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Music can be cited multiple ways. Mainly, this depends on the container that you accessed the music from. Generally, citations begin with the artist name. They might also be listed by composers or performers. Otherwise, list composer and performer information after the album title. Put individual song titles in quotation marks.

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What is a Concluding Sentence?

A concluding sentence indicates that you are bringing closure to a paragraph. Writing a concluding sentence may not come as easily as you may think. Many writers fail to realize that it closes out the final thoughts about the topic on which they are writing. This is why it is important for you to be able to write effective concluding sentences. For each paragraph, the reader should be able to identify what your key points are based on the concluding sentence. Remember, it should not include any information that was not discussed in the paragraph.

When teaching students how to write concluding sentences, you may need to provide a few examples they will be able to use as a guide for their own writing. Examples of concluding sentence starters include:

Characteristics of Effective Concluding Sentences

It is important for your students to know how to write effective concluding sentences in order to drive home the final point. Some characteristics include:

Reviewing main points mentioned in a paragraph

Restating the topic sentence

Are found at the end of a paragraph

Do not introduce new ideas or topics

As the writer, you should keep in mind that concluding sentences may look different for various types of writing. Examples of these types of writing include narratives, descriptions, compare and contrast, and argument.

The concluding sentence of a narrative paragraph should emphasize the moral lesson to the audience. With descriptive paragraphs, the concluding sentence helps to tie everything together by emphasizing details from the topic sentence, using different wording and summing up supporting facts. When writing a concluding sentence for the compare and contrast paragraph, you will want to restate both topics by pointing out the various similarities and differences that were discussed. The concluding sentence in an argument paragraph will summarize the argument being made. It may reaffirm why the argument is correct and the consequences that may occur if the argument is not heeded.

Examples of Concluding Sentences

Let's look at an example paragraph, and how a concluding sentence would be written for it:

Early colonists came to the New World in order to gain freedom from the harsh reign of the English monarchy. Not only did the colonists desire freedom from the king's taxation system, but they also wanted to break away from the intolerance that kept them from worshiping freely in England. They saw the new country as a place for new beginnings, and looked forward to beginning their lives anew-even if it meant living in a land of uncertainty.

There are several ways in which the concluding sentence in this example can be written.

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examples & starters - video & lesson transcript | study.com

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Concluding Sentence: Definition, Examples & Starters - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

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A concluding sentence indicates that you are bringing closure to a paragraph. Writing a concluding sentence may not come as easily as you may think. Many writers fail to realize that it closes out the final thoughts about the topic on which they are writing.

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On College Life and Writing | Bid4papers Blog

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Last updated: July 2019

"You have to make choices even when there is nothing to choose from."
― Péter Zilahy

And you have to find a perfect hook for your essay even when you don't know what to write.

Strategies for writing an essay hook:

1. Use literary quotes.

2. Write a quote from a famous person.

3. Surprise with a misconception.

4. Write an anecdote.

5. Tell a personal story.

6. Use statistical data.

7. Ask a question.

8. Share a fact or a definition.

9. "Draw" a scene.

10. Start with a thesis statement.

The #1 prejudice most students have on essay writing: it's time-consuming, difficult, and bo-o-oring.

False.

When teachers ask you to write an essay, they don't want to ban your creativity. An essay shouldn't be boring or too formal but make readers want to check its every word. And your task is grabbing and keeping their attention throughout your writing.

An essay hook is that particular instrument you need to meet this challenge.

What is an Essay Hook?
"An essay hook is 1-2 opening sentences of your paper. They serve to capture readers' attention and help them decide if they want to continue reading your text.
We call it a "hook" because it reminds a shiny lure that fishermen use to catch a fish. And, depending on the fish they want to catch, they will use different hooks.

Do not confuse hooks with introductions! An essay hook opens your introduction rather than substitutes it. Once you've hooked readers, be sure to introduce your essay topic and thesis.

A hook. Write a strong opening sentence capturing readers' attention.

A topic. Tell readers about the focus of your essay.

A thesis. State your opinion on the topic.

Essays and college papers are not alone in hooks. Fiction writers, copywriters, bloggers, screenwriters, and other men of letters use this instrument to gain our interest and influence our decisions. Did you hear about David Ogilvy and his timeless lessons to writing and standing out? He's a true genius of hooks and persuasion!

Essay hooks can be difficult to generate, especially if you are still in the process of thesis clarification. The first step toward writing an eye-catching opening for your essay would be answers to these questions:

What is the type of your essay?

What writing style and tone do you need to use?

Who is your intended audience?

What text structure do you need to establish?

A PRO TIP: Write a hook and introduction after you've finished the whole essay. It will help to clarify a thesis and understand what type of hooks would fit your work better.

To get a better idea of what a terrific introduction looks like, watch the video tutorial from James, who defines essay hooks as grabbers.

Essay Hooks Ideas

So, what types of opening lines can you use as a good hook for an essay?

1) Literary Quotes

This type of hooks works for essays about writers, literature phenomena, books, etc. Start your essay with a quote from books you review, and it will establish your authority as a writer.
Examples:
2) Quotes From Famous People

To support your argument and create a lip-smacking hook for your essay, start it with a quote from famous people. But make sure it's relevant to your topic and thesis.
Examples:
That's all well and fine but...

Some teachers consider this type of essay hooks too general and overused. They discourage college papers started or finished with words of influencers, not students themselves. So, if you decide to use such a hook, find a rare yet relevant quote. Don't copy-paste the first available saying from top quotations websites.

