MLA CITATION (Modern Language Association)

Parenthetical References citation in the essay that refers to a quote or paraphrase Include author’s last name and page number of quote only. (Morrison 109) citation in the essay that refers to a quote or paraphrase Include author’s last name and page number of quote only. (Morrison 109) Placement: in parentheses at the end of the sentence outside the quotation marks before the ending punctuation

Ways to Cite Cite the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the source in parentheses. One historian argues that since the invention of television “our politics…have been transformed into congenial adjuncts of show business” (Postman 3-4). Use the author’s name in sentence, and place only the page number(s) of the source in parentheses. Postman reveals that since the invention of television “our politics…have been transformed into congenial adjuncts of show business” (3-4). Cite the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the source in parentheses. One historian argues that since the invention of television “our politics…have been transformed into congenial adjuncts of show business” (Postman 3-4). Use the author’s name in sentence, and place only the page number(s) of the source in parentheses. Postman reveals that since the invention of television “our politics…have been transformed into congenial adjuncts of show business” (3-4).

Embedded Quotes Work the quotes passage into the syntax of your sentence. Morrison explains that social context prevented the authors of slave narratives “from dwelling too long or too carefully on the more sordid details of their experience” (109). Introduce the quoted passage with a sentence and a colon. Commentators have tried to account for the decorum of most slave narratives by discussing social context: “popular taste discouraged the writers from dwelling too long or too carefully on the more sordid details of their experience” (Morrison 109). Work the quotes passage into the syntax of your sentence. Morrison explains that social context prevented the authors of slave narratives “from dwelling too long or too carefully on the more sordid details of their experience” (109). Introduce the quoted passage with a sentence and a colon. Commentators have tried to account for the decorum of most slave narratives by discussing social context: “popular taste discouraged the writers from dwelling too long or too carefully on the more sordid details of their experience” (Morrison 109).

Long Quotations Set off a long quoted passage (40 words or more) with an introductory sentence followed by a colon. (Rarely used) Toni Morrison explains how social context shaped slave narratives: The narratives are instructive, moral and obviously representative. Some of them are patterned after the sentimental novel that was in vogue at the time. But whatever the level of eloquence or the form, popular taste discouraged the writers from dwelling too long or too carefully on the more sordid details of their experience. (109) No quotation marks are used, and the reference goes on the outside of the period. Set off a long quoted passage (40 words or more) with an introductory sentence followed by a colon. (Rarely used) Toni Morrison explains how social context shaped slave narratives: The narratives are instructive, moral and obviously representative. Some of them are patterned after the sentimental novel that was in vogue at the time. But whatever the level of eloquence or the form, popular taste discouraged the writers from dwelling too long or too carefully on the more sordid details of their experience. (109) No quotation marks are used, and the reference goes on the outside of the period.

Ellipsis Use only to show nonessential information has been cut from the quote. … = within the same sentence …. = on the same page Never use at the beginning or end of quote, instead transition into or out of it. Use only to show nonessential information has been cut from the quote. … = within the same sentence …. = on the same page Never use at the beginning or end of quote, instead transition into or out of it.

Brackets Use brackets [ ] within a quote to indicate a change made To explain/clarify To rename a pronoun for understanding Maintain the integrity of the quote’s original meaning. Use brackets [ ] within a quote to indicate a change made To explain/clarify To rename a pronoun for understanding Maintain the integrity of the quote’s original meaning.

Incidentals If only one source is used in the essay, use only page numbers in the parenthetical references. If there is no author, use a shortened version of the title. For poetry cite line numbers in reference. For drama cite act.scene.line. For both poetry and drama, separate lines with a forward slash / within quote. If only one source is used in the essay, use only page numbers in the parenthetical references. If there is no author, use a shortened version of the title. For poetry cite line numbers in reference. For drama cite act.scene.line. For both poetry and drama, separate lines with a forward slash / within quote.