In-Text Citation MLA in-text citations are made with a combo of single phrases and parenthetical references. A single phrase introduces information taken from a source (a quotation, summary, paraphrase, or fact) and usually includes the author’s name. A parenthetical reference comes after the cited material, often at the end of the sentence. It may include the author’s last name, page number, or both.

Author named in a signal phrase Introduce the material being cited with a signal phrase that includes the author’s name. If there are page numbers, include them in a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence. Punctuation should go after the parenthetical citation. Ex: Dover has expressed this concern (118-120).

Author named in parentheses If a signal phrase does not name the author, put the author’s last name in the parentheses along with the page number (if available). Use no punctuation between the name and the page number. Ex: This concern has been expressed (Dover 118-120).

Author unknown Either use the complete title in a signal phrase or use a short form of the title in parentheses. Titles of books are italicized; titles of articles are put in quotation marks. Ex: (“Article Title”). (Book Title). If a source has no author and is sponsored by a corporation, organization, or government agency, use this name as the author. Ex: (UW-Madison).

Two or more works in one citation To cite more than one source in a parentheses, give the citations in the order they appear in the sentence and separate them with a semicolon. Ex: (Cahill 42; Leduc 114; Vasquez).

Repeated citations from the same source If you write a paragraph that quotes more than once from the same source—and no other source is quoted—you may use a single parenthesis after the first quotation/paraphrase/summary. However, if your citations are coming from different pages, you should include parenthetical citations with pagination.

Citing Archival Sources Include as much of the following information as you can. 1) Author or creator’s name 2) Title of work 3) Date 4) Publication information (if applicable) Collection name 6) Box and folder information 7) Repository

Archival Citation Examples John Franklin Goucher Papers, 1850 – 1915. Special Collections and Archives, Goucher College Library, Baltimore, Md. “German American Insurance Company.” Advertisement. 1921. Nellie Tombs Papers, North Bay Regional and Special Collections, University Library, Sonoma State University. “Commencement Program.” 24 May 1987. University Archives, University Library, Sonoma State University.