In-Text Citation Lesson

Any time you use an example (paraphrased, summarized or directly quoted information from one of your sources within the text of your essay), you must also use an in-text citation.

Formatting In-text Citations (listed in order from best case scenario to worst case scenario)

  • Include the author’s last name and page number for the source used
  • (Burke 7) or (National Geographic 23)
  • If no page number, just list the author
  • (Amnesty International) or (Kaminsky)
  • If no author, list the source’s abbreviated title and page number
  • (Eating Disorders Exposed 89) or (Libyan Turmoil 17)
  • If no author and no page number, just list the abbreviated title
  • (Dictators for Dummies) or (Human Rights in China)

Punctuating In-text Citations…

  • The citation follows the paraphrased, summarized or directly quoted information
  • The citation is part of the sentence- ending punctuation comes after the last parenthesis
  • If a direct quote is used, the citation comes after the ending quotation marks

“ESPN spoke to five general managers who did not know a steroids ban even existed” (Farrey 93).

Sixty-six percent of MLB players think that players should not keep their records or be inducted into the Hall of Fame if they test positive for steroid use (Steroids Stink).

Have additional questions or a scenario not covered here (multiple authors, corporate authors, etc.)? Please visit:

In-Text Citation Practice

Directions: Use the numbered sources below to practice creating in-text citations for the four paraphrased, summarized and directly quoted examples (# 1-4).

Source #1

Braxton, Sarah. "The Chief's Fate." Student News. 28 Feb. 2007. University of Illinois Alumni Association. 30 Apr. 2009 <

Source #2

Jackson, Steven. I Heart the Illini. New York: Random House, 2001.

Source #3

Markem, Mary Ann. "Chief Illiniwek Lives." Chicago Sun Times 17 July 2008, Sunday ed., sec. F: 2-3.

Source #4

"Missing the Chief." Time 8 Feb. 2008.

Chief Illiniwek is a very authentic mascot, from the clothes he wears to his name. The regalia, uniform of the

Chief, was provided by Chief Frank Fools Crow, Chief of the Sioux Tribe. On September 25, 1982, he came to the University of

Illinois and presented the school with a regalia that was made by his tribe for use by the Chief Illiniwek mascot

#1______This means that an actual Native American tribe not only created the Chief’s uniform, but gave

their blessing to its use. Therefore, its authenticity cannot be questioned. Also, the name Chief Illiniwek is also very authentic. In the

1920’s, Illinois football coach, Bob Zuppke, was inspired by the name Illiniwek which is the dialect of the Algonquin tribe. Illiniwek

means “the complete human being- the strong, agile human body; the unfettered human intellect; the indomitable human spirit”

#2______Although Chief Illiniwek was not an actual Chief, the name Illiniwek is representative of the

dignity, pride and respect of Native people, but also of all human beings. Therefore, the Chief Illiniwek mascot cannot possibly create

racial controversy.

Although critics believe that Chief Illiniwek misrepresents and perpetuates stereotypes about Native peoples, he is actually

accepted by and unites minorities. Chief Illiniwek helps attract minority students to the University of Illinois. “In 1980, 8% of the

undergraduate population of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign were indentified as minorities. Today, that number has

risen to 26.1%. Within the Big Ten, the University ranks consistently among the top three in terms of minority undergraduates”

#3______The Chief has had a positive impact on minority student

enrollment. Rather than repel minority students, the Chief’s presence helps create a feeling of acceptance among students of diverse

backgrounds. Additionally, a majority of the Native American population encourages the use of Native American mascots and

nicknames. “In 2002, Sports Illustrated published a poll of 351 Native Americans, 217 living on reservations, 134 living off. Eighty-

one percent said high school and college teams should not stop using Indian nicknames” #4______Clearly,

neither should the NCAA. Chief Illiniwek’s long-standing tradition and integrity may be the reason why Native Americans, and

others, rightfully support him.

Works Cited Page Creation

A complete citation has two parts: the in-text citation and the end-of-text citation. While in-text citations are present in the body of your essay, end-of-text citations are listed at the end of your paper in a works cited list or bibliography.

To create your works cited page, you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Log in to Noodle Tools
  2. Click on the title of your list- this will bring you to the Works Cited page
  3. Click on “Save as a Word Doc”
  4. Click on “Export and Print”
  5. Open this file
  6. When your Works Cited page opens in Microsoft Word, you can both name and save it and edit it
  7. Make sure that each of the sources listed on your Works Cited page only include bibliographic information- delete anything else you may have typed into Noodle Tools

Works Cited Page Creation

A complete citation has two parts: the in-text citation and the end-of-text citation. While in-text citations are present in the body of your essay, end-of-text citations are listed at the end of your paper in a works cited list or bibliography.

To create your works cited page, you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Log in to Noodle Tools
  2. Click on the title of your list- this will bring you to the Works Cited page
  3. Click on “Save as a Word Doc”
  4. Click on “Export and Print”
  5. Open this file
  6. When your Works Cited page opens in Microsoft Word, you can both name and save it and edit it
  7. Make sure that each of the sources listed on your Works Cited page only include bibliographic information- delete anything else you may have typed into Noodle Tools