In Text Citation Of A Quote Mla
In-text citation is an essential aspect of academic writing, which is used to acknowledge the source of information used in a research paper or essay. In-text citation of a quote MLA is particularly important because it helps to avoid plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in humanities research papers and essays, and it provides guidelines for in-text citation of quotes. This article will discuss in detail the guidelines for in-text citation of quotes in MLA style.
What is in-text citation of a quote MLA?
In-text citation of a quote MLA refers to the method of acknowledging the source of a direct quote or paraphrase used in a research paper or essay. It involves the author's name, the page number(s) of the quote, and the year of publication of the source. This information is enclosed in parentheses and placed at the end of the quote or paraphrase.
Guidelines for in-text citation of a quote MLA
The following are the guidelines for in-text citation of a quote MLA:
1. Direct quotes
When using a direct quote, the author's name, the page number(s) of the quote, and the year of publication of the source should be enclosed in parentheses and placed at the end of the quote. For example:
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do" (Jobs 45).
2. Paraphrasing
When paraphrasing a source, the author's name and the year of publication of the source should be enclosed in parentheses and placed at the end of the paraphrase. For example:
According to Jobs (2005), loving what you do is the key to doing great work.
3. Multiple authors
When a source has two authors, both names should be included in the in-text citation. For example:
(Johnson and Smith 23)
When a source has three or more authors, only the first author's name should be included, followed by "et al." For example:
(Johnson et al. 23)
4. No author
When a source has no author, the title of the source should be used in the in-text citation. For example:
("The Only Way to Do Great Work" 45)
5. Page numbers
When using a direct quote, the page number(s) of the quote should be included in the in-text citation. For example:
("The Only Way to Do Great Work" 45-46)
Conclusion
In conclusion, in-text citation of a quote MLA is an important aspect of academic writing that helps to avoid plagiarism. The guidelines for in-text citation of quotes in MLA style are simple and straightforward, and they require the author's name, the page number(s) of the quote, and the year of publication of the source. By following these guidelines, writers can ensure that their work is properly cited and avoid being accused of plagiarism.
