MLA In-text Citation Format | Online Homework Assignments
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MLA refers to the Modern Language Association. It is the most commonly used style by researchers and students to write their papers and assignments. Online homework assignments websites argue that it is very easy to understand and apply. Most online homework assignments require students to understand the MLA in-text citation format. Therefore, it is pretty common to bump into students online seeking writing help from online homework assignments websites. However, not all of them give accurate guidelines on the MLA in-text citation format.
More so, not all online homework assignments websites give all the guidelines for the MLA in-text citation format. Therefore, if you are looking for a writing website to help you with the MLA in-text citation format, try My Homework Writers. Our writers are experts with exceptional skills in the MLA writing style. They clearly understand the MLA in-text citation format and will offer you ideal help.
Definition of In-Text Citations
An in-text citation is information a writer uses to reference the originating author in the body of their work. Other online homework assignments websites acknowledge that in-text citations give credit to the owner of the ideas you are using. Any time you refer to the ideas of another author, you must include the in-text citations. More so, if you paraphrase or quote their ideas, it’s mandatory to document this in your paper by using in-text citations.
The MLA in-text citations are also known as parenthetical references. The purpose of the in-text citations is to ease the access of the references on the works cited page. This is just in case they require reading more about the work you are citing. Therefore, ensure you follow the correct MLA in-text citation format to avoid confusing the reader. My Homework Writers will guide you on the MLA in-text citation format.
General Guidelines of the MLA In-Text Citation Format
For you to clearly understand the MLA in-text citation format there’re various guidelines you ought to know. Here are the general guidelines of the MLA in-text citation format according to My Homework Writers:
- When you cite a document or source in your work, ensure that the in-text citation hardly interrupts your paper. This is to ensure that you convey the correct message, and also direct them to an accurate reference on the works cited page.
- Always ensure that the in-text citation appears in brackets. This is to show the reader that they are not part of the text. More so, it is to clearly show the reader where to proceed in case they need more content on the subject of interest.
- All the in-text citations should have well-written references on the works cited page. Thus, ensure that you correctly write the references for all your citations.
Features for an In-Text Citation in the MLA Format
For you to write an in-text citation in the MLA format there are certain aspects of your source that you should have. These features include the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number. However, the year of publication is not a must. You only include it if the instructor has asked you to do so. One major mistake students make is using the author’s first name in the in-text citation. This is very wrong. It only applies in other writing styles such as the APA. Instead, the MLA in-text citation format requires writers to use the author’s last name. Moreover, when it comes to the works cited age, the writer must then use the author’s last name. Without incorporating the author’s last name and the year of publication, your in-text citation is wrong. Thus, always utilize these two features for an in-text citation in the MLA format.
Writing the In-Text Citation in the MLA In-Text Citation Format
According to My Homework Writers, there are two ways you can write the in-text citation in the MLA format. Both ways are very straightforward, thereby making the process of the MLA in-text citation format very smooth. To begin with, a writer can only include the page number. This method is known as the signal phrase. Secondly, the writer can use parenthetical citations. By using this format, the writer must include the author’s last name and the page number. If the author is unknown, a writer should use the title of the work in the citation. This is the most widely used format. My Homework Writers will further discuss these two approaches in-depth.
Signal Phrase
In the MLA in-text citation format, one of the methods used is the signal phrase. The basic format is:
Format:
“Quotation “or Paraphrase (Page number).
For Example:
Measure numbers can point readers to the pertinent section of a source more precisely than page numbers: Mozart supplies a gently rocking melody for Figaro and Susanna’s private reconciliation (93).
The purpose of the signal phrase is to let the reader know that you are either quoting or paraphrasing ideas from another author’s work. Additionally, it lets them know exactly where you found those ideas from. This is very important especially if the reader wants to acquire more knowledge on the quoted or paraphrased ideas. The signal phrase is very essential for writers who write papers on literature with very many sources. If you require more help on this concept, reach out to My Homework Writers. We guarantee you quality online help.
Parenthetical Citations
Parenthetical citations are very common among students using the MLA in-text citation format. The format of this according to My Homework Writers is:
Format:
“Quotation “or Paraphrase (Author’s Last Name Page number).
For Example:
Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).
Note: There is no comma between the author’s last name and the page number. Additionally, unlike in the signal phrase, the parenthetical citation must include the last name of the author.
Quoting in the MLA In-Text Citation Format
Quoting is one of the methods used by writers in their papers. It means copying the work of another author word for word. When you use quotations in your paper, how you format them according to the MLA in-text citation format depends on the length of your quotation. Thus, always have the word count of your quotation before formatting it.
