Properly Formatted In-Text Citation For A Quote
When writing a research paper or any academic work, it is important to give credit to the sources of information you used. In-text citations are used to give credit to the original author of a quote or idea that you have used in your work. Properly formatted in-text citations help to avoid plagiarism and also add credibility to your research. Here is a guide on how to properly format in-text citation for a quote.
What is an In-Text Citation?
An in-text citation is a reference made within the body of your work to a source of information. This source can be a book, journal article, website, or any other type of publication. The purpose of an in-text citation is to give credit to the original author of a quote or idea that you have used in your work.
Why Use In-Text Citation?
Using in-text citations is important for several reasons:
- It gives credit to the original author of a quote or idea.
- It helps to avoid plagiarism.
- It adds credibility to your research.
- It allows readers to find the original source of information.
How to Format In-Text Citation for a Quote
When formatting in-text citation for a quote, there are two main styles used: APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association). Here is a guide on how to format in-text citation for a quote in both styles:
APA Style
In APA style, the author's last name and the year of publication are included in the in-text citation. For example:
"According to Smith (2019), 'The sky is blue'"
If the author's name is not mentioned in the sentence, then it should be included in the citation. For example:
"The sky is blue" (Smith, 2019)
MLA Style
In MLA style, the author's last name and the page number of the source are included in the in-text citation. For example:
"According to Smith, 'The sky is blue' (10)"
If the author's name is not mentioned in the sentence, then it should be included in the citation along with the page number. For example:
"The sky is blue" (Smith 10)
Additional Tips for Formatting In-Text Citation for a Quote
Here are some additional tips to help you properly format in-text citation for a quote:
- Always include an in-text citation when you use a direct quote or paraphrase from a source.
- Make sure to use the correct citation style for your work.
- If you are citing more than one source in the same sentence, separate them with a semi-colon.
- If the source has multiple authors, include all of their last names in the citation.
- If the source has no author, use the title of the source in the citation.
Conclusion
Properly formatted in-text citation for a quote is an important aspect of academic writing. It helps to avoid plagiarism and gives credit to the original author of a quote or idea. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your in-text citations are properly formatted and add credibility to your research.