How to Insert an In-Text Citation: APA, MLA, and Chicago Style Guide Tips
Learn how to insert in-text citations correctly using APA, MLA, and Chicago style guides with examples for quotes and paraphrasing.
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To insert an in-text citation on a page, follow the specific style guide you are using (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). Generally, place the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses right after the quoted or paraphrased text. For example, in APA style, it would look like this: (Smith, 2020). If you're directly quoting, include the page number as well: (Smith, 2020, p. 33). Adjust for multiple authors or sources without a clear author according to your style guide's instructions.
FAQs & Answers
- What is an in-text citation and why is it important? An in-text citation gives credit to the original source of information or ideas within your text, preventing plagiarism and helping readers locate the source.
- How do I format an in-text citation in APA style? In APA style, include the author's last name and year of publication in parentheses after the text, e.g., (Smith, 2020). For direct quotes, add the page number, e.g., (Smith, 2020, p. 33).
- Are there differences between MLA and Chicago in-text citation formats? Yes, MLA generally uses the author's last name and page number without a comma (Smith 33), whereas Chicago may use footnotes or author-date styles depending on the edition.