IN-TEXT CITATION MLA FORMAT (PARENTHETICAL CITATION)

IN-TEXT CITATIONMLA FORMAT

(PARENTHETICAL CITATION)

WHAT IS PARENTHETICAL CITATION?

Parenthetical Citation is the inclusion of source information into the text of a research paper with the intention of giving credit to the source. This information is contained within parentheses ( ), resulting in its name, in order to set it apart from the rest of the text.

A Bibliography alone does not give adequate credit to a source; without Parenthetical Citation, the writing is considered PLAGIARIZED, and therefore will not be accepted.

GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES

Parenthetical Citations typically separate paraphrased source information within body paragraphs in a paper.

If all of the information within a body paragraph comes from a single source, then it is acceptable to put the parenthetical citation at the end of the paragraph.

However, whenever source information is quoted, instead of paraphrased, a parenthetical citation is needed IMMEDIATELY after the quotation.

GENERAL TIP – SIGNAL PHRASE

While learning the various citation rules for a myriad of sources can be overwhelming, it helps to remember this GENERAL TIP:

The SIGNAL PHRASE should ALWAYS reflect the beginning of a source’s bibliographical citation.

The Signal Phrase is the information contained within the parenthetical citation, such as: author’s last name OR title of the source and page number(s), if applicable. In the following series of examples, compare the Signal Phrase to the beginning information in the bibliographical citation.

PARENTHETICAL CITATION EXAMPLES

CITING A BOOK WITH AUTHORAND PAGE NUMBER(S):

Smoke inhalation, through either first or second-hand, is one of the leading causes of lung cancer (Stewart 12).

- OR - According to Stewart, smoke inhalation, through either

first or second-hand, is one of the leading causes of lung cancer (12).

Use the following bibliographical book citation as a reference for the in-text citation examples above:

Stewart, David J. Lung Cancer: Prevention, Management, and Emerging Therapies. First ed. New York: Humana, 2010. Print.

CITING A BOOK WITH PAGE NUMBER(S) BUT NO AUTHOR:

In addition to medical prescriptions, therapy treatments, and a combination of relaxation and exercise, the support of loved ones is pivotal to overcoming cancer (Cancer Caregiving 12).

- OR -The anonymous book, Cancer Caregiving A to Z: An At-Home Guide for Patients and Families, claims that in addition to medical prescriptions, therapy treatments, and a combination of relaxation and exercise, the support of loved ones is pivotal to overcoming cancer (12).


Cancer Caregiving A to Z: An At-Home Guide for Patients and Families.

Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society/Health Promotions, 2008. Print.

CITING A BOOK WITH TWO AUTHORS:

If operable, surgery is the best method to remove malignant tumors and cancerous cells on a patient’s lungs (West and Stanley 12).

- OR -According to West and Stanley, if operable, surgery is the best method to remove malignant tumors and cancerous cells on a patient’s lungs (12).


West, Brandon S., and Donna R. Stanley, eds. Lung Cancer

Treatment. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science, 2011. Print.

CITING AN EBSCO DATABASE SOURCE WITH AUTHOR AND PAGE NUMBERS:

Defying modern medical science, some cancer patients claim to have eliminated their malignant tumors through a diet of healthy and nutritional foods combined with a regimented exercise program. In addition to their new eating and exercise habits, these cancer patients developed a positive and strong mindset toward beating their once-fatal illness (Lenzer 54-73).

Use the following bibliographical database citation as a reference for the in-text citation example:

Lenzer, Jeanne. "Citizen, HEAL Thyself." Discover Sept. 2007: 54-73. Middle Search Plus. Web. 14 Oct. 2011.

CITING AN EBSCO DATABASE SOURCE WITH PAGE NUMBERS BUT NO AUTHOR:

To nobody’s surprise, research conducted by tobacco companies revealed that there is a direct link between tobacco smoke inhalation and the development of lung cancer (“Study: Tobacco Firms” 07a).

Use the following bibliographical database citation as a reference for the in-text citation example:

"Study: Tobacco Firms' Own Research Showed Dangers." USA Today 29 Sept. 2011: 07a. Middle Search Plus. Web. 12 Oct. 2011.