3) Common Misconception

You may start your introduction with a statement about a commonly accepted truth being false. That will intrigue your audience and encourage them to keep on reading.
Examples:

"Most Americans mistakenly believe that all rice is essentially the same."

"Most coffee addicts would tell you their favorite drink comes from a bean, but they are wrong. Coffee is made from a seed called a bean."

4) Anecdotes
"An anecdote is a little story designed to illustrate a point you are trying to make.
This hook is appropriate to use if you write narrative or descriptive essays. Don't be afraid of writing funny openings, as it doesn't mean your essay has to be humorous too. A little humor helps to grab readers' attention and spark their interest in the topic.

Your anecdote should be short and to the point. Make sure it relates to the main idea of your essay.
Examples:
Remember that most essay assignments don't allow to write from the first person. Be sure to check the requirements before using "I" in your writing.

5) Personal Stories

This hook is perfect for personal narratives or college application essays, though you would hardly use it for argumentative or too formal persuasive papers. Ask your professor if you can use personal pronouns in your writing, and hook readers with a personal story which not necessarily should be yours.

You can tell the story of your friend, relative, or president. Why not, after all?
Examples:
But please, don't start your essay with a hook like "I was thinking about what to write for this essay and came up with this."

Teachers hate it! Sure, this hook is better than no hook at all, but it will never distinguish your work from the crowd.

6) Statistics

Use statistical data to hook readers with new facts they might not have been known. Be sure to include the source.
Examples:

"People lie in 1 out of 5 conversations lasting more than 10 minutes, according to Allison Komet from the Psychology Today magazine."

"70% of all jobs found today were got through different networking strategies."

"Fifty percent of marriages end up in divorce."

"The average iceberg weighs over 100,000 metric tons."

Do research to find data on your topic. Refer to sources your teacher would consider reliable.

7) Questions

This type of hooks can help you create a reader's personal interest in your essay and wish to continue reading it. But don't make your question too general.

Let's say you write an essay about smartphones. Asking a question a la "Do you have a smartphone?" will hardly grab readers' attention because it doesn't engage them in critical thinking.

So, try to avoid questions expecting simple Yes or No answers.
Examples:
Rhetorical questions could be a good idea for essay hooks.

As well as quotes from famous people, they are easy to create and, therefore, overused too. You'll need to wind up your brain to impress a reader and make that question catchy.

8) Fact/Definition

This hook can surprise a reader with something they might not have known. Interesting facts about what you are going to discuss in your essay will intrigue your audience and make them want to learn more.
Examples:

"Spain, though hardly a literary juggernaut, translates more books in one year than the entire Arab world has in the past one thousand years."

"Amiable is the best way to describe Elizabeth's personality: she was friendly and caring."

Be careful with definitions! Your professor will hardly like your essay opening if you copy it from a dictionary. So, if you decide to start an essay with a definition related to your topic, avoid something like this:

"Webster's Dictionary defines 'truth' as 'the state of being the case; factual; the body of real things, events, and facts'."

A bold pronouncement, outrageous statement, or exaggeration will help you hook readers, too.
Examples:

"If you say you've never told a lie, then you're lying."

"Cigarettes are the primary cause of cancer."

"If the government cuts any more money from education, the entire country will crumble."

9) Scenes

People are visually-oriented. Depending on the type and length of your essay, "draw" a scene in your hook to help readers "see" a clear picture in mind.

Decide on a scene that would appeal to senses and set the mood for your essay.
Examples:
10) Thesis Statement

There is no harm in getting right to the point. Start with your argument and support your point of view throughout the essay. If you have an interesting take on a subject, readers will want to see where you came up with your idea.
Examples:

"It is time to reveal the truth about Thanksgiving, and the truth is that Thanksgiving is not such a terrific holiday..."

"Humans need to invest more time and money into space exploration because Earth is on a certain path to destruction."

So many hooks, so many essays. The logical question appears: how do you know what type of openings in the introduction would fit your paper best?

Well, you might ask our writers to help you or continue reading this post to get more tips on writing hooks for your essay.

How to Choose a Good Hook for Your Essay

With so many types of essay hooks, you wonder how to choose the right one for your particular paper. The problem is, there's no single formula here. To know what hook to consider, keep in mind the following:

Depending on who reads your essay, one and the same message will speak in different ways to them.

It's clear that a hook you use to attract a college girl would hardly help you spark the interest of a college admission counselor. So, the first question to answer before going on the writing road is:

Who is my audience? Whom do I want to target with my essay?

Then, try to figure out what matters to your readers and what they expect to get from the essay.

Do they read it to solve a problem?

Do they want to learn interesting facts about you?

Do they need distinctive information on the topic?

Do they want to see that you understand a subject?

Once you've nailed it down, you'll know what types of hooks will work for this particular writing.

The type of hooks that would fit your paper best depends on the essay type, either.

For example, anecdotes don't work for writing a critical précis, but they would catch readers of dialectic essays. Quotes and questions are perfect hooks for novel critiques or persuasive essays, while facts or statistics fit argumentative essays best.

Don't start your essay with a great hook simply because it's great. It should be relevant to your topic, thesis, and purpose of your paper.
Questions to answer before choosing an essay hook:

How do I want my readers to feel?

What do I want my readers to learn?

Depending on feelings you want to evoke, an essay hook may be some shocking statistics, a romantic personal story, a funny anecdote, a motivational quote, etc.

