English Language Arts
Grade 8
15 min
Use in-text citations with MLA formatting
Use in-text citations with MLA formatting
What you'll learn
- Identify the key components of an MLA in-text citation (author's last name and page number) in 8 out of 10 examples.
- Apply MLA formatting rules to correctly create in-text citations for direct quotes and paraphrased information from a given text in at least 3 out of 4 instances.
- Explain the purpose of using in-text citations in academic writing and why they are important for avoiding plagiarism in a paragraph of at least 5 sentences.
- Evaluate the accuracy of 5 provided in-text citations, identifying and correcting any errors in formatting according to MLA guidelines in at least 4 of the citations.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the purpose of in-text citations in academic writing.
Distinguish between proper and improper use of in-text citations.
Construct basic parenthetical citations using the author-page format.
Integrate source material smoothly into their writing using signal phrases and in-text citations.
Apply correct MLA formatting for in-text citations when an author is unknown or a page number is unavailable.
Explain how in-text citations connect to a Works Cited page.
Ever wonder how writers prove their facts without just saying 'trust me'? 🤔 It's all about giving credit where credit is due!
In this lesson, you'll learn the essential skill of using in-text citations with MLA formatting. This helps you show where your information comes fro...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
In-text CitationA brief reference within the body of your paper that directs readers to the full source entry on your Works Cited page.The study found significant results (Johnson 45).
MLA FormattingA widely used set of guidelines for formatting academic papers, including citations, established by the Modern Language Association.Your entire research paper, from margins to citations, follows MLA rules.
Parenthetical CitationA type of in-text citation enclosed in parentheses, usually containing the author's last name and a page number.Many believe that 'the future is now' (Smith 12).
Signal PhraseA phrase that introduces quoted or paraphrased material, often including the author's name, to smoothly integrate the source into your writing.According to...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Author-Page Format
Most MLA in-text citations include the author's last name and the page number where the information was found.
Place the parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence, before the period, unless the author is mentioned in a signal phrase. Example: (AuthorLastName PageNumber).
Placement of Citation
The parenthetical citation should appear at the end of the sentence or clause where the borrowed information ends.
The citation should be placed before the final punctuation mark of the sentence. Example: 'Quoted or paraphrased material' (Author Page).
Integrating with Signal Phrases
When you introduce the author's name in a signal phrase, only the page number is needed in the parenthetical citation.
This helps to smoothly integrate...
5 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
A student paraphrases a concept from an online article by author Maria Jones that has no page numbers. Later in the same paragraph, they include a direct quote from page 82 of a book by David Chen. Which option correctly demonstrates how both sources would be cited?
A.The ocean's currents play a vital role in regulating global climate (Jones). Furthermore, some scientists claim that 'deep-sea vents harbor unique lifeforms' (Chen 82).
B.The ocean's currents play a vital role in regulating global climate. Furthermore, some scientists claim that 'deep-sea vents harbor unique lifeforms' (Jones; Chen 82).
C.The ocean's currents play a vital role in regulating global climate (Jones, online). Furthermore, some scientists claim that 'deep-sea vents harbor unique lifeforms' (Chen, page 82).
D.The ocean's currents play a vital role in regulating global climate (Jones). Furthermore, some scientists claim that 'deep-sea vents harbor unique lifeforms' (David Chen 82).
Challenging
Read the following paragraph and identify the sentence that contains a clear MLA in-text citation error, based on the tutorial. (1) Researcher Eva Rostova suggests that urban wildlife is adapting in surprising ways. (2) For example, she notes that raccoons have learned to open complex locks (Rostova 33). (3) 'These animals display remarkable problem-solving skills,' she explains. (4) This adaptation is a testament to their intelligence (Rostova 34).
A.Sentence 1
B.Sentence 2
C.Sentence 3
D.Sentence 4
Challenging
A student cites a quote from page 67 of a book by Dr. Evans as: The evidence was 'overwhelming and could not be ignored' (Evans, p. 67). Based on the specific core rules in the tutorial, what are the two distinct formatting errors in this parenthetical citation?
A.The author's title, 'Dr.', should be included, and the period is in the wrong place.
B.The comma and the 'p.' are unnecessary and incorrect in MLA format.
C.The page number should come before the author's name, and it needs a comma.
D.The citation should appear before the quote, and it should use the author's first name.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Use in-text citations with MLA formatting"?
Use in-text citations with MLA formatting is a Grade 8 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Use in-text citations with MLA formatting?
You'll be able to: Identify the key components of an MLA in-text citation (author's last name and page number) in 8 out of 10 examples; Apply MLA formatting rules to correctly create in-text citations for direct quotes and paraphrased information….
Is "Use in-text citations with MLA formatting" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Use in-text citations with MLA formatting?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.