What Are In-Text Citations? APA & MLA Examples

In-text citations are an essential part of academic writing, helping you integrate the work of others into your own writing while giving credit where it’s due. In academic and professional writing, it’s important to always give credit to the original sources of information using proper in-text citations. Failing to cite sources properly can result in plagiarism, which is using someone else’s work or ideas without giving them credit.  

What is In-Text Citation? 

An in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of your text that indicates the source of information you have used in your writing. It typically includes the author’s last name and the publication year, and it directs the reader to the full citation in the reference list at the end of your document. 

Here are some tools that can help you create in-text citations: 

1. Citation Machine: This tool can generate in-text citations in various styles (e.g., APA, MLA, and Chicago) based on the information you input about your source. 
2. EasyBib: Similar to Citation Machine, EasyBib can help you create in-text citations by entering the necessary details about your source. 
3. Zotero: A reference management tool that can generate in-text citations and bibliographies in multiple styles. It also allows you to organize and save your sources. 
4. EndNote: Another reference management software that can assist with in-text citations and bibliography creation. 
5. Mendeley: Similar to Zotero, Mendeley is a reference manager that can help you create in-text citations and manage your references. 

By improving data citation practices, we can encourage data sharing and contribute to a more collaborative and informed research community.1 

What Are In-Text Citations For? 

An in-text citation in academic writing serves several important purposes: 

1. Giving Credit: It acknowledges the work of others that you’ve used in your own research or writing, demonstrating academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. 
2. Providing Context: It helps readers locate the original source of the information, allowing them to verify the information and explore related ideas further. 
3. Supporting Arguments: It lends credibility to your arguments by showing that they are supported by reputable sources. 
4. Showing the Scope of Research: It demonstrates the breadth and depth of your research by highlighting the range of sources you’ve consulted. 

When Should In-Text Citations be Used? 

In-text citations should be used in academic writing whenever you incorporate information, ideas, or quotes from other sources. They serve several important purposes: 

1. Crediting Sources: In-text citations give credit to the original authors or creators of the ideas, information, or quotes you are using in your own work. This is essential for academic integrity and to avoid plagiarism. 
2. Providing Context: In-text citations provide context for your readers, indicating where the information you’re presenting comes from. This helps readers assess the credibility and relevance of the sources you’re using. 
3. Supporting Claims: In-text citations support the claims and arguments you make in your writing by showing that your ideas are based on existing research, theories, or evidence. 
4. Direct Quotations: When you directly quote a source, you must include an in-text citation immediately after the quote to show where it comes from. This includes the author’s name and the page number (for Chicago and APA style in-text citations)2 or just the page number (for MLA format in-text citation).³ 
5. Paraphrasing and Summarizing: When you paraphrase or summarize someone else’s ideas or information, you still need to provide an in-text citation to credit the original source. 

 Types of In-Text Citation 

In APA and MLA in-text citations, both parenthetical and narrative styles are used, but the specifics differ slightly between the two. 

In both types of in-text citations, the goal is to provide readers with enough information to locate the full citation in the Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) list at the end of the paper.  

How to Write an In-Text Citation? 

In APA and MLA styles, in-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of information you have used in your paper. Here’s how you would write in-text citations in each style: 

• APA Style: The in-text citation typically includes the author’s last name and the publication year, enclosed in parentheses. For direct quotations, you should also include the page number. Here are some in-text citation examples: 
• One author: (Smith, 2020) 
• Two authors: (Smith & Johnson, 2020) 
• Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2020) 
• Direct quotation: (Smith, 2020, p. 25) 
• MLA Style: The in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the page number without parentheses. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is included in parentheses. Here are some in-text citation examples: 
• One author: Smith 25 
• Two authors: Smith and Johnson 25 
• Three or more authors: Smith et al. 25 
• Author’s name in the sentence: According to Smith (25)… 

 Remember, both styles also require a corresponding entry in the reference list or works cited page at the end of your paper. 

APA Format In-Text Citations 

In-text citations in APA should be used whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize information from a source.  