Depending on the purpose of your writing, make an essay hook reflect it. Common misconceptions or outrageous statements may encourage readers to learn something new, while catchy questions would engage in critical thinking or motivate.

Conclusion

Essays are many. Narrative, persuasive, argumentative, or descriptive - they all need hooks, aka grabbers to attract readers to your writing. These grabbers are many, either. To choose the best one for your paper, consider a type of your essay, its audience, and their needs.

And remember:

No matter how strong they are, hooks alone can't guarantee A+ grades for your writing assignments. State a thesis, organize research on the topic, and outline your essay before choosing a grabber for it. Opening lines lead the way of your papers and make them worth reading.

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"You have to make choices even when there is nothing to choose from." ― Péter Zilahy And you have to find perfect hooks for essay even when you do not know what to write about. When you are asked to write an essay that works, it doesn't mean it should be boring and too formal ...

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Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. Search across a wide variety of disciplines and sources: articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions.

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Research Guides: Research Process: A Step-by-Step Guide: 4b. Outline the Paper

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Research Guides: Research Process: A Step-by-Step Guide: 4b. Outline the Paper

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GALILEO is free to all Georgians via schools, colleges and public libraries. Find your school, university, or local library in the dropdown list and click "Go". Log in. If you don't know your account/password, ask your librarian. (If you need a public library account, get one here.) Start searching!

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Types of Reliable Sources

A reliable source is one that provides a thorough, well-reasoned theory, argument, discussion, etc. based on strong evidence.

Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles or books -written by researchers for students and researchers. Original research, extensive bibliography. Found in GALILEO's academic databases and Google Scholar. Anatomy of a Scholarly Article.

Trade or professional articles or books - written by practitioners in a field to impart practice-oriented information. Found in GALILEO databases. Some may also be found through Google or other search engine, but may require payment to see the full text. Beware of sources on the internet that look like trade/professional articles, but don't have reliable content.

Magazine articles, books and newspaper articles from well-established newspapers - written for a general audience by authors or journalists who have consulted reliable sources and vetted through an editor. These sources may provide some of their articles online for free. Newspapers and magazines often contain both researched news stories and editorial/opinion pieces that express the view of the writer. It is important to be able to distinguish between them! Beware of sources on the internet that look like reputable magazines, and newspapers, but don't have reliable content.

Websites and blogs - can be reliable or unreliable, hoaxes or sincere misinformation. Researchers and other experts often use blogs as a way to share their knowledge with the general public, but anyone with computer access can do so too, to further any agenda they want. It's up to you to evaluate the quality of what you find online. Online news sources are particularly notorious for false information.

Wikipedia - some entries are reliable, some are not - it's up to you to evaluate. The authors are anonymous, so there's no way to determine their expertise, or the expertise of the Wikipedia editor who oversees the entry. Wikipedia editors will post warnings if they think the entry has weaknesses. Wikipedia entries tend to be conservative, reflecting traditional views over newer research.

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GALILEO@UGA Subject Guides: Finding Reliable Sources: What is a Reliable Source?

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GALILEO@UGA Subject Guides: Finding Reliable Sources: What is a Reliable Source?

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Researchers add quotes or information from books, websites, journals, and many other source types into their own projects or assignments. This is done to:

Provide additional evidence to defend or oppose an argument or claim

Provide background knowledge on a topic to aid in understanding

Include the essence or eloquence of another author's work in a project

If your professor or instructor requests your references be created following the guidelines in the 7th edition of the Modern Language Association's , here's .

If you're looking for information on styling an APA citation, EasyBib.com has the guides you need!

What is the Difference?

An in-text citation can be displayed in two different ways; narratively or as a parenthetical citation. While similar, there are slight differences.

A narrative MLA in-text citation is when the author's name is used in the text of the sentence. At the end of the sentence, in parentheses, is the page number where the information was found.

Here is an example:

When it comes to technology, King states that we " need to be comfortable enough with technology tools and services that we can help point our patrons in the right direction, even if we aren't intimately familiar with how the device works" (11).

This narrative MLA in-text citation includes King's name in the sentence itself, and this specific line of text was taken from page 11 of the journal it was found in.

An MLA parenthetical citation is created when the author's name is NOT in the sentence. Instead, the author's name is in parentheses after the sentence, along with the page number.

Here is an MLA parenthetical citation example:

When it comes to technology, we "need to be comfortable enough with technology tools and services that we can help point our patrons in the right direction, even if we aren't intimately familiar with how the device works" (King 11).

In the above example, King's name is not included in the sentence itself, so his name is in parentheses after the sentence, with 11 for the page number. The 11 indicates that the quote is found on page 11 in the journal.

At the end of the assignment, on the Works Cited page, is the full reference. The full reference includes the full name of the author, the title of the article, the title of the journal, the volume and issue number, the date the journal was published, and the URL where the article was found.

Here is the full reference for King's quote:

King, David Lee. "Why Stay on Top of Technology Trends?" Library Technology Reports , vol. 54, no. 2, Feb.-Mar. 2018, ezproxy.nypl.org/login?url=//search-proquest-com.i.ezproxy.nypl.org/docview/2008817033?accountid=35635.

Readers can locate the article online via the information included above.

The next section of this guide focuses on how to structure an MLA in-text citation and reference in parentheses in various situations.

A narrative APA in-text citation and APA parenthetical citation are somewhat similar, but have some minor differences. Check out our helpful guides, and others, on EasyBib.com!

Wondering how to handle these types of references in other styles? Check out our page on , or choose from more styles .

