MLA Parenthetical Citations

Parenthetical (or in-text) citations directs readers to a works cited list at the end of a research paper or accompanying a research project. The parenthetical reference usually includes an author's last name and often a page number, especially for direct quotes.

How to Do Parenthetical Citations

The purpose of parenthetical references is to give credit to sources that you use.

• Cite direct quotations, paraphrases, ideas peculiar to an author, case studies, statistics, and graphics, such as maps, charts, diagrams, and scientific research results.
  
  
• Place citations directly after the quotation or paraphrase and before the period (or other punctuation) that ends the sentence.
  
  
• Include only the author's last name and page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Do not use a comma between elements:

(Smith 271-272)

• Use the name of the source as listed on the works cited page if no author or editor is credited. For books and other longer works, italicize the title. For articles and other shorter works, put the title in quotation marks:

(Webster's Dictionary 38)

• If the author's name appears in the same sentence as the cited material, only include the page number:

(145)

• If more than one work by the same author is cited, use the author's last name, the first word or first few words of the title, and page number(s). Notice the exception: when a title follows the author element, separate the two with a comma:

(Smith, "Journey Home" 181)

• If a cited source has two authors, list both authors and use the word "and" (no quotes) between the names. If the source has three or more authors, list only the first author, and follow it with "et al." (no quotes). Follow the author section with the page number(s):
  
  

• (Anderson and Henderson 327)
  (Saunders et al. 162)

Examples of Parenthetical Citations

• Native peoples have little to lose by adopting these practices (Johnson 113).
  [Author's last name and page number(s)]

• Viviano sees advantages in this line of defense (3-4).
  [Cite only the page number(s) if the author's name appears in the same sentence.]

• According to police reports, there were no skid marks indicating that the distracted driver who injured John and Carole Hall had even tried to stop (Stockwell, "Man" 9).
  [When more than one work by an author is cited, also include the first word(s) of the source title.]

• As of 2001, at least three hundred towns and municipalities had considered legislation regulating use of cell phones while driving (Lawmakers 127).
  [If no author or editor is credited, use the first word(s) of the source title as listed on the works cited page, and include the page number(s).]