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MLA Citation Style (7th edition): Quoting and Paraphrasing

This guide provides an overview of the MLA format for citations and works cited lists. Links to more detailed guides are included.

More Information on Quoting and Paraphrasing

"They Say/I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing demystifies academic writing by identifying its key rhetorical moves, the most important of which is to summarize what others have said ("they say") and to set up one's own argument ("I say").

The book also provides templates to help students make these key moves in their own writing.

Quoting and Paraphrasing--Signal Phrases

Signal phrases are ways to lead into or introduce a source or quote. A signal phrase often names the author of the source and provides context. 

Try one of these signal phrases to create a smooth transition from your words to the quotation:

  • According to Flynn ". . ." (98).
  • Pappas and Murray report ". . ."  (67).
  • Jones says ". . ."  (453).
  • Research suggests ". . ." (Smith 19).

Other signal words include:

  • demonstrates
  • contends
  • implies
  • argues
  • shows that
  • supports

When introducing your sources, MLA style uses verbs in the present tense (argues) or present perfect tense (has argued).

Adapted from:

Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers.  A Canadian Writer's Reference. 5th

          ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2012.

 For more comprehensive information, see pages 379-88.

Indirect Quotes (What if my author quotes another author?)

Indirect source (What if my author quotes another author?) (See sec. 6.4.7 MLA Handbook)

  • Whenever you can, take material from the original source.
  • Sometimes, however, only an indirect source is available. 
  • In this case, give your reader a signal phrase in which you include the name(s) of the author(s), your author is quoting.
  • Then, put the abbreviation "qtd. in" (quoted in) before the indirect source you cite in your parenthetical reference

In-text citation

Researchers Botan and McCreadie point out that “workers are objects of information collection without participating in the process of exchanging the information” (qtd. in Kizza and Ssanyu 14).

Works Cited

Kizza, Joseph Migga and Jackline Ssanyu. “Workplace Surveillance.” Ed. John

          Weckert. Electronic Monitoring in the Workplace: Controversies and

          Solutions. Hershey, PA: Idea, 2005. Print.

Original authors (or indirect source): Botan and McCreadie

Your authors (or secondary source): Kizza and Ssanyu