Sources With Two Authors

There are many books, journal articles, magazine articles, reports, and other source types written or created by two authors.

When a source has two authors, place both authors' last names in the body of your work. The last names do not need to be listed in alphabetical order. Instead, follow the same order as shown on the source.

In a narrative MLA in-text citation, separate the two last names with the word "and." After both authors' names, add a space and the page number the original quote or information is found on.

Here is an example of an MLA in-text citation for a book with two authors:

Gaiman and Pratchett further elaborate by sharing their creepy reminder that "just because it's a mild night doesn't mean that dark forces aren't abroad. They're abroad all of the time. They're everywhere" (15).

Here is an example of an MLA parenthetical citation for a book with two authors:

Don't forget that "just because it's a mild night doesn't mean that dark forces aren't abroad. They're abroad all of the time. They're everywhere" (Gaiman and Pratchett 15).

If you're still confused, check out EasyBib.com's MLA in-text citation generator, which allows you to create MLA in-text citations and other types of references in just a few clicks!

If it's an APA book citation you're looking to create, we have a helpful guide on EasyBib.com. While you're at it, check out our APA journal guide!

Sources With Three or More Authors

There are a number of sources written or created by three or more authors. Many research studies and reports, scholarly journal articles, and government publications are developed by three or more individuals.

If you included the last names of all individuals in your narrative MLA in-text citations or in parentheses, it would be too distracting to the reader. It may also cause the reader to lose sight of the overall message of the paper or assignment. Instead of including all last names, only include the last name of the first individual shown on the source. Follow the first author's last name with the Latin phrase, "et al." This Latin phrase translates to "and others." Add the page number after et al.

Here's a parenthetical citation MLA example for multiple authors:

"School library programs in Croatia and Hong Kong are mainly focused on two major educational tasks. One task is enhancing students' general literacy and developing reading habits, whereas the other task is developing students' information literacy and research abilities" (Tam et al. 299).

The example above only includes the first listed author's last name. All other authors are credited when "et al." is used. If the reader wants to see the other authors' full names, the reader can refer to the final references at the end of the assignment.

The abbreviation et al. is used with references in parentheses, as well as in full references. To include the authors' names narratively in the in-text citation MLA sentence, you can either write each name out individually or, you can type out the meaning of et al., which is "and others."

Here is an acceptable narrative MLA in-text citation example for sources with more than three authors:

School library programming in Croatia and Hong Kong is somewhat similar to programming in the United States. Tam, Choi, Tkalcevic, Dukic, and Zheng share that "school library programs in Croatia and Hong Kong are mainly focused on two major educational tasks. One task is enhancing students' general literacy and developing reading habits, whereas the other task is developing students' information literacy and research abilities" (299).

Need some inspiration for your research project? Trying to figure out the perfect topic? Check out our Dr. Suess, Marilyn Monroe, and Malcolm X topic guides!

Sources Without an Author

It may seem unlikely, but there are times when an author's name isn't included on a source. Many digital images, films and videos, encyclopedia articles, dictionary entries, web pages, and more do not have author names listed.

If the source you're attempting to cite does not have an author's name listed, the narrative in-text citation MLA or MLA parenthetical citation should display the title. If the title is rather long, it is acceptable to shorten it in the body of your assignment. If you choose to shorten the title, make sure the first word in the full citation is also the first word used in the narrative MLA in-text citation or reference in parentheses. This is done to allow the reader to easily locate the full citation that corresponds with the reference in the text.

If, in the Works Cited list, the full reference has the title within quotation marks, include those quotation marks in the narrative MLA in-text citation or reference in parentheses. If the title is written in italics in the full reference, include the title with italics in the narrative MLA in-text citation or reference in parentheses as well.

Parenthetical citations MLA examples:

The example below is from a poem found online, titled "The Last Time." The poem's author is unknown.

" From the moment you hold your baby in your arms you will never be the same. You might long for the person you were before, when you had freedom and time and nothing in particular to worry about" ("The Last Time").

The example below is from the movie, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain .

"Perhaps it would have been different if there hadn't been a war, but this was 1917, and people were exhausted by loss. Those that were allowed to stay manned the pits, mining the coal that would fuel the ships. Twenty-four hours a day they labored" ( The Englishman ).

Notice the shortened title in the above reference. This allows the reader to spend more time focusing on the content of your project, rather than the sources.

If you're looking for an MLA in-text citation website to help you with your references, check out EasyBib Plus on EasyBib.com! EasyBib Plus can help you determine how to do in-text citations MLA and many other types of references!

Corporate Authors

Numerous government publications, research reports, and brochures state the name of the organization as the author responsible for publishing it.

When the author is a corporate entity or organization, this information is included in the narrative in-text citation or parenthetical citation MLA.

"One project became the first to evaluate how e-prescribing standards work in certain long-term care settings and assessed the impact of e-prescribing on the workflow among prescribers, nurses, the pharmacies, and payers" (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2).

If the full name of the organization or governmental agency is long in length, it is acceptable to abbreviate some words, as long as they are considered common abbreviations. These abbreviations should only be in the references with parentheses. They should not be used in a narrative in-text citation MLA. Here is a list of words that can be abbreviated in parentheses:

Example of a shortened corporate author name in parenthetical citation MLA:

"Based on our analysis of available data provided by selected states' departments of corrections, the most common crimes committed by inmates with serious mental illness varied from state to state" (US Govt. Accountability Office 14).

