What Is An ITC (In-Text Citation)?
An ITC (In-Text Citation) is a brief reference within your text that points readers to the full source details on your Works Cited page.
ITCs are essential for avoiding plagiarism, allowing readers to verify sources, and enhancing the credibility of your writing. An ITC serves as a flag within your writing, identifying externally sourced material and directing readers to more complete information at the end of your essay or paper. The ITC appears within the Cite step of a quote structure using the ICE Method (see the Lecture Notes: Quote Structures Using the ICE Method page for more details).
When we talk about an ITC, we are really only concerned with the information inside the parentheses, to make sure it is accurate. It’s important to note that an ITC is not the same as a full citation on the Works Cited page. As a result, instead of using the full term “in-text citation”, we’ll use the abbreviation ITC in this course to differentiate it from the citations listed on your Works Cited page.
The Two Parts of an ITC
Using MLA format, an ITC consists of two key elements:
- The Author’s Last Name (or Title of the Work, if no author) – Identifies the source of the information.
- Locator (page number, paragraph, chapter, timestamp, etc.) – Indicates where the information appears in the original source.
Formatting ITCs
The information within an ITC will change based on the source.
Below, we provide some examples of how to format ITCs in specific situations.
ITC Basic Format
The foundational structure of an MLA ITC includes the author’s last name or title of the work and the page number from which the information is drawn, without a comma between them. ITCs appear in parentheses at the end of the sentence that includes the quoted or paraphrased material.
Example: Referencing a study by Thompson on page 204:
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- According to recent research, the phenomenon of social media addiction is on the rise (Thompson 204).
Multiple Authors
For works by two authors, list both authors. For works by three or more authors, include only the first author’s name followed by the phrase “et al.” “Et al” is a Latin abbreviation for “et alia” meaning “and others.”
Two Authors Example: A study by Harper and Foley on page 88:
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- The collaborative study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches (Harper and Foley 88).
Three or More Authors Example: Research by Wallace et al. on page 102:
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- The findings suggest a pivotal shift in the field (Wallace et al. 102).
No Published Author
If a source has no published author, MLA requires using the title of the work instead. You may use a shortened version of the title, if necessary, as long as a reader can easily identify the source on the Works Cited page.
Full Title Example: A journal article with no published author titled “The Future of Technology” on page 84:
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- The collaborative study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches (“The Future of Technology” 84).
Shortened Title Example: An article with no published author titled “The Impact of Social Media on Communication Trends” on page 22:
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- Studies indicate that digital interactions are reshaping human connection (“Impact of Social Media” 22).
Online Sources
For online sources without page numbers, include the author’s last name. If the author’s name isn’t available, use the title of the work.
Example with Author’s Name: Referencing an article by Kim:
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- Kim’s analysis underscores the importance of digital literacy in contemporary education (Kim).
MLA ITC Pro Tips
The formatting for ITCs in MLA can sometimes be confusing.
Here are some handy-dandy pointers to help you remember what to look for.
Three Rules To Follow for All ITCs:
- ITCs should only appear at the end of the sentence, following the quoted or paraphrased material.
- No comma or other punctuation appears within the parentheses.
- The order of punctuation changes depending on whether the ITC is used in a short quote structure or a long quote structure (see the Lecture Notes: Quote Structures Using the ICE Method page for more info about quote structures).
Short Quote Structures
In order to comply with MLA format, we must pay attention to the punctuation around the ITC. If the ITC appears as part of a short quote structure, then the order of elements (from left to right) is 1) quotation marks or quote (this element can be a direct quote or paraphrased), 2) parentheses, and 3) period.
Example: Quoting from Larson’s analysis on page 112:
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- Larson points out, “The trend is unmistakably towards renewable energy sources” (Larson 112).
NOTE: an easy way to remember this order is to use this memory aid: QPDot. Here’s how that breaks down:
Q = quotation marks or quote
P = Parentheses
Dot = period
Long (Block) Quote Structures
On the other hand, if the ITC appears as part of a long quote structure, then the order of elements (from left to right) is 1) text (without quotation marks), 2) period, and 3) parentheses.
Example: Citing a passage from Nguyen on page 243:
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- In the realm of digital communication, the boundaries between personal and public spaces have become increasingly blurred. This shift has not only transformed how we interact with one another but has also raised significant concerns regarding privacy, authenticity, and the very nature of human connection. As we navigate through this complex web of digital interactions, the challenge lies in preserving our essential humanity amidst the ceaseless flow of information and virtual exchanges. (Nguyen 243)
NOTE: an easy way to remember this order is to use this memory aid: TDotP. Here’s how that breaks down:
T = the text (without quotation marks)
Dot = period
P = Parentheses
This guide provides a foundational understanding of creating MLA ITCs for various types of sources and scenarios. By following these examples, you can ensure that your academic writing is both credible and well-supported.