Understanding In-Text and Parenthetical Citations In-text Citations in MLA In-text citations in MLA style are used to acknowledge and provide brief information about the sources you have used within the body of your paper. These citations typically include the author’s last name and the page number(s) from which the information is taken. Here’s how to format in-text citations in MLA: For a direct quotation: Place the author’s last name and the page number(s) in parentheses immediately after the quotation. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number(s) in parentheses. Here’s an example: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (Smith 45). According to Smith, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (45). For a paraphrase or summary: Place the author’s last name and the page number(s) in parentheses after the paraphrased or summarized information. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number(s) in parentheses. Here’s an example: Climate change is a global crisis that requires immediate attention (Johnson 25-27). Johnson argues that climate change is a global crisis that requires immediate attention (25-27). For a source with no page numbers: If the source you are citing does not have page numbers (e.g., a website), you can use other identifying information, such as the author’s last name or a shortened title. If there is no author, use a shortened version of the title instead. Here’s an example: According to the National Wildlife Federation (“Climate Change Impacts”), rising temperatures have led to the loss of biodiversity.