Most literature papers use the documentation system recommended by the Modern Language Association (MLA), as set forth in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. (New York: MLA, 2009).
MLA recommends in-text citations that refer readers to a list of works cited. An in-text citation names the author of the source, often in a signal phrase, and gives the page number in parentheses.
At the end of the paper, a list of works cited provides publication information about the sources used in the paper.
MLA IN-TEXT CITATION
Arguing that fate has little to do with the tragedy that befalls Oedipus, Bernard Knox writes that “the catastrophe of Oedipus is that he discovers his own identity; and for his discovery he is first and last responsible” (6).
The signal phrase names the author of the secondary source; the number in parentheses is the page on which the quoted words appear.
The in-text citation is used in combination with a list of works cited at the end of the paper. Anyone interested in knowing additional information about the secondary source can consult the list of works cited. Here, for example, is the works cited entry for the work referred to in the sample in-text citation.
ENTRY IN THE LIST OF WORKS CITED
Knox, Bernard. Oedipus at Thebes: Sophocles’ Tragic Hero and His Time. New York: Norton, 1971. Print.
Related topic:
Documenting sources (MLA)