There are two formats for in-text citations: parenthetical and narrative. In general, the format is Author, date, page number. Note that a URL is not a scholarly citation.
- At the end of a sentence (Parenthetical citations): The author(s) name(s) and the publication year are in parentheses at the end of a sentence.
- Example for a paraphrase: This is a parenthetical citation for a paraphrase (Smith, 2014).
- Example for a direct quote: This is a "parenthetical citation with a direct quote when the source has page numbers" (Smith, 2014, p. 3). This is a "parenthetical citation with a direct quote when the source does not have page numbers" (Smith, 2014, para. 5).
- Within a sentence (Narrative citations): The author name is part of the sentence followed by the year in parentheses.
- Examples for a paraphrase: Smith (2014) noted that ...; In 2014, Smith found that ...
- Examples for a direct quote: Smith (2014) noted that "page numbers or paragraph numbers must be used in a direct quote" (p. 3). In 2014, Smith noted that "page numbers or paragraph numbers must be used in a direct quote" (para. 5).
Use narrative citations to put more emphasis on the author and parenthetical citations to put more emphasis on the information. But for better flow, especially if you have a lot of citations, vary between parenthetical and narrative formats.
Learn more about APA in-text citations by clicking here.
Examples:
For two authors
Parenthetical: Personality dimensions are effective predictors of university student reading preferences and behaviors (Schutte & Malouff, 2004).
Narrative: Schutte and Malouff (2004) identified personality dimensions that predicted reading preferences and behaviors in university students.
For three or more authors
Parenthetical: Most of the students in one study reported that they purchased a textbook they never used in the course (Kinskey et al., 2018).
Narrative: Although textbook costs are an important deterrent to purchasing them, Kinskey et al. (2018) found that lack of use was a bigger deterrent; 85% of students in their study purchased a textbook they never used.
For a group author (note second use is abbreviated)
Parenthetical: In 2018, eight people were killed every day in distracted driving related crashes (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2021). They estimate that is about 3,000 people a year (CDC, 2021).
Narrative: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2021) reported that in 2018, eight people were killed every day in distracted driving related crashes. According to the CDC (2021), that is about 3,000 people a year.
The reference page would list these as the sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Distracted driving. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. //www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html
Kinskey, C., King, H., & Lewis Miller, C. (2018). Open educational resources: an analysis of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities student preferences. Open Learning, 33(3), 190–202. //doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2018.1500887
Schutte, N., & Malouff, J. (2004). University student reading preferences in relation to the big five personality dimensions. Reading Psychology, 25(4), 273–295. //doi.org/10.1080/02702710490522630
Include a parenthetical citation when you refer to, summarize, paraphrase, or quote from another source. For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your Works Cited list.
MLA parenthetical citation style uses the author's last name and a page number; for example: (Field 122).
How to Cite a Direct Quote (92-105)
When you incorporate a direct quotation into a sentence, you must cite the source. Fit quotations within your sentences, making sure the sentences are grammatically correct:
Examples:
Gibaldi indicates, “Quotations are effective in research papers when used selectively” (109).
Remember that “[q]uotations are effective in research papers when used selectively” (Gibaldi 109).
If the quotation will run to more than 4 lines in your paper, you must use a block format in which the quotation is indented 1 inch from the left margin, double spacedwith noquotation marks.
How to Cite after Paraphrasing
Even if you put information in your own words by summarizing or paraphrasing, you must cite the original author or researcher as well as the page or paragraph number(s). For example, a paraphrase of Gibaldi’s earlier quotation might be identified as follows:
Within the research paper, quotations will have more impact when used judiciously (Gibaldi 109).
How to Cite Information When You Have Not Seen the Original Source (226)
Sometimes an author writes about research that someone else has done, but you are unable to track down the original research report. In this case, because you did not read the original report, you will include only the source you did consult in the Works Cited list. The abbreviation “qtd.” in the parenthetical reference indicates you have not read the original research.
Fong’s 1987 study found that older students’ memory can be as good as that of young people, but this depends on how memory is tested (qtd. in Bertram 124). [Do not include Fong (1987) in Works Cited; do include Bertram.]
How to Cite Information If No Page Numbers Are Available (220-222)
If a resource contains no page numbers, as can be the case with electronic sources, then you cannot include a page number in the parentheses. However, if the source indicates paragraph numbers, use the abbreviation “par.” or “pars.” and the relevant numbers in the parentheses.
One website describes these specific dragons (King). A solution was suggested in 1996 (Pangee, pars. 12-18).
How to Cite Two or More Works by the Same Author or Authors (225)
When citing one of two or more works by the same author(s), put a comma after the author’s last name and add the title of the work (if brief) or a shortened version of the title and the relevant page number.
How to Cite if the Author's Name is Unavailable (223-224)
Use the title of the article or book or Web source, including the appropriate capitalization and quotation marks/italics format.
example: (“Asthma Rates Increasing” 29).
How to Cite when you are Altering a Direct Quote
When you need to leave out part of a quotation to make it fit grammatically or because it contains irrelevant/unnecessary information, insert ellipses points, or three spaced periods ( . . . ). (97-101).
If you must add or slightly change words within a quotation for reasons of grammar or clarity, surround the change with square brackets (101).