A successful MLA citation includes two parts. An In-Text Citation and a Works Cited entry.
Unless your instructor indicates otherwise, you should include both of these components for a proper citation.
In-Text Citations:
In-text citations (also known as 'parenthetical citations') are "brief, unobtrusive references that direct readers to the works-cited list entries for the sources you consulted" (MLA 227).
Works Cited Entry:
The Works Cited list compiles "each source cited in the text or notes of your project" (MLA 105). Each entry contains a set of elements that will allow the reader to find and refer to the source you borrow from.
What do In-Text Citations Look Like:
"An in-text citation begins with... whatever comes first in the [Works Cited list] entry: the author's name or the title (or description) of the work" (MLA 227). If a quoted or paraphrased work contains a "page number, line number, time stamp or other indicator" then that location marker must be included in parentheses (MLA 228).
Where do In-Text Citations Go:
The author's name "can appear in your prose, or in parentheses" (MLA 227). The page number must be included in parentheses (MLA 228).
Examples:
According to Naomi Baron, reading is "just half of literacy. the other half is writing" (194). One might even suggest that reading is never complete without writing.
OR
Reading is "just half of literacy. The other half is writing" (Baron 194). One might even suggest that reading is never complete without writing.
What do Works Cited Entries Look Like:
Works Cited list entries contain a series of "core elements - facts common to most sources like author, title, and publication date" (MLA 105). Each element uses a specific punctuation as well. When following an example citation, you should always strive for accuracy - do not change the format or punctuation.
Example Works Cited entries are available depending on where you retrieved the resource:
Journals & Periodicals
Books & eBooks
Websites & Web Resources
Credo Reference
Theology Resources
Where do Works Cited Entries Go:
The Works Cited list should begin "at the end of the paper, after any endnotes" (MLA 5).
"Center the heading, Works Cited, an inch from the top of the page" (MLA 5-6). Double space all citations. The hanging indent format is used for all entries (MLA 6).
The list should be arranged alphabetically, "by the part of the author's name that comes first in each entry" (MLA 219).
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