In-text citations (sometimes called parenthetical citations because they are in parenthesis), serve two main purposes:
1. Signal to the reader that an idea, phrase, or statistic did not come from you (avoid plagiarizing!)
2. Refers the reader to your works cited page where the full details of your source are recorded
They also lend credibility to what you have to say. Sources show that you did your research and are informed about your topic.
| Quotation with the author's name in text | Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: (263). |
| Quotation where the author is not mentioned in the text | Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). |
| Paraphrase with the author's name in text | Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263). |
| Paraphrase where the author is not mentioned in the text | Emotion plays an extensive role in the creative process (Wordsworth 263). |
| Works Cited Citation | Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. Oxford UP, 1967. |
Source: Purdue OWL MLA Style Guide