MLA CITATION GUIDE
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In-Text Citations
General Formatting Standards
Throughout the text of your paper, you should cite your sources whenever you are using information from them. There are two types of in-text citations: in prose and parenthetical.
Citations in prose occur when you’ve already referenced the author’s name in the sentence. (See examples below.)
Parenthetical citations should be used when you have not already referred to the author in the sentence. (See examples below.)
Sources with One Author
In Prose
Smith further states that chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream (15).
If there is no page number:
Smith further states that chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla.
Parenthetical
When it comes to ice cream, “chocolate is far superior to vanilla” (Smith 15).
If there is no page number:
When it comes to ice cream, “chocolate is far superior to vanilla” (Smith).
Sources with Two Authors
In Prose
Smith and Zhang found that some people enjoy both ice cream flavors equally (20).
If there is no page number:
Smith and Zhang found that some people enjoy both ice cream flavors equally.
Parenthetical
Though there’s much debate, “plenty of people agree that chocolate and vanilla ice cream are equally enticing” (Smith and Zhang 15).
If there is no page number:
Though there’s much debate, “plenty of people agree that chocolate and vanilla ice cream are equally enticing” (Smith and Zhang 15).
Sources with Three or More Authors
In Prose
According to Smith, Zhang, and Santos, ice cream is more popular than cake (32).
If there is no page number:
According to Smith, Zhang, and Santos, ice cream is more popular than cake.
Parenthetical
Many people enjoy cake but “ice cream is the clear favorite” (Smith et al. 15).
If there is no page number:
Many people enjoy cake but “ice cream is the clear favorite” (Smith et al. 15).
Sources with No Author
In Prose
If your source doesn’t have an author, cite the title of the source instead. You can shorten the title if it is very long:
According to Ice Cream: Everyone’s Favorite Dessert, ice cream’s popularity continues to increase (40).
If there is no page number:
According to Ice Cream: Everyone’s Favorite Dessert, ice cream’s popularity continues to increase.
Parenthetical
If your source doesn’t have an author, cite the title of the source instead. You can shorten the title if it is very long:
Though many desserts are beloved, “ice cream’s popularity sees no end in sight” (Ice Cream 40).
If there is no page number:
Though many desserts are beloved, “ice cream’s popularity sees no end in sight” (Ice Cream).
Edited Books and Anthologies
In Prose
Include the chapter author’s name, not the name of the editor:
Santos confirms that strawberry-flavored ice cream is less popular than chocolate or vanilla (29).
If there is no page number:
Santos confirms that strawberry-flavored ice cream is less popular than chocolate or vanilla (29).
Parenthetical
Include the chapter author’s name, not the name of the editor:
Though some people prefer it, “strawberry ice cream does not hold the same broad appeal” (Santos 29).
If there is no page number:
Though some people prefer it, “strawberry ice cream does not hold the same broad appeal” (Santos).
Government Publications, Research Reports, Brochures, and Other Corporate Entities
In Prose
As the Food and Drug Administration’s annual report confirms, ice cream is delicious but not nutritious (17).
If there is no page number:
As the Food and Drug Administration’s annual report confirms, ice cream is delicious but not nutritious.
Parenthetical
Not surprisingly, “ice cream does not contain high nutritional value” (Food and Drug Administration 17).
If there is no page number:
Not surprisingly, “ice cream does not contain high nutritional value” (Food and Drug Administration).
CITATIONS TAKEN FROM SECONDARY SOURCES
In Prose
Name both the original source and secondary source in your text. Use “qtd. in” to indicate that the original source was quoted in the source you consulted.
In Santos’ Desserts in America (qtd. in Perry 52), he makes the case that strawberry ice cream is a less popular flavor.
If there is no page number:
In Santos’ Desserts in America (qtd. in Perry), he makes the case that strawberry ice cream is a lesser flavor.
Parenthetical
Include the chapter author’s name, not the name of the editor:
Though some people prefer it, “strawberry ice cream does not hold the same broad appeal” (Santos qtd. in Perry 29).
If there is no page number:
Though some people prefer it, “strawberry ice cream does not hold the same broad appeal” (Santos qtd. in Perry 29).