Paragraph Content  

In-text citations in APA are used to give credit to the original source of information used in a paper. They typically include the author’s last name and the publication year, enclosed in parentheses, within the text of a sentence.  

Structure  

The structure of an in-text citation in APA depends on whether the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence or not. If the author’s name is part of the sentence, only the publication year needs to be included in parentheses after the author’s name. If the author’s name is not mentioned, both the author’s name and the publication year are included in parentheses, typically at the end of the sentence before the punctuation. 

Examples 

1. Author’s Name Mentioned in Sentence: 

• According to Smith (2019), citing sources correctly is important. 

1. Author’s Name Not Mentioned: 

• Citing sources correctly is important (Smith, 2019).

MLA and Chicago Formatting 

MLA and Chicago styles have distinct approaches to in-text citations.  

1. MLA In-text Citation 

• MLA in-text citation uses the author-page format. 

• The author’s last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken are placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence or clause, with no comma between them. 
• Example: (Smith 123). 

2. Chicago In-text Citation: 

• Chicago in-text citation offers two main styles: the notes-bibliography system (common in literature, history, and the arts) and the author-date system (common in the sciences). 
• In the notes-bibliography system, a superscript number is placed at the end of the sentence or clause, outside any punctuation. This number corresponds to a footnote or endnote where the full citation is provided. 
• In the author-date system, the author’s last name, publication year, and page number (if applicable) are placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence or clause, before any punctuation. 
• Example: (Smith 2005, 123). 

The major differences between the two are as follows: 

• Signal Phrases: 
  • MLA often uses signal phrases to introduce a citation, such as “According to Smith…” In these cases, the author’s name is not included in the parentheses at the end of the sentence. 
  • Chicago style also allows for signal phrases but generally uses them less frequently. When a signal phrase is used, the citation format depends on whether you are using the notes-bibliography or author-date system. 
• Use of Page Numbers: 
  • MLA typically requires page numbers for in-text citations, especially for direct quotations. 
  • Chicago style may or may not require page numbers, depending on the context and the specific rules of the style variant you are using. 
• Quotations and Punctuation: 
  • In both MLA and Chicago styles, punctuation generally comes after the citation. 
  • MLA uses parenthetical citations, so the punctuation goes after the closing parenthesis. 
  • In Chicago’s notes-bibliography system, the superscript number goes after the punctuation. 
  • In Chicago’s author-date system, the citation typically goes before the closing punctuation, though there are exceptions. 

These are some of the key differences in how MLA and Chicago styles handle in-text citations. It’s important to consult the specific style guide for the version of the style you are using, as there may be variations and exceptions. 

Dos and Don’ts of In-text Citations 

Consistency in citation style and early use of citations help maintain the flow and credibility of your writing, ensuring that you give proper credit to the sources you use. Here are some dos and don’ts for in-text citations.  

Dos: 

1. Do maintain consistency in how you format and style your in-text citations throughout your paper. This includes using the same citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) and following the same formatting rules for each citation. 
2. Do cite sources early and often in your paper. Introduce your sources early on to establish credibility and avoid the appearance of plagiarism. 
3. Do use a consistent citation method (e.g., parenthetical citations, narrative citations) within the same paper to avoid confusion. 
4. Do check your citations to ensure they are accurate and properly formatted according to the citation style you are using. 

Don’ts: 

1. Don’t wait until the end of your paper to start citing sources. Integrate citations into your writing as you discuss each source. 
2. Don’t mix citation styles within the same paper. Stick to one style consistently. 
3. Don’t forget to include citations for all direct quotations, paraphrases, and summaries, even if you have already mentioned the source elsewhere in your paper. 
4. Don’t rely on memory to recall where you found information. Keep track of your sources as you research and write. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is an in-text citation? 

In-text citations are references within the body of a text that acknowledge the source of information used in academic or scholarly writing. They typically include the author’s last name and the publication year of the source, often in parentheses, such as (Smith, 2020). These citations help readers locate the full citation in the reference list at the end of the document and give credit to the original author. 