In the MLA in-text citation format, a writer must always use quotation marks (““) when they quote. In addition to that, include the signal phrase or parenthetical citation after your quotation. Most online homework assignment websites also argue that you should indent your quotation if it is long. Here is a guideline on how to cite a quote with various word counts according to My Homework Writers:
1. A Short Quotation
A short quotation is one with 30 or fewer words. To begin with, it should contain the exact words of the author in your text. To show your short quotations, ensure that you enclose your quote in quotation marks. Provide the specific last name of the author and the specific page number. In addition to that, ensure that you copy the punctuation marks accurately. They should be a replica of the punctuation marks used by the author.
For Example:
“Standardized tests ineffectively measure student intelligence” (Brown 42).
2. A Long Quotation
A long quotation has 30 or more words. More so, My Homework Writers state that it could be text in four or more lines. When it comes to quoting a long quotation in the MLA format, there are a few aspects that change. First and foremost, a writer should not use quotation marks. Instead, the writer should indent the quotation in a new paragraph. Start the quotation in a new line then afterward indents the entire quotation a half-inch from the left margin. Besides that, ensure you maintain the other guidelines of the paper writing such as double spacing, the font, and the font size one is required to use.
For Example:
Cancer begins with the conversion of a single cell from a “normal” phenotype into a perpetually dividing “transformed” phenotype. Carcinoma is cancer that originates in epithelial tissue, the cells that line the intestinal tract, the heart and the vasculature, lung, all ducts of the body (including breast lactation ducts), and the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). (Pardee 5).
How to Cite Various Sources
1. A source with One Author
Format:
(Last name of the Author Page number)
For Example:
Breast cancer is very common in most American women (Pardee 9).
Or
Pardee states that the most common type of cancer among American women is breast cancer (9).
2. A Source with Two to Three Authors
Format:
Last Name of Author 1, 2, and 3 Page Number)
Note: The names of the authors must be represented with the words ‘and’ and not the symbol ‘&’.
For Example:
Most communities in the world are identified by their different cultural practices (Mitchell, Thomson, and Smith 189).
3. Sources with more than Three Authors
It is common to find some sources having more than three sources. In such a case, you only use the last name of the first author. Here is how to cite a source with more than 3 sources in the MLA in-text citation format:
Format:
(First Author’s last name et al. Page number).
Note: there is no comma between the ‘et al.’ and the page number.
For Example:
Currently, there is no verified cure for breast cancer (Smith et al. 8).
4. Citing a Source with an Unknown Author
Not all sources have authors. Therefore, students might encounter problems identifying how to conduct the MLA in-text citation format in such a situation. In such a case, a writer is required to use the title. In addition to that, one must ensure that they italicize the title.
Format:
(Title [in Italics] Page number)
For Example:
In-text citations are very essential because they help the reader know that the ideas you are presenting belong t another author (A guide to citation 176).
5. Citing a Source with no Page Number
At times, the material you are using may not have page numbers. However, it may have other numbered patterns such as chapters and paragraphs. Thus, these are the numbered patterns one should use. In case you have such a source, here is the format My Homework Writers recommends a student to use:
Format:
(Author’s last name chapter) or (Author’s last name paragraph).
For Example:
Providing background information on a topic is important because it helps a reader acquire insight into your theme (Michael ch. 6).
Or
Entrepreneurs seeking to open new restaurants must first ensure that they acquire licenses from the public health department (Thompson para. 4).
Note: The initials “ch.” must appear before the digit to show the reader that this is a chapter and not the usual page number. Besides that, the initials “para.” Must also appear to show the digit represents the paragraph number and not the page number.
6. Citing a Source with Authors with the same Surname
Although it is not common, you might find a source with multiple authors with the same last name. This has made multiple students search for online homework assignments websites. According to the online homework assignments websites, what one needs to include is the initials for the first name. The initials for the first name must also appear in alphabetical order. More so, they must be written before the matching surname.
Format:
(Initials. The surname of the First Author) and (Initials. Surname of the Second Author).
For Example:
The best period to go for a family vacation is during summer (J. Smith 6) and (k. Smith 87).
7. Citing an Audio-Visual Source
Audio-visual sources are becoming common sources of reference amongst students. This is because they contain relevant information that students need for their assignments or research papers. If you are using an audio-visual source, here is the basic MLA in-text citation format to use:
Format:
(Author’s last name hours: minutes: seconds)
For Example:
For an individual to know their life purpose, they must first begin by discovering who they are (Burke 00:12:43).
