In-text citation — English definition

Defined in 4 courses:

A brief citation within the essay, usually the author's last name and a page number, such as (Garcia 42). (English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry)
A brief citation inside the sentence, usually the author's last name and a page number, such as (Reyes 42), pointing to a full Works Cited entry. (English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences)
A brief in-sentence citation, usually the author's last name and a page number, such as (Okafor 142). (English 11: American Voices, Identity & Public Memory)
A brief in-sentence pointer, usually the author's last name and a page number, such as (Raman 12), that ties a passage to its full Works Cited entry. (English 12: Complex Texts, Independent Inquiry & Public Voice)

Where it is taught

Citing Sources: MLA Basics — Research & Source-Based Writing, English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry, Grade 9
Integrating Evidence & Citation — Research & Source-Based Writing, English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences, Grade 10
Citation & Academic Integrity — Research & Source-Based Writing, English 11: American Voices, Identity & Public Memory, Grade 11
Documentation & Academic Integrity — Research & Source-Based Writing, English 12: Complex Texts, Independent Inquiry & Public Voice, Grade 12

In use

Inside your paragraphs you use an in-text citation — a short pointer, usually just the author's last name and a page number in parentheses, like (Alvarez 118).
Citing Sources: MLA Basics

Inside your paragraphs, an in-text citation gives a short pointer — usually the author's last name and a page number in parentheses, like (Chen 118) — kept deliberately tiny so it does not interrupt the sentence.
Integrating Evidence & Citation

Inside your sentences you place an in-text citation — a compact pointer, typically the author's last name and a page number with no comma between them, like (Okafor 142).
Citation & Academic Integrity

Questions using in-text citation

Problem 1

Which is a correctly formatted MLA in-text citation for an idea found on page 23 of a book by author Marcus Lee?

(Lee, page 23)
(Marcus 23)
(Lee 23)
[Lee, 23]

Answer and explanation

(Lee 23)

MLA in-text citations use the author's last name followed by the page number, with no comma and no 'page' label: (Lee 23).

Problem 2

Which is a correctly formatted MLA in-text citation for an idea found on page 47 of a book by author Idris Bello?

(Bello, page 47)
(Idris 47)
(Bello 47)
[Bello: 47]

Answer and explanation

(Bello 47)

MLA in-text citations use the author's last name followed directly by the page number, with no comma, no 'page' label, and no brackets: (Bello 47).

Problem 3

Which is a correctly formatted MLA in-text citation for information on page 142 of a book by author Amara Okafor?

(Okafor: 142)
(Okafor, p. 142)
(Amara 142)
(Okafor 142)

Answer and explanation

(Okafor 142)

MLA in-text citations use the author's last name followed directly by the page number — no comma, no 'p.', and no colon: (Okafor 142).

Taught alongside

Elsewhere

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