MLA Citation Style

An in-text citation is a reference made within your academic writing to acknowledge the source of information, ideas, or quotes used.

In MLA Style, in-text citations can be used in your prose or parentheses. In-text citations that include the relevant source information inside parentheses are called parenthetical citations.

General Guidelines

• The source information required in the parenthetical citation depends upon the following:
  • the source medium (e.g., print, electronic/web)
  • the source's entry on the Works Cited page

  Example 1

  Citation in prose

  Naomi Baron broke new ground on the subject.

  Parenthetical citation

  At least one researcher has broken new ground on the subject (Baron).

  Work Cited

  Baron, Naomi S. “Redefining Reading: The Impact of Digital Communication Media.” PMLA, vol. 128, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 193–200.

  From MLA Handbook, 9th ed., Ch. 6.2 Overview

  Example 2

  Citation in prose

  According to the article “Bhakti Poets,” female bhakti poets “faced overwhelming challenges through their rejection of societal norms and values.”

  Parenthetical citation

  The female bhakti poets “faced overwhelming challenges through their rejection of societal norms and values” (“Bhakti Poets”).

  Work Cited

  “Bhakti Poets: Introduction.” Women in World History, Center for History and New Media, chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/modules/lesson1/lesson1.php?s=0. Accessed 20 Sept. 2020.

  From MLA Handbook, 9th ed., Ch. 6.2 Overview