1. Citing Your Sources IN-TEXT CITATIONS
American Literature

2. Ways to Cite your Source in your Essay
These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing.
Quotations
Paraphrasing
Summarizing

3. Quotations
Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.

4. Quotations
To indicate short quotations (fewer than four typed lines of prose or three lines of verse) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks.
Provide the author and specific page citation in the text.

5. Quotations: Punctuation
Rule: Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation.
Exception: Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

6. Quotations
For example, when quoting short passages of prose, use the following examples:
According to some, dreams express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184), though others disagree.
According to Foulkes's study, dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (184).
Is it possible that dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184)?

7. Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is about the same length as the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.

8. Summarizing
Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.

9. Summarizing For example:
Smith, Yang, and Moore argue that tougher gun control is not needed in the United States (76).
According to Smith, Yang, and Moore, tougher gun control is not needed in the United States (76).
Tougher gun control is not needed in the United States (Smith, Yang, and Moore 76).

10. Works with No Known Author
We see so many global warming hotspots in North America likely because this region has "more readily accessible climatic data and more comprehensive programs to monitor and study environmental change . . ." ("Impact of Global Warming" 6).
"The Impact of Global Warming in North America." Global Warming: Early Signs Web. 23 Mar

11. Further Questions
For further questions about IN-TEXT CITATIONS in MLA, Consult The Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab

12. Works Cited
"MLA Formatting and Style Guide." Purdue OWL: Online Writing Lab. The Writing Lab at Purdue University, Web. 27 Apr < 7/01/>.