilson 25).
Your citation is now complete.
Next Steps:
Repeat this process for each quote, paraphrase, and summary you include from other sources. Remember that in-text citations typically include the author's last name and page number. Example: (Johnson 121).