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Parenthetical Citations

 





What is the format for parenthetical citation?
This in-text referencing system directs readers to a "Works Cited" list at the end of the book, chapter, article, or paper. The text reference usually includes an author name and location in the text being cited. Examples:

Native peoples have little to lose by adopting these practices (Johnson, par. 3).

Viviano sees advantages in this line of defense (3-4).

Buddhist organizations have taken a somewhat different approach...(Inada, par. 2).

How to do parenthetical citations
The purpose of parenthetical references is to give credit to sources that you use.

  • Cite direct quotations, paraphrases, ideas peculiar to an author, case studies, statistics, and graphics, such as maps, charts, diagrams, and scientific research results.
  • Place citations directly after the quotation or paraphrase.
  • Include only the author's last name and page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the sentence: (Smith 145).
  • Include only the author's last name and page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the sentence: (Smith 145).
  • Use the name of the source as listed on the works-cited page if no author or editor is credited: (Webster's Dictionary 1990).
  • If the author's name appears in the same sentence as the cited material include only the page number: (145).
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