• How to write in-text citations? 

In-text citations can be formatted differently depending on the citation style you are using (e.g., APA, MLA). Here are some general guidelines for citing in-text: 

• • APA Style: In APA style, the author’s last name and the publication year are included in the in-text citation. Example: (Smith, 2020). 
  • MLA Style: In MLA style, the author’s last name and the page number (if available) are included in the in-text citation. Example: (Smith 45). 

• When do you need an in-text citation? 

In academic or scholarly writing, it’s essential to provide in-text citations to give credit to the original authors and to allow readers to locate the sources you used. This includes: 

• • Paraphrasing: When you restate information or ideas from a source in your own words. 
  • Summarizing: When you condense the main points or ideas from a source. 
  • Quoting: When you use the exact words from a source. 
  • Referencing: When you mention specific facts, data, or findings from a source. 

• Where do in-text citations go? 

In-text citations can be placed in two main ways, depending on the structure of your sentence and the citation style you are using: 

Signal phrase reference: This is when you introduce the source in the sentence itself, usually by mentioning the author’s name. The in-text citation is placed immediately after the author’s name, before the punctuation. Example: 

• • APA Example: According to Smith (2019), “the sky is blue.” 
  • MLA Example: Smith states that “the sky is blue” (2019).  

Full parenthetical reference: This is when the source is not mentioned in the sentence and the full citation is included in parentheses at the end of the sentence, before the punctuation. Example: 

• • APA Example: “The sky is blue” (Smith, 2019). 
  • MLA Example: “The sky is blue” (Smith 2019). 

• Does APA have in-text citations? 

Yes, the APA style uses in-text citations to give credit to sources you have quoted, paraphrased, or summarized within the text of your paper. These citations are brief and include the author’s last name and the publication year of the source. There are two main types of APA in-text citations: parenthetical and narrative. 

Parenthetical Citations: These are placed inside parentheses within the text, usually at the end of a sentence, before the period. 

• One Author: (Smith, 2019) 
• Two Authors: (Smith & Johnson, 2019) 
• Three or More Authors: (Smith et al., 2019) 
• Group or Corporate Authors: (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2018) 
• No Author: (“Title of Article,” 2020) 

Narrative Citations: The author’s name is used as part of the sentence, followed by the publication year in parentheses. 

• One Author: According to Smith (2019), … 
• Two Authors: Smith and Johnson (2019) stated that… 
• Three or More Authors: Smith et al. (2019) found that… 
• Group or Corporate Authors: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2018) reported that… 
• No Author: The article “Title of Article” (2020) discusses… 

In both cases, the full citation of the source must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper. 

• What should in-text citations include? 

In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the page number (for direct quotations) or just the author’s last name (for paraphrased information) to help readers locate the full citation in the works cited or reference list.  

• Are in-text citations italicized in APA? 

In APA style, in-text citations are not italicized. Here are examples of APA in-text citations using both parenthetical and narrative styles: 

Parenthetical style: 

• • One study found that “the majority of participants preferred the new design” (Smith et al., 2020, p. 45). 
  • The results were inconclusive (Johnson, 2018). 

Narrative style: 

• • According to Smith et al. (2020), the majority of participants preferred the new design. 
  • Johnson (2018) found that the results were inconclusive. 

• Are in-text citations italicized in MLA? 

In MLA style, in-text citations are not italicized. They are usually placed inside parentheses (parenthetical citation) or included in the text (narrative citation), depending on how you incorporate the information into your writing. 

Parenthetical citation example: 

• • This is a sentence with a citation at the end (Smith 25). 

Narrative citation example: 

• • According to Smith, this is a relevant point (25). 

References 

1. Mooney, H. (2011). Citing data sources in the social sciences: do authors do it?. Learned Publishing, 24(2), 99-108. 
2. American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the american psychological association,(2020). American Psychological Association, 428. 
3. Reed, Y. (2021). LibGuides: Black History Research Guide: Citing Sources and Plagiarism. 

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