Here is how the same corporate author name would look in a narrative MLA in-text citation example:

The United States Government Accountability Office states that "Based on our analysis of available data provided by selected states' departments of corrections, the most common crimes committed by inmates with serious mental illness varied from state to state" (14).

Remember, narrative in-text citations MLA should not have abbreviations, other types of references can.

Looking for more information on abbreviations? Check out our page on

Edited Books and Anthologies

Edited books and anthologies often include chapters or sections, each written by an individual author or a small group of authors. These compilations are placed together by an editor or a group of editors. There are tons of edited books and anthologies available today, ranging from ones showcasing Black history facts and literature to those focusing on notable individuals such as scientists like Albert Einstein and politicians such as Winston Churchill.

If you're using information from an edited book or an anthology, include the chapter author's name in your narrative in-text citation MLA or reference in parentheses. Do not use the name(s) of the editor(s). Remember, the purpose of these references is to provide the reader with some insight as to where the information originated. If, after reading your project, the reader would like more information on the sources used, the reader can use the information provided in the full reference, at the very end of the assignment. With that in mind, since the full reference begins with the author of the individual chapter or section, that same information is what should be included in any narrative in-text citations MLA or references in parentheses.

Here is an example on an edited MLA in-text citation book:

Weinstein further states that, "one implication of this widespread adaptation of anthropological methods to historical research was the eclipse of the longstanding concern with "change over time," and the emergence of a preference for synchronic, rather than diachronic, themes" (195).

Full reference at the end of the assignment:

Weinstein, Barbara. "History Without a Cause? Grand Narratives, World History, and the Postcolonial Dilemma." Postcolonial Studies: An Anthology , edited by Pramod K. Nayar, Wiley-Blackwell, 2015, p. 196. , www.wiley.com/en-us/Postcolonial+Studies%3A+An+Anthology-p-9781118780985.

Once you're through with writing and citing, run your paper through our innovative plagiarism checker! It's the editor of your dreams and provides suggestions for improvement.

Sources without Page Numbers and Online Sources

When a source has no page numbers, which is often the case with long web page articles, e-books, and numerous other source types, do not include any page number information in the body of the project. Do not estimate or invent your own page numbering system for the source. If there aren't any page numbers, omit this information from the MLA website in-text citation.

There may, however, be paragraph numbers included in some sources. If there are distinct and clear paragraph numbers directly on the source, replace the page number with this information. Make it clear to the reader that the source is organized by paragraphs by using "par." before the paragraph number, or use "pars." if the information is from more than one paragraph.

Here is an example of how to create a reference for an MLA parenthetical citation website:

"She ran through the field with the wind blowing in her hair and a song through the breeze" (Jackson par. 5).

Here's an MLA in-text citation for website example:

In Brenner's meeting notes, he further shared his motivation to actively seek out and secure self help resources when he announced, "When we looked at statistical evidence, the most commonly checked out section of the library was self-help. This proves that patrons consistently seek out help for personal issues and wish to solve them with the help of the community's resources" (pars. 2-3).

Here's another in-text citation website MLA example:

Holson writes about a new mindful app, which provides listeners with the soothing sound of not only Bob Ross' voice, but also the "soothing swish of his painter's brush on canvas."

In above example, the information normally found in the parentheses is omitted since there aren't any page, parentheses, or chapter numbers on the website article.

Looking for APA citation website examples? We have what you need on EasyBib.com!

Citing the Same Source Multiple Times

It may seem redundant to constantly include an author's name in the body of a research project or paper. If you use an author's work in one section of your project, and the next piece of information included is by the same individual(s), then it is not necessary to share in-text, whether narratively or in parentheses, that both items are from the same author. It is acceptable to include the last name of the author in the first use, and in the second usage, only a page number needs to be included.

Here is an example of how to cite the same source multiple times:

"One of the major tests is the Project for Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills. This measurement was developed over four years as a joint partnership between the Association of Research Libraries and Kent State University" (Tong and Moran 290). This exam is just one of many available to measure students' information literacy skills. It is fee-based, so it is not free, but the results can provide stakeholders, professors, curriculum developers, and even librarians and library service team members with an understanding of students' abilities and misconceptions.

It is not surprising to read the results, which stated that "upper-level undergraduate students generally lack information literacy skills as evidenced by the results on this specific iteration of the Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills test" (295).

The reader can assume that the information in the second quote is from the same article as the first quote. If, in between the two quotes, a different source is included, Tong and Moran's names would need to be added again in the last quote.

Here is the full reference at the end of the project:

Tong, Min, and Carrie Moran. "Are Transfer Students Lagging Behind in Information Literacy?" Reference Services Review , vol. 45, no. 2, 2017, pp. 286-297. , ezproxy.nypl.org/login?url=//search-proquest-com.i.ezproxy.nypl.org/docview/1917280148?accountid=35635.

Religious Works and Scriptures

There are instances when religious works are italicized in the text of a project, and times when it is not necessary to italicize the title.

If you're referring to the general religious text, such as the Bible, Torah, or Qur'an, it is not necessary to italicize the name of the scripture in the body of the project. If you're referring to a specific edition of a religious text, then it is necessary to italicize it, both in text and in the full reference.

Here are some commonly used editions:

When including a reference, do not use page numbers from the scripture. Instead, use the designated chapter numbers and verse numbers.

