Parenthetical Citation

In-Text Citation

The proper way to cite works

The Basics

• Include a reference to the author or title within the sentence or paragraph before the quote

• Use a parenthetical citation after the quote with the appropriate information

• It should flow, not jump out!

Poll

Which of these citations seems the smoothest?

• Shakespeare often write about romance, but it was not always positive: "The course of true love never did run smooth" (2).

• Shakespeare said, "The course of true love never did run smooth" (2).

• The text said, "The course of true love never did run smooth" (Shakespeare 2).

• "The course of true love never did run smooth."

Where do I put the name?

• The author's name can be included within the sentence.

• OR

• The author's name could be after the quote.

• The authors name only needs to be in ONE of those spots.

Here is an example of each:

• Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). 

• Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). 

Multiple Choice

Which sentences are cited correctly?

• Dr. Singh, a brilliant researcher, found that "many people fake being happy, but many end up actually being happy" (23).

• Dr. Singh, a brilliant researcher, found that "many people fake being happy, but many end up actually being happy" (Singh 23).

• A brilliant researcher found that "many people fake being happy, but many end up actually being happy" (23).

• A brilliant researcher found that "many people fake being happy, but many end up actually being happy" (Singh 23).

What if there are no page numbers?

• If the paragraphs are numbered, use that number instead.

• If there are no numbers of any kind, skip it.

Skip it, really? That doesn't sound right.

• Trust me, it's correct. You do not need the number.

• If it's given, great; if not, no big deal.

What would that look like?

• Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." 

• Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth). 

What if there isn't an author?

• Use the title of the article (or source) instead.

• It should be placed in the same spots you would have placed the author's name.

• This is the same if there is something generic like "Staff Writer"

Here are some examples:

• In the article, “Impact of Global Warming,” the author explains that “more readily accessible climatic data and more comprehensive programs to monitor and study environmental change...” 

• We see so many global warming hotspots in North America likely because this region has “more readily accessible climatic data and more comprehensive programs to monitor and study environmental change...” (“Impact of Global Warming”). 

Multiple Select

For the source below, which sentences are properly cited?

"The Flow of Water" by Earl James pages 230-245

• James wrote "water will always do what it wants...we just have to learn to adapt to it" (234).

• James wrote "water will always do what it wants...we just have to learn to adapt to it" (James 234).

• The author wrote "water will always do what it wants...we just have to learn to adapt to it" (234).

• The author wrote "water will always do what it wants...we just have to learn to adapt to it" (James 234).

Multiple Select

For the source below, which sentences are properly cited?

"Why People Fight" by Actively Learn Staff

• It was well documented by the staff writer in the article that "not everyone is even aware of what causes them to lash out physically."

• It was well documented that "not everyone is even aware of what causes them to lash out physically."

• It was well documented in "Why People Fight" that "not everyone is even aware of what causes them to lash out physically."

• It was well documented that not everyone is even aware of what causes them to lash out physically" ("Why People Fight").