How to Add Inline Citations in APA and MLA Styles: A Quick Guide
Learn how to add inline citations correctly in APA and MLA formats with this simple step-by-step guide.
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To add inline citations, first, identify the citation style you are required to use (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Then, after the quote or paraphrase, include the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses for APA (Smith, 2020), or the author's last name and page number for MLA (Smith 23). For more details, consult the specific guidelines of the citation style you are using.
FAQs & Answers
- What is an inline citation? An inline citation is a brief reference within your text that credits the original source of information or ideas, typically including the author's last name and publication details.
- How do I format inline citations in APA style? In APA style, include the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses immediately after the quoted or paraphrased material, for example, (Smith, 2020).
- How do MLA inline citations differ from APA? MLA inline citations include the author's last name and the page number without a comma, like (Smith 23), focusing on precise page reference rather than publication year.
- When should I use Chicago style for inline citations? Chicago style often uses footnotes or endnotes rather than parenthetical inline citations, but some variations allow author-date citations in the text depending on discipline requirements.