In-Text Citations (MLA Style)
For more information on MLA citation style, see
http://www.mla.org
Examples below are
from Little Brown Compact Handbook
| TYPE |
FORMAT |
EXAMPLE |
|
Author Named in Your Text
If the author's name is in your text, you do not need to repeat |
Signal phrase, "quote" (page). |
One researcher, Carol Gilligan,
concludes that "women impose a distinctive construction on moral
problems" (105). |
|
Two Authors
Last names only |
Signal phrase, "quote" (author
and author page). |
According to a study, "The poor
and minorities were victims" (Frieden and Sagalyn 29). |
|
Three Authors
Add commas and "and" before final name |
Signal phrase, "quote" (author,
author, and author page). |
Our text discusses the "ethical
dilemmas in public relations" (Wilcox, Ault, and Agee 125). |
|
More Than Three Authors
You can list all names or use only first author followed by et.
al. |
Signal phrase, "quote" (author,
et. al. page). |
Our text discusses the "ethical
dilemmas in public relations" (Wilcox, et. al. 125). |
|
No Author
Use shortened version of title |
Signal phrase, "quote" (shortened title page).
Full title = Right to Die |
One article states that, "A death
row inmate may demand his execution for notoriety" (Right 135). |
|
Electronic sources with no pages
Use author or title only |
Signal phrase, "quote" (author).
Signal phrase, "quote" (shortened title).
|
According to a study, "Twins
reared apart report similar feelings" (Palfrey). or
(Twins reared). |
SIGNAL PHRASES
Examples of signal phrases (Bedford Handbook 583)
In the words of researchers Redelmeier and Tibshirani,
"...."
As Matt Sundeen has noted, "...."
Patti Pena, mother of a child killed by a driver
distracted by a cell phone, points out that, "..."
"..." writes Christine Haughtney.
"..." claims wireless spokesperson Annette Jacobs.
Verbs in signal phrases
acknowledges
comments
endorses
reasons
adds
compares
grants
refutes
admits
confirms
illustrates
rejects
agrees
contends
implies
reports
argues
declares
insists
responds
asserts
denies
notes
suggests
believes
disputes
observes
thinks
claims
emphasizes
points out
writes
Paraphrasing/Summarizing
Paraphrasing/summarizing is restating the source's
ideas in your own words and sentence structure. Select what is
relevant to your topic, and restate only that. Changing only
keywords is not sufficient in paraphrasing/summarizing.
Completely restate the author's ideas in your own words. Use
signal phrases and continue to use parenthetical citations.
return
to top
Need more help? Call or ask at the Reference
Desk!
Montgomery College Libraries
Germantown Campus
(240)567-7853 |
Rockville Campus
(240)567-7130 |
Takoma Park Campus
(240)567-1536
| | 