MLA Citation 9th Edition

According to The Modern Language Association of America, "the in-text citation should direct the reader unambiguously to the entry in your works-cited list for the source - and, if possible, to a passage in the source - while creating the least possible interruption in your text" (MLA Handbook).

An in-text citation is generally the author's last name followed by page number in parenthesis, unless the author's name is stated somewhere in the text. 

Here is an example from MLA Handbook:

Quoting:

"He was obeyed," writes Joseph Conrad of the company manager in Heart of Darkness, "yet he inspired neither love nor fear, nor even respect" (87).

• The author's name does not need to be included in the citation because it was included in the text.

OR

Reading is "just half of literacy. The other half is writing" (Baron 194).

• Author's name is included because it was not mentioned elsewhere.

• When quoting an author
• When paraphrasing an author's work
• When summarizing a portion/whole of someone's work
• When using someone else's ideas

MLA Handbook. 9th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021.

"Quotations are most effective in research writing when used selectively. Quote only words, phrases, lines and passages that are particularly apt, and keep all quotations as brief as possible. Your project should be about your own ideas, and quotations should merely help you explain or illustrate them" (MLA Handbook, ch. 1.3.1).

Quotations need to be accurate. When quoting from an author, make sure you are quoting exactly as it appears in the text. It's okay to quote phrases and portions of sentences. "You may put a quotation at the beginning, middle, or end of your sentence or, for the sake of variety or better style, divide it by your own words" (MLA Handbook, ch. 1.3.2).

Original text:

Peter, trained in the Law and the Prophets as well as Jewish tradition, knew that he had to forgive his fellowman. He knew his duty. But what is the limit? Are there limits at all? Peter thought that he should go as far as seven times.

Quoted in research paper:

Kistemaker states that "Peter . . . knew that he had to forgive his fellowman" and "thought that he should go as far as seven times" (66).

It's good to introduce the author before you quote from their work - put quotes in quotation marks and follow with citation. An ellipsis can be used to omit some of the author's text if it is not necessary to include in the quotation. Do not omit information if it alters the meaning of the text. 

Block quotations are to be used when a quote runs more than 4 lines of your paper. Introduce the quote in a sentence beforehand with a colon, and indent the quote 1/2 inch. Quotations are not used in block quotes, and a citation is still included at the end.

Example: 

In The Parables: Understanding the Stories Jesus Told, the concept of mercy versus justice is analyzed in the parable of the unforgiving servant:

It is for this very reason that Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. He teaches that the exercise of mercy is not an occasional setting aside of justice. Jesus teaches the application of both mercy and justice. Too often we perceive justice as the norm that must be applied rigorously, and mercy as an occasional abandonment of that norm. We exercise this option as a "right," and frequently are commended for showing leniency. We recognize that justice has built-in provision for mercy, but on the whole we feel it is not to be shown too often. (Kistemaker 68)

Kistemaker, Simon J. The Parables: Understanding the Stories Jesus Told. 1980. New paperback ed., Baker Books, 2002.

MLA Handbook. 8th ed., e-book, The Modern Language Association of America, 2016.

Two authors:

(Smith and Jackson 115)

More than two authors:

(Smith, et al. 115)

Corporate author - Try to incorporate author name into text, otherwise use shortened form. For example, corporate author of The Modern Language Association of America:

(Modern 130)

Unknown author - Use abbreviated title in citation (books/longer texts should be in italics, shorter texts should be in quotations):

(Leaving 32)

("Understanding" 84)

Works cited has titles with different authors of the same last name:

(T. Smith 115)

Works cited has multiple titles from the same author:

(Smith, Looking 115)

E-books on e-readers or apps - use chapter instead of page number since e-books often have varying page numbers:

(Smith, ch.1)

• Citations for books on websites where page numbers are listed & can be found by the reader CAN include page numbers.

Same information is presented in more than one of your references:

(Smith 45; Thomas 127)

Bibles - Use Bible book (abbreviated), chapter & verse in citation:

(Gen. 11.9)

Videos:

("Culture & Worship" 01:15:15-01:20:03)