How to Cite Sources in a Literary Analysis Essay

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How to Cite Sources in a Literary Analysis Essay

Proper citation of sources is crucial in a literary analysis essay to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Here’s how to cite sources effectively:

  1. Choose a Citation Style: Most literary analysis essays follow MLA, APA, or Chicago citation styles. Check with your instructor to confirm which style you should use.

  2. MLA Citation Style:

    • In-Text Citations: For a book, you typically cite the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses. For example, “Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy leads him to destroy his own happiness” (Fitzgerald 45).

    • Works Cited Page: At the end of your essay, list all the sources you’ve referenced. For a book, it would look like this:
      Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 2004.

  3. APA Citation Style:

    • In-Text Citations: Cite the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example, “The green light represents Gatsby’s unattainable dreams” (Fitzgerald, 1925).

    • Reference List: List your sources alphabetically by author’s last name. For example:
      Fitzgerald, F. S. (2004). The Great Gatsby. Scribner.

  4. Chicago Citation Style:

    • In-Text Citations: Chicago often uses footnotes or endnotes for citations. You would place a superscript number after a quote and include the citation at the bottom of the page.

    • Bibliography: List sources in a bibliography at the end of the essay. For example:
      Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004.

  5. Paraphrasing and Quoting: When you paraphrase a source, you still need to cite it. If you use direct quotes, make sure to use quotation marks and provide the correct citation.

By citing your sources correctly, you demonstrate academic integrity and strengthen the credibility of your essay.

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