MLA Citation– Direct Quotation, Summarizing, Paraphrasing

When incorporating ideas or information from a source into your writing, there are three primary methods: direct quotation, summarizing, and paraphrasing. Here’s an explanation of each, along with examples of how to implement them in accordance with MLA format:

Direct Quotation:

When using a direct quotation, enclose the quoted text in double quotation marks. Include the author’s last name and the page number(s) from the source in parentheses immediately after the quotation. Here’s an example:

Atkinson states, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (45).

Summarizing:

When summarizing information from a source, provide a concise overview of the main points or ideas in your own words. After the summary, include the author’s last name and the page number(s) in parentheses. Here’s an example:

According to Johnson, climate change is a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention (25-27).

Paraphrasing:

Paraphrasing involves restating information from a source using your own words. After paraphrasing the information, include the author’s last name and the page number(s) in parentheses. Here’s an example:

Thompson’s study highlights that the adoption of renewable energy sources can have a substantial impact on reducing carbon emissions (112).

Make sure you maintain consistency in formatting and ensure that the in-text citations match the corresponding entry on the Works Cited page.

Examples of In-text and Parenthetical Citations

Provided below are examples presented in the form of a direct quotation, summarizing, and paraphrasing:

Direct quotation (In-text citation): According to Joan, “Climate change is a global challenge” (45).
Direct quotation (Parenthetical citation): “Climate change is a global challenge” (Joan 45).

Summarizing (In-text citation): Joan argues that climate change is a significant global problem (45).
Summarizing (Parenthetical citation): Climate change poses a global challenge, as highlighted by Joan (45).

Paraphrasing (In-text citation): According to Joan, the issue of climate change presents a formidable obstacle on a global scale (45).
Paraphrasing (Parenthetical citation): The global challenge of climate change is emphasized by Joan (45).

In all cases, the page number (45) corresponds to the specific location in the source where the information was found. Remember to adjust the page number(s) accordingly based on the source you are using.

Constructing the Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page is a comprehensive list of all the sources you have cited in your paper. It provides readers with the necessary information to locate the sources themselves. Below we have outlined the general format and specific guidelines for constructing an MLA format Works Cited page.

Formatting the Work Cited Page

a. Placement and numbering:

The works cited page should be positioned at the conclusion of your document, following the sequential numbering system used throughout your paper.

b. Heading:

At the top of the page, prominently display the centered heading “Works Cited.”

c. Inclusion of sources:

Include all the sources that you have either paraphrased or directly quoted in your paper on the works cited page.

d. Alphabetical order:

Arrange the sources in alphabetical order, primarily based on the author’s last name. In cases where no author is provided, the entries can be organized alphabetically by title.

e. Hanging indents:

Ensure that the formatting of the entries includes hanging indents. This means that the lines following the first line of each entry are indented.

Specific Guidelines

a. Capitalization:

Capitalize the first letter of the title and subtitle, as well as any important words. Articles, prepositions, and conjunctions should be lowercase unless they appear as the first word or immediately follow a colon.

b. Punctuation:

End each entry with a period and use commas to separate different elements of the citation.

c. Hanging Indentation:

Indent the second and subsequent lines of each citation by 0.5 inches to create a hanging indent, providing a clear visual distinction between entries.

Format of Entries in Works Cited Page

According to the MLA referencing style, the standard structure for an entry on the Works Cited page comprises the subsequent components:

The author’s name(s).

The title of the source, which could be a book, article, website, etc.

The title of the container, if applicable (e.g., a book within an anthology),

Additional contributors, such as editors or translators,

Version information, if applicable,

Number information, if applicable,

The publisher’s name,

The publication date,

The location details, such as page numbers or a URL.

Let us delve into each of the elements separately.

AUTHOR

The author’s last name should be placed first, followed by a comma and the rest of the name as it appears in the work. The author’s name should end with a period.

Example:

Harley, Ted.

TITLE OF SOURCE

The title of the source should immediately follow the author’s name. The formatting of the title depends on the type of source, with books being italicized and individual web pages or articles being placed in quotation marks. If the source is part of a larger container, the title of the container should be italicized and followed by a comma.

Book:

Harley, Ted. The Art of Writing.

Article:

Harley, Ted. “The Impact of Climate Change.”

Website:

Harley, Ted. “How to Start a Business.” Entrepreneur.

TITLE OF CONTAINER

The eighth edition of the MLA handbook introduced the concept of “containers,” which are larger works that hold the source being cited. Containers can be books, television series, websites, or other entities. The title of the container is typically italicized and followed by a comma.

Book:

Harley, Ted. “Chapter One.” The Book of Essays.

Television Series:

“Episode Title.” Game of Thrones, created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, HBO.

Website:

Harley, Ted. “Article Title.” The New York Times.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

If other contributors have played a significant role in the source, such as editors or translators, their names should be included after the title of the source.

Examples:

Book:

Harley, Ted. The Art of Writing. Edited by Jane Johnson.

Translation:

Woolf, Virginia. Jacob’s Room. Annotated and with an introduction by Vara Neverow

VERSION

If a source has a specific edition or version, it should be included in the citation.

Examples:

Book:

Adam, Chris. The Art of Writing. 2nd edition.

Journal Article:

Harley, Ted. “Research Findings.” Journal of Science, vol. 5, no. 2.

NUMBER

If a source is part of a numbered sequence, such as a multi-volume book or journal with volume and issue numbers, these numbers should be included in the citation.

Examples:

Book:

Harley, Ted. The Art of Writing. Volume 1.

Television Episode:

“Episode Title.” TV Show, season 3, episode 10.

PUBLISHER

The publisher is responsible for producing or distributing the source. If there is more than one publisher relevant to your research, list them separated by a forward slash (/).

Examples:

Klee, Paul. Twittering Machine. Museum of Modern Art

Book:

Harley, Ted. The Art of Writing. ABC Publications.

PUBLICATION DATE

If a source has been published on multiple dates, use the date most relevant to your writing. For sources with more than one date, cite the original publication date.

Examples:

Television Episode:

“Hush.” Buffy the Vampire Slayer, created by Joss Whedon, performance by Sarah Michelle Gellar, season 4, Mutant Enemy, 1999.

Journal Article:

Harley, Ted. “Research Findings.” Journal of Science, vol. 5, no. 2, 2021.

LOCATION

The location includes information such as page numbers for books or articles, URLs for online sources, or the name of a physical location where a work is housed, such as a museum or library.

Book:

Harley, Ted. The Art of Writing. New York: Random House.

Journal Article:

Harley, Ted. “Research Findings.” Journal of Science, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 20-35.

Website:

Harley, Ted. “Article Title.” www.example.com.