MLA in-text citations, every case.

The basic pattern

Put the citation at the end of the sentence, before the period. Give the first word of the Works Cited entry, usually the author’s last name, and the page.

• ParentheticalSleep loss harms memory more than students expect (Walker 112).
• Name in your sentenceWalker argues that sleep loss harms memory (112).
• A quotationStudents report “excessive daytime sleepiness” (Hershner and Chervin 75).

Every case, made by the formatter

More rules

• Two works by one author: add a short title: (Walker, Why We Sleep 112).
• Two authors with one last name: add first initials: (M. Walker 112).
• Two sources at once: separate them with a semicolon: (Walker 112; Hershner and Chervin 75).
• Poetry and plays: line numbers instead of pages, with “line” or “lines” the first time: (lines 5-8). Plays in acts and scenes: (Hamlet 3.1.56-60).
• Labeled locators take a comma: (Bernstein, par. 4), (Walker, ch. 3).
• Block quotations put the citation after the final period. See block quotes.

Common mistakes

1. A comma before the page. (Walker 112), not (Walker, 112).
2. “p.” or “pg.” MLA writes the number alone.
3. The period inside the citation. The period follows it: ...memory (Walker 112).
4. A year. MLA citations have no date. That is APA.

Questions