Skip to Main Content
Westchester Community College Harold L. Drimmer Library

Prof. Packer - Eng. 101 - FALL 2024: In-text Citations

What is an In-Text Citation?

In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper. The purpose of an in-text citation is to direct the reader to the full entries on your works cited page. 

In-texts citations create a path from:

  • the author's original work (the source) to
  • your paper using in-text citations to
  • your Works Cited page.

NOTE:  Every source you use MUST have both an in-text citation within the body of your paper and a full citation on your works cited page.

In-Text Citations for Number of Authors

One author (Wong 58)

Two authors (Lopez and Pabla 175)

Three or more authors (Friel, et al. 621)

When to Use an In-Text Citation?

An in-text citation signals to the reader that you are using an outside source, as opposed to your own ideas.

Use an in-text citation in your paper when you directly quote an author or when you paraphrase (putting the author's ideas into your own words). 

Note: The in-text citations are the same regardless of whether you quote or paraphrase.

 

Example: direct quote

“Orthorexia and anorexia nervosa share traits of perfectionism, high trait anxiety, a high need to exert control, plus the potential for significant weight loss” (Blackburn and Hogg 3).

 

Example: paraphrase

There is overlap between orthorexia and anorexia nervosa because women who suffer from these disordered eating patterns share some of the same traits: a need for perfection and control, high anxiety and the potential for losing a significant amount of weight (Blackburn and Hogg 3).

 

Example: full entry on works cited page

Blackburn, Madison R., and Rachel C. Hogg. “#ForYou? The Impact of pro-Ana TikTok Content on Body Image Dissatisfaction and Internalization of Societal Beauty Standards.” PLoS ONE, vol. 19, no. 8, Aug. 2024, pp. 1–29. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307597.

 

Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence!

Westchester Community College provides accessible, high quality and affordable education to meet the needs of our diverse community. We are committed to student success, academic excellence, workforce development, economic development and lifelong learning.

MyWCC
Facebook Facebook Facebook Facebook Facebook

75 Grasslands Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
Tel: (914) 606-6600