How To Do An MLA In Text Citation?

Put the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses after the quoted or paraphrased material.

Example: (Smith 23)

If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, put only the page number in parentheses.

Example: Smith says the idea is important (23).

If there are two authors, include both last names.

Example: (Smith and Jones 45)

If there are three or more authors, use the first author’s last name followed by et al.

Example: (Smith et al. 12)

If there is no author, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks.

Example: (“Article Title” 8)

If there is no page number, use only the author’s last name.

Example: (Smith)

Place the citation before the period at the end of the sentence.

Example: This is a quote (Smith 23).

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