How to Cite ANY Source in MLA Format (In-text Citations)

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Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to correctly cite any type of source using MLA format, also known as parenthetical or in-text citations. It covers various scenarios including citing books, websites, articles, and different numbers of authors, as well as specific formatting for direct quotes and paraphrased ideas. The video emphasizes the importance of connecting in-text citations to the works cited page to avoid plagiarism.

Highlights

Citing Classic Works, Multiple Authors, and Same Author/Different Sources
00:03:08

This part covers specific citation rules for classic works with multiple editions (page number; edition abbreviation), two authors with the same last name (first initial + last name + page number), two authors in general (both last names), or more than two authors (first author's last name + 'et al.' + page number). It also demonstrates how to cite two different works by the same author (author's name in introduction, shortened title + page number in parentheses).

Citing Multi-work Volumes, Religious Texts, and Sources within Sources
00:04:19

This section addresses unique citation scenarios: multi-work volumes (volume number: page numbers), religious texts like the Bible (version, book chapter.verse), and indirect sources (referencing a quote from one author found within another author's work – ideally, find the original source, but if not, use 'qtd. in' + author + page number).

Introduction to In-text Citations in MLA Format
00:00:00

This section introduces the concept of parenthetical or in-text citations in MLA format. It explains that these citations are used to give credit to original sources when incorporating other people's words or ideas into your writing, whether directly quoted or paraphrased, to avoid plagiarism. The main goal is to link the in-text citation to the full entry on the 'Works Cited' page.

Citing Sources with a Known Author (Print Source)
00:02:08

This part details three ways to cite a print source when the author is known. For direct quotes, you can introduce the quote with the author's name and end with the page number in parentheses, or place the author's name and page number at the end of the quote within parentheses. For paraphrased ideas, state the author's name and include the page number in parenthetical citation at the end.

Citing Sources without an Author or with an Organization as Author
00:02:37

This section explains how to cite sources where an individual author is not provided. If the source is from an organization, use the organization's name in parentheses after the quote. If no author is listed, use the title of the work. For short works (like articles), put the title in quotes. For longer works (like books or websites), put the title in italics. Titles can be shortened if very long.

Citing Online Sources and Media
00:05:19

This segment focuses on online sources and various media. For online sources, the parenthetical citation should include whatever appears first in the 'Works Cited' entry, often a shortened article title. For online magazines, use the author's last name. For general websites, include the website name in italics and the article name in quotes, without parentheses. Films require the director's name and the film's title in italics. Lectures need the presenter's name. Videos (like YouTube) should include the author's name, title in quotes, and a timestamp in parentheses.

Citing Short and Long Quotes, and Modifying Quotes
00:06:30

This section provides guidance on formatting direct quotes. Short quotes (four lines or less) are integrated into the text with quotation marks. Long quotes (five lines or more) are indented as a block quote without quotation marks. It also explains how to add words to a quote using brackets and how to omit parts of a quote using an ellipsis (...).

Review, Revision, and Editing Tips for Citations
00:06:54

The video concludes with a review of essential citation practices. This includes checking for all necessary details (author, page number, title), correctly formatting titles with italics or quotes, and considering paraphrasing to shorten quotes. It emphasizes the importance of explaining the source's credibility and ensuring consistency with the 'Works Cited' page.

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