CITING A WEBSITE SOURCE WITH NO AUTHOR OR PAGE NUMBERS:

While known for its harmful and fatal exposure, certain

amounts of radiation injected into the body of a cancer patient has the potential to destroy cancerous cells, causing the cancer to go into remission (“Lung Cancer”).

Use the following bibliographical website citation as a

reference for the in-text citation example above:"Lung Cancer." RadiologyInfo - The Radiology Information

Resource for Patients. Radiological Society of North America, Inc, 24 June 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://www.radiologyinfo.org>.

CITING A WEBSITE SOURCE WITH AUTHOR BUT NO PAGE NUMBERS:

The best strategy for fighting lung cancer, or any cancer for that matter, is to be vigilant. As far as lung cancer detection is concerned, CT (Computed Tomography) Scans have proven to be a viable option for early detection (Kane).

Use the following bibliographical website citation as a reference for the in-text citation example above:

Kane, Jason. "CT Scans Can Help Reduce Lung Cancer Deaths,

Study Finds." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Knight Foundation, 29 June 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org>.

IN-TEXT CITATIONMLA FORMAT

PARENTHETICAL CITATION FOR QUOTATIONS

CITING A QUOTE FROM THE AUTHOR OF A SOURCE:

“Smoke inhalation, through either first or second-hand, is one of the leading causes of lung cancer” (Stewart 12).

- OR -According to Stewart, “Smoke inhalation, through either first or second-hand, is one of the leading causes of lung cancer” (12).


Stewart, David J. Lung Cancer: Prevention, Management, and

Emerging Therapies. First ed. New York: Humana, 2010. Print.

CITING A QUOTE FROM A SOURCE WITH NO AUTHOR:

“In addition to medical prescriptions, therapy treatments, and a combination of relaxation and exercise, the support of loved ones is pivotal to overcoming cancer” (Cancer Caregiving 12).

- OR -The anonymous book, Cancer Caregiving A to Z: An At-Home Guide for Patients and Families, claims that “In addition to medical prescriptions, therapy treatments, and a combination of relaxation and exercise, the support of loved ones is pivotal to overcoming cancer” (12).


Cancer Caregiving A to Z: An At-Home Guide for Patients and Families.

Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society/Health Promotions, 2008. Print.

CITING A QUOTE FROM SOMEONE WHO IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF THE SOURCE:

According to cancer survivor James Jamison, “I decided that this disease was not going to define me. I would be the one to define me” (Lenzer 54-73).

Use the following bibliographical database citation as a reference for the in-text citation example above:

Lenzer, Jeanne. "Citizen, HEAL Thyself." Discover Sept. 2007:

54-73. Middle Search Plus. Web. 14 Oct. 2011.

CITING AND FORMATTING A LONG OR “BLOCK” QUOTATION (MORE THAN FOUR LINES OF TEXT):

Cancer survivor James Jamison believed that the cure to his cancer was in his own hands:

I decided that this disease was not going to define me. I would be the one to define me. I had heard so many stories of cancer patients who developed ‘bucket lists’ of things they wanted to do before they died. Well, I wasn’t going to accept that this

disease was going to kill me. So, with the help of my family and friends, I changed my lifestyle to one of health and happiness. I was feeling better, physically and mentally, and before I knew it, I was getting the good news from my doctor that my tumor was shrinking and my cancer cells were disappearing. (Lenzer 54- 73)


Lenzer, Jeanne. "Citizen, HEAL Thyself." Discover Sept. 2007: 54-73. Middle Search Plus. Web. 14 Oct. 2011.

OMITTING WORDS FROM A QUOTATION:

If a quotation is too long and you determine that you do not need a portion of it, whether that portion is in the beginning, middle, or end, simply type the quote and replace the portion you do not need with an ELIPSIS (…). Please view the example below:

According to cancer survivor James Jamison, “I decided that this disease was not going to define me. I would be the one to define me … So, with the help of my family and friends, I changed my lifestyle to one of health and happiness …” (Lenzer 54-73).


Lenzer, Jeanne. "Citizen, HEAL Thyself." Discover Sept. 2007: 54-73. Middle

Search Plus. Web. 14 Oct. 2011.

DEADLINES

Rough Draft due Monday, March 17, 2014

Documents

IN-TEXT CITATION MLA FORMAT (PARENTHETICAL CITATION)