In-Text Citations:  Incorporating Into Paragraphs

Tutorial by:  Patricia Ann King, MLS  Questions to:  Kingp@wmasd.org

How do I write an in-text citation?
*Always remember that in-texts are based on the citations on your Works Cited and Consulted page, so you have to finish
      that page before you write your in-texts.
*Click here to review how to format an in-text citation!
READ FIRST!
1. The examples below are for how to incorporate in-texts into your actual paragraphs.
2.  If your citation does not have an author listed, then you follow Example 1 (direct quote) or
         Example 3 (paraphrase).
3.  If your article has an author listed, then decide which example fits the style of writing that you used.

*This is the Works Cited and Consulted citation for the magazine article cited in the examples below:
Horgan, Mary Kate. “The Big Queasy: Getting Over Coaster Phobia.” Good Housekeeping, vol. 229, no. 1, July 1999, p. 146+. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCO, 2016, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=uid&db=f5h&AN=1942606&site=ehost-live.
This is the original text from the magazine article:
Picture yourself enjoying the strange sensations. Remember when you spun around in circles as a kid to make yourself feel dizzy? People who love coasters become exhilarated--rather than spooked--by the rolls and loops. And this can still be a fun feeling if you're willing to let go.

Outsmart the "scare factor." The tight turns and sudden drops are just illusions of danger that are totally planned. The odds of a serious injury on any amusement-park ride are about one in four million--you're eight times more likely to be hurt while using a TV set--and most injuries are caused by horseplay.  

Example 1: (Writer uses a direct quote but does not mention the source.)
It is often difficult for people who fear roller coasters to even find the courage to get into a line.  Even after being told that “you're eight times more likely to be hurt while using a TV set,” many coaster phobic riders will still not take the leap of faith needed to pursue the “illusions of danger” that the coaster designers have so carefully planned (Horgan 1).

First word of citation and page number of the original words.

Example 2:  (Writer uses a direct quote and mentions the source.)
It is often difficult for people who fear roller coasters to even find the courage to get into a line.  According to Mary Kate Horgan, “you're eight times more likely to be hurt while using a TV set” (1).  Understanding the safety issues of roller coasters can be the correct first step to overcoming coaster  phobia.

Since the author's name was mentioned in the sentence,
just put the page number of the original words that you borrowed.

Example 4:  (Writer paraphrases an idea from the article and mentions the source.)
It is often difficult for people who fear roller coasters to even find the courage to get into a line.  Considering the safety issues, such as that many coaster accidents are caused by riders not following safety rules, Horgan explains that riders have a greater chance of being injured by their home television sets than by a  roller coaster (1).  Understanding the safety issues of roller coasters can be the correct first step to overcoming coaster phobia.

Since the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, just put the
page number of the original idea that you paraphrased.

Example 3:  (Writer paraphrases an idea from the article but does not mention the source.)
It is often difficult for people who fear roller coasters to even find the courage to get into a line.  Riders have a greater chance of being injured by their home television sets than a roller coaster (Horgan 1).  Understanding the safety issues of roller coasters can be the correct first step to overcoming coaster phobia.

First word of citation and page number of the original idea.