Parenthetical Citations

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What is a parenthetical citation?

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A parenthetical citation is a method of citing sources within the text of a paper, typically including the author's last name and the page number from which the information is taken.

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When should you use a parenthetical citation?

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You should use a parenthetical citation whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize information from a source.

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What is the correct format for a parenthetical citation with an author?

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The correct format is (Author's Last Name Page Number), e.g., (Smith 10).

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How do you cite a source with no author in MLA format?

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If there is no author, use the title of the work in the citation, e.g., ('How A Vegan Diet' 5).

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Where should a parenthetical citation be placed in a sentence?

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A parenthetical citation should be placed just after the information being cited.

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What is the purpose of a parenthetical citation?

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The purpose of a parenthetical citation is to give credit to the original source of information and to allow readers to locate the source in the works cited list.

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What is the difference between a direct quote and a paraphrase?

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A direct quote is the exact wording from a source, while a paraphrase is a restatement of the information in your own words.

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How do you format a direct quote longer than four lines in MLA?

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For a direct quote longer than four lines, format it as a block quote, starting on a new line and indented one inch from the left margin.

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What should you do if you cannot find the page number for a source?

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If you cannot find the page number, you can omit it from the citation, but you should still provide the author's name or title.

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What is an example of a parenthetical citation for a book?

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An example would be: 'The future of technology is bright' (Johnson 45).