Writing the Works Cited Page
The works cited page usually contains the list of references that one uses to acquire material for their essay or paper. Online homework assignments state that they should contain all the in-text citations one has in their paper. For years, students from all over the world have been struggling to know how to cite various sources. In addition to that, they have been facing problems with their MLA in-text citation format. If you are among such students and looking for online homework assignments websites for help: you are in the right place. Here is how to cite various sources in the MLA format:
1. A Book
These are the most commonly used sources by students from all over the world. They are often used to cite and reference. My Homework Writers recommends the format below;
Format:
Last name, First name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
For Example:
Chopin, Kate. The story of an hour. Jimcin Recordings, 1981.
2. A Website
Websites are also other means students use to acquire information. Here, students can acquire texts to either quote or paraphrase. If this was to happen, a student must always ensure they adhere to the MLA in-text citation format. After citing, it is also important to include it on the works cited page. Here is how to go about it;
Format:
“Title of Page.” NameofWebSite.com. Day Month Year last updated. Day Month Year accessed online
……….. <http://www.actualURL>.
For Example:
Fosslien, Liz, and Mollie West. “3 Ways to Hack Your Environment to Help You Create.” Huffpost Endeavor, Huffington Post, Dec. 7, 2016, www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/3-ways-to-hack-your-environment-to-help-you-createus580f758be4b02444efa569bc
3. A Journal Article
Format:
Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of Journal Article.” Title of Journal, vol. number, issue no., date, page range. Database or Website Name, URL, or DOI.
For Example:
Perin, Dolores, et al. “A Contextualized Intervention for Community College Developmental Reading and Writing Students. CCRC Working Paper No. 38.” Community College Research Center, Columbia University (2011).
4. Article in a Newspaper
Newspaper articles also contain relevant information a researcher can use to base their arguments or counterarguments. If one is using such an article, the format to use when referencing the article includes:
Format:
Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper’s Website(Should be in italics), publication date, page range, URL.
For Example:
Trembacki, Paul. “Brees Hopes to Win Heisman for Team.” Purdue Exponent [West Lafayette, IN], 5 Dec. 2000, p. 20.
5. Article in a Magazine
Articles in magazines also offer essential information regarding various topics. Thus, a student needs to understand how to cite them. Besides that, it is also critical for a student to understand the MLA in-text citation format. Here is the best format according to My Homework Writers:
Format:
Last Name, First Name of the Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Periodical, Day Month Year, pages.
For Example:
Buchman, Dana. “A Special Education.” Good Housekeeping, Mar. 2006, pp. 143-48.
6. A Review
Online homework assignments may also require students to only use content from a review. In such a case, a student must reference the review. Here is the basic format to use:
Format:
Review Author. “Title of Review (if there is one).” Review of Performance Title, by Author/Director/Artist. Title of Periodical, Day Month Year, page.
For Example:
Weiller, K. H. Review of Sport, Rhetoric, and Gender: Historical Perspectives and Media Representations, edited by Linda K. Fuller. Choice, Apr. 2007, p. 1377.
7. An E-Book
E-books are also very common sources used by students who have online homework assignments. They have become quite common over the years especially due to the online mode of teaching. If you have used in-text citations for an e-book, here is how to reference it on the works cited page:
Format:
Last name of the author, first name. Title. Title of container, Contributors, edition, e-book, Number, Publisher of the e-book, Year of publication.
For Example:
Troy, Ben N., et al. A Guide to Citation. 2nd ed, e-book, New York Publishers, 2010.
8. An Image
Online homework assignments may also require a student to use an image as a source of reference. If you are using an image as your source, here is the format to use:
Format:
The creator’s surname, other names. “Title of Image”. Website Title[must be in italics], contributors, reproduction, number, date, URL.
For Example:
Millais, Sir John Everett. “Ophelia.” Tate, N01506, 1851-2, www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/millais-ophelia-n01506.
9. A Chapter in a Book
Sometimes the work you have quoted or paraphrased is found in a certain chapter f a book. Despite teaching you how to write the MLA in-text citation format of a chapter of a book, My Homework Writers will also teach you how to reference it. Here is the format most online homework assignments websites use:
Format:
Last Name, First Name. “Chapter Title” (must be in quotation marks) Title of Book, Contributors, The Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Year, Page range.
For Example:
Mitchell, James A. “MLA Citation”. A Guide to Citation, My London Publisher, 2017, pp. 107-134
10. An Edited Book
Although they are quite common, most students have problems referencing them. Additionally, most students do not also know how to write the MLA in-text citation format. MY Homework Writers is offering online help on both. Here is how to cite an edited book in the MLA writing style:
Format:
Last name, first name. Title. Title of the container, edited by Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Year of publication.
For Example:
Troy, Ben N., editor, and Mary Smith. A Guide to Citation Rules. Oxford Publishers, 2015.
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