Parenthetical citation MLA example for a religious scripture:

While, unacceptable in today's society, the Bible is riddled with individuals who have two, three, and sometimes four or more spouses. One example in the King James Bible , states that an individual "had two wives, the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children" (1 Sam 1.2)

The only religious scripture that is allowed to be in the text of a project, but not in the Works Cited list, is the Qur'an. There is only one version of the Qur'an. It is acceptable to include the name of the Qur'an in the text, along with the specific chapter and verse numbers.

If you're attempting to create a reference for a religious work, but it's not considered a "classic" religious book, such as a biography about Mother Teresa, or a book about Muhammed Ali's conversion, then a reference in the text and also on the final page of the project is necessary.

If you're creating an APA bibliography, you do not need to create a full reference for classic religious works on an APA works cited page.

Long or Block Quotes

Quotes longer than four lines are called, "block quotes." Block quotes are sometimes necessary when you're adding a lengthy piece of information into your project. If you'd like to add a large portion of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, a lengthy amount of text from a Mark Twain book, or multiple lines from Abraham Lincoln 's Gettysburg Address, a block quote is needed.

Block quotes are formatted differently than shorter quotes in the body of a project. Why? The unique formatting signals to the reader that they're about to read a lengthy quote.

Block quotes are called block quotes because they form their own block of text. They are set apart from the body of a project, with different spacing and margins.

Begin the block quote on a new line. The body of the full project should run along the one inch margin, but the block quote should be set in an inch and a half. The entire quote should be along the inch and a half margin.

If there aren't any quotation marks in the text itself, do not include any in the block quote. This is very different than standard reference rules. In most cases, quotation marks are added around quoted material. For block quotes, since the reader can see that the quoted material sits in its own block, it is not necessary to place quotation marks around it.

Here is a narrative MLA in-text citation example of a block quote:

Despite Bruchac's consistent difficult situations at home, basketball kept his mind busy and focused:

When I got off the late bus that afternoon, my grandparents weren't home. The store was locked and there was a note from Grama on the house door. Doc Magovern had come to the house because Grampa was "having trouble with his blood." Now they were off to the hospital and I "wasn't to worry." This had happened before. Grampa had pernicious anemia and sometimes was very sick. So, naturally, it worried the pants off me. I actually thought about taking my bike down the dreaded 9N the three miles to the Saratoga Hospital. Instead, I did as I knew they wanted. I opened the store and waited for customers. None came, though, and my eye was caught by the basketball stowed away as usual behind the door. I had to do something to take my mind off what was happening to Grampa. I took out the ball and went around the side. (13)

Notice the use of the colon prior to the start of the block quote. Do not use a colon if the block quote is part of the sentence above it.

Here is an example of the same block quote, without the use of the colon:

Despite Bruchac's consistent difficult situations at home, it was clear that basketball kept his mind busy and focused when he states

When I get off the late bus that afternoon, my grandparents weren't home...

If two or more paragraphs are included in your block quote, start each paragraph on a new line.

Looking for additional helpful websites? Need another MLA in-text citation website? Check out the style in the news . We also have other handy articles, guides, and posts to help you with your research needs. Here's one on how to write an MLA annotated bibliography .

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MLA In-Text Citation & Parenthetical Guide

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Researchers add quotes or information from books, websites, journals, and many other source types into their own projects or assignments.

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How do you cite a book? What information do you need to include and where does it go? Citation Machine citing tools can help you easily create formatted citations for your research paper.

First, find your book using the search box above. The book's author, title, or ISBN will work. If there are books with similar titles, authors, different editions, etc., you will be shown all possibilities, so you can choose the correct book. From there, the citing tools will automatically pull information on the source and help you create a citation.

Books aren't just in print. They can be electronic, too. You can find them in online databases, websites, audiobooks, and other forms of media. Citation Machine citing tools can handle those, as well.

Standard book citation:

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic, 2008.

Translated works in MLA format:

If the focus was on the text, rather than the actual translation, cite the source like this:

Vila-Matas, Enrique. Never Any End to Paris. Translated by Anne McLean, New Directions, 2011.

If the focus was on the translation, include the translator's name first in the citation.

McLean, Anne, translator. Never Any End to Paris. By Enrique Vila-Matas, New Directions, 2011.

Wish you had an automatic MLA citation generator to do all of the heavy lifting for you? Try out our generator, at the top of this page.

How to cite a textbook in print:

To cite a full textbook in print in MLA format, you'll need to find the following pieces of information:

Name of the author(s) or editor(s)

Title of the textbook, including any subtitles

Version of the textbook (such as a numbered edition or revised edition)

Name of the publisher

Year the textbook was published

Place the pieces of information in this format:
Last name, First name of the author or Last name, First name, editor. Title of the Textbook. Version, Publisher, Year published.
If the textbook was compiled by an editor, use this format at the beginning of the citation:
Last name, First name, editor.
Examples of how to cite a textbook in print:
Lilly, Leonard S. Braunwald's Heart Disease: Review and Assessment. 9th ed., Elsevier Saunders, 2012.

Cherny, Nathan, et al., editors. Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. 5th ed., Oxford UP, 2015.

E-books in MLA format:
Citing an e-book (a digital book that lacks a URL and that you use software to read on a personal e-reader):
Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. E-book ed., Barnes & Noble Classics, 2004.

In the "version" section of the citation, include "E-book ed." to specify that you used an e-book version of a printed book.

You can also use the "final supplemental" section of the citation to specify the file type of the electronic edition of the work if you know the work varies by file format.

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. E-book ed., Barnes & Noble Classics, 2004. EPUB.
If you're citing a book available from a website, here's an example in MLA format:
Doyle, Arthur Conan. "A Scandal in Bohemia." The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Internet Archive, archive.org/details/deysayan844_gmail_Cano/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater&q=119.

