Properly citing quotes is crucial for academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in humanities disciplines, and understanding how to cite quotes correctly is essential for any student or researcher. This guide will walk you through the process, covering in-text citations and the Works Cited page.
Understanding In-Text Citations
In-text citations, also known as parenthetical citations, are brief references placed within your text to indicate the source of a quote. They typically include the author's last name and the page number where the quote appears.
Basic Structure: (Author's Last Name Page Number)
Example: "This is a direct quote from a source" (Smith 123).
Handling Different Source Types
The basic structure can adapt depending on your source. Here are some common scenarios:
1. Book with One Author:
- Quote: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." (Jones 42).
- Works Cited Entry: Jones, Jane. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
2. Book with Two or More Authors:
- Quote: "The world is full of wonders." (Brown and Davis 78).
- Works Cited Entry: Brown, John, and Jane Davis. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
3. Website or Online Source:
If the website lacks page numbers, omit them from your in-text citation. You may use a paragraph number or section heading if available to aid your reader. If there is no author, use the title of the website or article.
- Quote: "Online sources are becoming increasingly important" ("Website Title" para. 3).
- Works Cited Entry: "Website Title." Website Name, Date of Publication, URL.
4. Quote Within a Quote:
Use single quotation marks for the inner quote and double quotation marks for the outer quote.
- Quote: "He said, 'This is a quote within a quote'," (Smith 10).
5. Long Quotes (Block Quotes):
For quotes exceeding four lines of prose or three lines of verse, use a block quote. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin without quotation marks. The citation follows the final punctuation of the block quote.
- Example:
This is a long quote that exceeds four lines of text and therefore requires block quote formatting. It demonstrates proper MLA formatting for extended quotations. Note the lack of quotation marks.
(Jones 15)
Crafting Your Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper and provides full bibliographic information for all sources cited. Each entry follows a specific format, consistent with MLA guidelines. You can find comprehensive guides and examples on the official MLA website (though remember, I cannot provide links to download official resources).
Key elements generally included in a Works Cited entry are:
- Author's name (or website name if applicable)
- Title of work
- Publication information (publisher, date, website URL, etc.)
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Remember to always consult the most up-to-date MLA Handbook for the latest guidelines. Accurate and consistent citation is crucial for academic success.
