An in-text citation is an abbreviated citation within the text of your paper that directs the reader to the full citation on the Works Cited page. It creates a path from:
The source (ex., a journal article) to
The text of your paper using an in-text citation to
The Works Cited page
An in-text citation is the same whether you quote the source directly or paraphrase
Direct quotation: Copying the author’s exact words within quotation marks followed by an in-text citation.
“The associations between mild food insecurity and illness did not differ significantly by child age” (Schmeer 12).
Paraphrase: Putting the author’s ideas into your own words.
A child’s age was not a factor in the association of illness caused by mild food shortages (Schmeer 12).
The full citation for this source would be listed on your Works Cited page:
Works Cited​
Schmeer, Kammi K. “Household Food Insecurity and Child Health.” Maternal & Child Nutrition, vol. 13, no. 2, April 2017, pp. 1-13. Academic Search Complete, https://lib-proxy.sunywcc.edu:2590/10.1111/mcn.12301.
One author:
“The right to speak and read anonymously has played a central role in the history of free expression in America” (Rosen 168).
Two authors:
“The right to speak and read anonymously has played a central role in the history of free expression in America” (Rosen and Murray 168).
Three or more authors:
“The right to speak and read anonymously has played a central role in the history of free expression in America” (Rosen et al. 168).
