How to cite using MLA

1. MLA In-Text Citations
FROM THE WRITING CENTER
@ THE A.R.C.

2. What are in-text citations for?
 To give credit to the original author of any
source used in your paper
 They point the reader to the corresponding
entry in your works cited page

3. The Basics
Usually you should include
the author’s last name in
parenthesis or a signal
phrase.
Example: “The impact of
jellybeans on happiness is
staggering” (Stomago).
Signal phrases introduce
your reader to the source
you are using.
Example: Hungray Stomago
states that “The impact of
jellybeans on happiness is
staggering.”

4. Sources with Page Numbers
1. Include the page number in
parenthesis after the author’s name
2. Put the page number in
parenthesis and the author’s name
in the signal phrase
If a source has page numbers (actual ones given in the text, not the ones your printer might
make), you have two options…
Example: “You might just as well
say that ‘I see what I eat’ is the
same thing as ‘I eat what I see’”
(Carroll 54).
Example: Carroll makes the point
that “You might just as well say
that ‘I see what I eat’ is the same
thing as ‘I eat what I see’” (54).

5. Sources with More than One Author
Like this: “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids” (Johnson, Philips, and
Gregory 78).
Or this: Johnson, Philips, and Gregory make the statement: “Silly
rabbit, Trix are for kids” (78).
If a source has three or fewer authors, include their last names in the parenthesis or single
phrase…

6. Sources with More than Three Authors
Like this: Tyler et al. conclude that “Whoopee cushions cause laughter”
(93).
And this: Tyler, Herman, Gabber, and Tolman conclude that
“Whoopee cushions cause laughter” (93).
Or this: “Whoopee cushions cause laughter” (Tyler et al. 93).
If a source has more than three authors, use the last name of the first author in the list
followed by “et al.”, or list all the names…

7. Two Sources with One Author
Like this: Yowman explains in one article that green is the
new pink (“In Fashion, In Favor” 54), but goes on to mock
the garishness of the color in a later piece (“Green Makes
Me Gag” 20).
Use the author’s last name in the signal phrase and put the title/page number in
parenthesis…

8. Sources with an Unknown Author
Like this: In the article “Techniques for Decreasing Stress Levels in
Adults”, actions such as fluffy blanket snuggling or penguin watching
have been discovered to lower stress.
Or this: Actions such as fluffy blanket snuggling or penguin watching
have been discovered to lower stress (“Techniques for Decreasing Stress
Levels”).
If a source does not give you the author’s name, put the title of the article in quotation
marks instead (longer titles can be shortened if needed)…

9. Conclusion
 Now you know how to cite a source with page
numbers
 How to cite a source with single, multiple, or no
authors
 How to properly give credit where credit is due