Learn the Basics of In-Text Citations | Steps and Example

Imagine working hard on a paper, only to get stuck on how to cite your sources within the text. It's frustrating trying to remember where to put the details and how to format everything correctly. 

For students aiming to do well in their studies, getting the hang of in-text citations isn't just a hurdle; it's a crucial skill that can make a big difference.

Good news, students! 

This blog is here to help you through the confusion of citing sources. We'll break down the different citation styles like APA, MLA, and Chicago in a simple way, using examples to make it easy to understand. 

By the end, you'll know how to include citations in your work without any stress.

So, let’s get started!

What is an In-Text Citation?

In academic writing, an in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of your text that indicates the source of information from the reference list. 

It serves as a way to give credit to the original author and allows readers to locate the full citation in your bibliography or works cited page when you cite sources. 

In-text citations are crucial for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism.

When Do You Need an In-Text Citation?

You need an in-text citation whenever you use someone else's ideas, words, or data in your writing. This includes:

• Quoting: When you directly quote a source, you must include the quotation marks, author's name, publication year, and page number (if applicable) in your text.
• Paraphrasing: If you quote or paraphrase information from a source in your own words, you still need to provide an in-text citation with the author's name and publication year.
• Summarizing: When summarizing information from a source, an in-text citation is necessary to acknowledge the original author.

Types of In-Text Citation

In-text citations come in various forms, each serving a specific purpose and style. Here are four common types:

Author-date (Parenthetical) Citations

Author-date citations involve including the author's name and the publication date within parentheses. This style is commonly used in formats like APA citations and Harvard. 

Example:

• (Smith, 2018)
• (Johnson & Williams, 2020)

Author-page Citations

Author-page citations, typical in MLA format, incorporate the author's name and the page number where the information is found. 

Example:

• (Smith 45)
• (Johnson and Williams 112)

Narrative Citation

Narrative citations involve incorporating the author's name into the sentence, making it flow more naturally. This is often seen in APA style in text citations. 

Example:

• According to Smith (2018), the information is crucial for understanding.
• Johnson and Williams (2020) argue that…

Numerical Citations

Numerical citations use numbers to represent sources, usually in the order they appear in the document or in a specific order based on the bibliography. This style is common in scientific and legal writing, and is adopted by styles such as NLM, IEEE, Vancouver, and others.

Example:

• [1]
• [2, 5, 8]

How to Write an In-Text Citation

Writing an in-text citation involves incorporating key information about the source within your text. Here are general guidelines to follow:

1. Include Author's Name

For author-date citations, include the author's last name (and initials, if necessary).

Example: 

• (Smith, 2018) 
• Smith (2018) argues…

2. Add Publication Year

Include the years of publication in parentheses, separated by a comma.

Example: 

• (Johnson & Williams, 2020)
• or, According to Johnson and Williams (2020)...

3. Use Page Numbers (if applicable)

If you're quoting directly or referring to a specific page, include the page number.

Example: 

• (Smith, 2018, p. 45) 
• or Smith argues that "quoted text" (p. 45).

4. For Narrative Citations

Integrate the author's name into the sentence, followed by the publication year in parentheses.

Example: 

• According to Smith (2018), the information is crucial.

5. For Numerical Citations

Use numbers in square brackets to represent sources in order or based on a specific system.

• Example: [1] or [2, 5, 8].

6. Pay Attention to Punctuation

Place punctuation outside the parentheses or brackets.

• Example: (Smith, 2018). or [1].

7. Multiple Authors

For multiple authors, use an ampersand (&) when writing within parentheses and "and" when part of the sentence.

• Example: (Johnson & Williams, 2020) or According to Johnson and Williams (2020)...

8. Multiple Works

When citing multiple works, you can separate them with semicolons. 

• Example: (Smith, 2018; Johnson, 2020; Williams, 2021)

In-Text Citations Examples

Different citation styles have distinct rules for in-text citations. Here are some examples for some common formats:

• APA In-Text Citations

(Smith, 2018)

(Johnson & Williams, 2020, p. 45)

• MLA In-Text Citations 

(Smith 45)

(Johnson and Williams)

• In-Text Citations - Chicago

(Smith 2018, 45)

(Johnson and Williams 2020)

• In Text Citations - Harvard

(Smith, 2018)

(Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2018)

• In Text Citations - AMA

The study found significant results.¹

Do’s and Don’ts of In-Text Citations

In-text citations are essential for academic integrity, but they can be tricky. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when incorporating in-text citations into your writing:

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