Parenthetical Citation… The easiest, yet most annoying, aspect of research…

When do I cite?  You need to cite every bit of information that you’ve read and summarized or directly quoted.  You need to cite every fact that is not common knowledge. (It may be true that most drug rehabilitation centers operate to capacity, but you need a source to prove it to be true!)

What don’t you need to cite?  Anything that falls in the realm of common knowledge... If you say that cocaine is one abused drug, you don’t really need a source for that statement.

How do you cite?  The author’s last name and page number go inside the parenthesis. Many professions require a creative outlook on society or on general operations, but few require the blatant ability to fabricate as that of the English teacher. Whereas all teachers must revise what is considered the truth in order to protect privacy or prevent classroom disruption, English teachers must reach for a special shovel and move piles of subjectivity daily as they interpret literature, evaluate writing, and synthesize style. Most English teachers do not even consider these practices as a perversion of the truth (Dover 24).

What about works without authors?  Usually, these will be articles or internet sites.  If you’re missing the author, use the next bit of information from the bibliographical citation.

Example:  Citation from Magazine article: “The Truth Behind the Lies” Bull Watch Mar. 2005:  Parenthetical Citation: When faced with the choice of lying or taking punishment, an overwhelming majority, approximately 88%, will lie if they feel that no one else will be harmed by their lie (“The Truth Behind…” 25).

What if there are no page numbers?  Don’t use any. If you’re using a printout, the pages will vary according to paper and printer. Therefore, you don’t have to give those page numbers (“The Way We Lie”).  Advanced MLA says to count paragraphs on all internet printouts. The citation would look something like (Smith pars. 4-8). However, be aware of this possibility in college. Most colleges give students a writing stylebook. Follow the given formats.

NOW…  An activity!  You’re going to play the role of reader of a documented paper as well as writer for this activity! (Evil Laugh)  (If you are accessing this activity online, please go the WORD document posted below this presentation!)