The website is the container, which is found in the third position of the citation, in italics.

Wish you had a second set of eyes to review your citations? Use our MLA citation generator and compare the output to yours.

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How do you cite a book? What information do you need to include and where does it go? Citation Machine citing tools can help you easily create formatted citations for your research paper. First, find your book using the search box above. The book's author, title, or ISBN will work.

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Modern Language Association (MLA) Website

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Modern Language Association (MLA) Website

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Formatting Your Research Project

To learn how to set up your research project in MLA format, visit our free sample chapter on MLA Handbook Plus, the only authorized subscription-based digital resource featuring the MLA Handbook, available for unlimited simultaneous users at subscribing institutions.

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Formatting Your Research Project | MLA Style Center

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To learn how to set up your research project in MLA format, visit our free sample chapter on MLA Handbook Plus , the only authorized subscription-based digital resource featuring the MLA Handbook, available for unlimited simultaneous users at subscribing institutions.

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Cite this for Me | Free Reference Generator - Harvard, APA, MLA, Chicago...

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FREE MLA Format Citation Generator | Cite This For Me

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Use Cite This For Me's FREE MLA format citation generator to get accurate MLA citations in seconds. Sign up now to cite all of your sources in the MLA format.

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General Format - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

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Suggested Resources
Style Guide Overview MLA Guide APA Guide Chicago Guide OWL Exercises

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Summary:
Welcome to the OWL Overview of MLA Style. This page introduces you to the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style for writing and formatting research papers. To get the most out of this page, you should begin with the introductory material below, which covers what is MLA Style, why it is used, and who should apply this style to their work. Then you are invited to browse through the OWL's resources on MLA Formatting and Citations standards, which include how sources appear in-text and in the final reference page.

Note: This page should answer most of your basic questions about using MLA Style. However, if you are writing a complex document such as a thesis or lengthy manuscript, or if you have detailed questions, you should consult the MLA Handbook (9th Edition), which you can usually find at your local library or in many bookstores.

The MLA also has a website called the MLA Style Center that allows you to order the handbook online. The site includes resources for students and teachers as well as answers to frequently asked questions on MLA Style. Additionally, the Purdue OWL has a list of Additional Resources covering MLA Style.

What is MLA Style?

MLA Style establishes standards of written communication concerning:

formatting and page layout

applying stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)

citing sources

preparing a manuscript for publication in certain disciplines.

Why Use MLA?

Using MLA Style properly makes it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend a text through familiar cues that refer to sources and borrowed information. Editors and instructors also encourage everyone to use the same format so there is consistency of style within a given field. Abiding by MLA's standards as a writer will allow you to:

Who Should Use MLA?

MLA Style is typically reserved for writers and students preparing manuscripts in various humanities disciplines such as:

English Studies - Language and Literature

Foreign Languages and Literatures

Literary Criticism

Comparative Literature

Cultural Studies

MLA Formatting and Notation Style

You should start by becoming familiar with the general formatting requirements of MLA Style, as well as the different standards for notation that MLA writers are expected to use. Because MLA is different than other writing styles, such as APA, you should pay attention to every detail of the Style, from general paper layout to abbreviations. The following pages will introduce you to some of these basic requirements to get you started in the right direction.

MLA Citations and Works Cited Page

As with any publishing style, the most difficult aspects of MLA Style are the requirements for citing secondary sources accurately. The pages included here walk you through the details of incorporating citations into the text of your paper as well as how to compose a Works Cited page of references at the end of your paper. Read these guidelines carefully. It is important that you refer to your sources according to MLA Style so your readers can quickly follow the citations to the reference page and then, from there, locate any sources that might be of interest to them. They will expect this information to be presented in a particular style, and any deviations from that style could result in confusing your readers.

Covers the process for developing Works Cited pages and in-text citations using MLA (9th ed.)

Explains "containers," a concept new to the eighth edition, including how to apply them to develop citations

Addresses the MLA Style formatting requirements for citing secondary sources within the text of your essay

Offers a few basic rules for using parenthetical citations, including when not to use them

Includes examples of in-text citations

Explains the author-page formatting of the parenthetical citation and how that applies to different types of sources

Provides examples of in-text citations based on the kind of source being cited, such as a literary work, an anonymous work, and a work with multiple authors

Describes how to cite a source indirectly referenced in another source

Guides you through the general rules that apply to any Works Cited page using MLA Style, including where the page appears and how to organize the works

Walks you through how to construct a reference entry for different types of texts, starting with a focus on authors

Serves as a primer on formatting that will be expanded in all of the following pages addressing MLA Works Cited entries for different types of sources

Includes an example Works Cited Page

Builds from the basic format page with a focus on how to create citations for certain commonly referenced book sources

Includes guidelines and examples for a variety of books depending on the number of authors, whether the work is a piece is a larger work, or the book itself is part of multivolume collection

Provides guidelines on how to reference other sources you may encounter during research that are considered books or non-periodical works

Includes works that you might likely use but that have unusual publication information, such as a government document, pamphlet, or dissertation

Covers the guidelines for developing a citation entry for works found in periodicals (typically articles in circulating publications that have different dates and volume/issue numbers)

Lists types of entries depending on the kind of journal (e.g. one paginated by volume), if the source is a magazine vs. a newspaper, or the kind of article (e.g. a letter to the editor)

Demonstrates the basic requirements and unique qualifications for constructing references for different types of electronic sources

Covers more standard sources-from online periodicals and scholarly databases-to less conventional sources, like emails and video recordings found online

Includes OWL suggestions on how to cite blog entries and comments posted to blogs (NOTE: consult your instructor to find out if these are acceptable research sources to use for your assignment)

Applies the basic MLA citation rules to non-print sources you may use in your research, such as interviews and images

Provides directions and examples of how to cite video and sound recordings, as well as three dimensional works like sculptures

Please Note: If you know exactly what you're looking for concerning MLA, you can use the OWL Navigation to the left by looking under "Research and Citation" and clicking on "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." You may also use the search option in the navigation bar to find resources.

