1. The Logic Of How In-Text Citations Are Used By Readers
11th Grade Standard: Research
Students will be able to:
3. Determine the accuracy of sources and the credibility of the author by analyzing the source’s validity.
6. Use style guides to produce oral and written reports that give proper credit for sources, and include appropriate in-text documentation, notes and an acceptable format for source acknowledgement.

2. A Hypothetical Scenario….
Let’s say you are reading someone’s paper and come across information that you question or find interesting.
Example: Compared to people who text while driving, drunk drivers are less of a hazard on the road, according to a study performed by Notre Dame University in 2009.
Now, let’s say you want to find out where this author got his/her information. You want to see the study for yourself to believe it or to find out more information.

3. Hypothetical Scenario continued
IF the author has NO in-text citation, they could be making up this information (or plagiarizing it), so the reader doesn’t take the author seriously.
BUT, if the author HAS an in-text citation, then the reader takes the author seriously and can use this information to find the study himself.
Example: Compared to people who text while driving, drunk drivers are less of a hazard on the road, according to a study performed by Notre Dame University in 2009 (O’Leary 3).

4. Now what?
Example: Compared to people who text while driving, drunk drivers are less of a hazard on the road, according to a study performed by Notre Dame University in 2009 (O’Leary 3).
So, now that we have an author’s last name (or title of an article) and page number, how does the reader find the study for his/herself?

5. The answer is….. the Works Cited page!
The reader will skim the Works Cited page looking for the author’s last name (or title) that was located in the in-text citation  (O’Leary 3).
Here we go….

6. Works Cited
Adams, Courtney. “The Dangers of Cell Phone Use.” Technology and You Aug. 2009:
O’Leary, Thomas. “Texting While Driving.” Technology Studies. December 15, Notre Dame University. February 13, 2010 <
“Making Good Choices.” Responsible Technology Usage. Updated February 1, Mothers Against Distracted Driving. February 10, 2010 <

7. So, Let’s Recap….
When you include an in-text citation, what goes in the parenthesis?
How many in-text citations do you need for your paper?
Why are in-text citations important?
How many works cited entries do you need for your paper?
As a reader, how do you find the works cited entry you’re looking for?

8. List of Requirements 10 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font
5 works cited entries
10 in-text citations
Title page and outline (not included in page count)
Works Cited
Proper format (last name and page number at top right, etc.)
No 1st person pronouns (I, me, etc.)
Any topic (essential questions approved)