English Language Arts
Grade 8
15 min
Use intext citations with MLA formatting
Use intext citations with MLA formatting
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Explain the purpose and importance of in-text citations in academic writing.
Correctly format basic parenthetical citations using the author-page style for various sources.
Effectively integrate signal phrases to introduce quoted or paraphrased material.
Apply appropriate in-text citation rules for sources with no author or corporate authors.
Distinguish between common knowledge and information requiring citation to avoid plagiarism.
Accurately punctuate sentences containing in-text citations.
Ever wonder how writers prove their points 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 suppo...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
In-Text CitationA brief reference within the body of your essay that directs readers to the full source information on your Works Cited page.Many students find research challenging (Smith 45).
Parenthetical CitationA type of in-text citation enclosed in parentheses, typically including the author's last name and a page number.The study concluded that screen time affects sleep (Jones 12).
Signal PhraseA phrase that introduces a quotation or paraphrase, often including the author's name, to smoothly integrate source material into your writing.According to Dr. Elena Rodriguez, 'the brain processes information differently at night' (78).
SourceAny material (book, article, website, interview, etc.) from which you gather information for your research.A...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Basic Author-Page Format
(Author's Last Name Page Number).
Use this when you introduce information (quote or paraphrase) and the author's name is *not* mentioned in your sentence. The citation goes at the end of the sentence, before the period.
Signal Phrase Integration
Author's Last Name [verb] 'Quoted material' (Page Number).
Use this when you introduce the author's name in your sentence (the signal phrase). Only the page number goes in parentheses after the quote or paraphrase, before the period.
Source with No Author
('Shortened Title' Page Number).
If a source has no author, use the first one or two important words of the title (or the full title if it's short) in quotation marks for an article or chapter, or italiciz...
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Challenging
A student is paraphrasing a complex argument that spans pages 34 through 36 of a book by Hannah Arendt. The student has already introduced Arendt earlier in the paragraph. What is the most accurate and concise way to cite this?
A.(pages 34, 35, 36)
B.(34-36)
C.(Arendt, pp. 34-36)
D.(See pages thirty-four to thirty-six)
Challenging
A student rephrases a quote from Jane Goodall, changing several words but keeping the original sentence structure and core idea. The student does not provide a citation, believing it's now their own work. Why is this a form of plagiarism?
A.It is not plagiarism because the words were changed.
B.It is only plagiarism if the student copied the entire paragraph.
C.It is plagiarism because the core idea and structure still belong to the original author and must be credited.
D.It is only plagiarism if Jane Goodall is a living author.
Challenging
You are quoting the phrase 'cubism challenged traditional perspectives' from an online article titled 'A Guide to Modern Art'. The article has no author and no page numbers. Which sentence is perfectly formatted?
A.One of the key impacts of the movement was that 'cubism challenged traditional perspectives' ('A Guide to Modern Art').
B.One of the key impacts of the movement was that 'cubism challenged traditional perspectives.' ('A Guide to Modern Art').
C.One of the key impacts of the movement was that 'cubism challenged traditional perspectives' (A Guide to Modern Art).
D.One of the key impacts of the movement was that 'cubism challenged traditional perspectives' ('A Guide to Modern Art', no page).
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