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Summary:
Welcome to the OWL Overview of MLA Style. This page introduces you to the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style for writing and formatting research papers. To get the most out of this page, you should begin with the introductory material below, which covers what is MLA Style, why it is used, and who should apply this style to their work. Then you are invited to browse through the OWL's resources on MLA Formatting and Citations standards, which include how sources appear in-text and in the final reference page.

Note: This page should answer most of your basic questions about using MLA Style. However, if you are writing a complex document such as a thesis or lengthy manuscript, or if you have detailed questions, you should consult the MLA Handbook (9th Edition), which you can usually find at your local library or in many bookstores.

The MLA also has a website called the MLA Style Center that allows you to order the handbook online. The site includes resources for students and teachers as well as answers to frequently asked questions on MLA Style. Additionally, the Purdue OWL has a list of Additional Resources covering MLA Style.

What is MLA Style?

MLA Style establishes standards of written communication concerning:

formatting and page layout

applying stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)

citing sources

preparing a manuscript for publication in certain disciplines.

Why Use MLA?

Using MLA Style properly makes it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend a text through familiar cues that refer to sources and borrowed information. Editors and instructors also encourage everyone to use the same format so there is consistency of style within a given field. Abiding by MLA's standards as a writer will allow you to:

Who Should Use MLA?

MLA Style is typically reserved for writers and students preparing manuscripts in various humanities disciplines such as:

English Studies - Language and Literature

Foreign Languages and Literatures

Literary Criticism

Comparative Literature

Cultural Studies

MLA Formatting and Notation Style

You should start by becoming familiar with the general formatting requirements of MLA Style, as well as the different standards for notation that MLA writers are expected to use. Because MLA is different than other writing styles, such as APA, you should pay attention to every detail of the Style, from general paper layout to abbreviations. The following pages will introduce you to some of these basic requirements to get you started in the right direction.

MLA Citations and Works Cited Page

As with any publishing style, the most difficult aspects of MLA Style are the requirements for citing secondary sources accurately. The pages included here walk you through the details of incorporating citations into the text of your paper as well as how to compose a Works Cited page of references at the end of your paper. Read these guidelines carefully. It is important that you refer to your sources according to MLA Style so your readers can quickly follow the citations to the reference page and then, from there, locate any sources that might be of interest to them. They will expect this information to be presented in a particular style, and any deviations from that style could result in confusing your readers.

Covers the process for developing Works Cited pages and in-text citations using MLA (9th ed.)

Explains "containers," a concept new to the eighth edition, including how to apply them to develop citations

Addresses the MLA Style formatting requirements for citing secondary sources within the text of your essay

Offers a few basic rules for using parenthetical citations, including when not to use them

Includes examples of in-text citations

Explains the author-page formatting of the parenthetical citation and how that applies to different types of sources

Provides examples of in-text citations based on the kind of source being cited, such as a literary work, an anonymous work, and a work with multiple authors

Describes how to cite a source indirectly referenced in another source

Guides you through the general rules that apply to any Works Cited page using MLA Style, including where the page appears and how to organize the works

Walks you through how to construct a reference entry for different types of texts, starting with a focus on authors

Serves as a primer on formatting that will be expanded in all of the following pages addressing MLA Works Cited entries for different types of sources

Includes an example Works Cited Page

Builds from the basic format page with a focus on how to create citations for certain commonly referenced book sources

Includes guidelines and examples for a variety of books depending on the number of authors, whether the work is a piece is a larger work, or the book itself is part of multivolume collection

Provides guidelines on how to reference other sources you may encounter during research that are considered books or non-periodical works

Includes works that you might likely use but that have unusual publication information, such as a government document, pamphlet, or dissertation

Covers the guidelines for developing a citation entry for works found in periodicals (typically articles in circulating publications that have different dates and volume/issue numbers)

Lists types of entries depending on the kind of journal (e.g. one paginated by volume), if the source is a magazine vs. a newspaper, or the kind of article (e.g. a letter to the editor)

Demonstrates the basic requirements and unique qualifications for constructing references for different types of electronic sources

Covers more standard sources-from online periodicals and scholarly databases-to less conventional sources, like emails and video recordings found online

Includes OWL suggestions on how to cite blog entries and comments posted to blogs (NOTE: consult your instructor to find out if these are acceptable research sources to use for your assignment)

Applies the basic MLA citation rules to non-print sources you may use in your research, such as interviews and images

Provides directions and examples of how to cite video and sound recordings, as well as three dimensional works like sculptures

Please Note: If you know exactly what you're looking for concerning MLA, you can use the OWL Navigation to the left by looking under "Research and Citation" and clicking on "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." You may also use the search option in the navigation bar to find resources.

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Style Guide Overview MLA Guide APA Guide Chicago Guide OWL Exercises This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice. Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved.