Argumentative Research Paper

When quoting (copying the author’s exact words), paraphrasing (rewording an author’s ideas in your own words), or summarizing (condensing an author’s ideas in your own words), give credit to the author or source in an in-text, or parenthetical, citation. Note: the sample works cited entries would be double-spaced in an actual works cited page.

Print Sourcesp

Author/Page

The author’s(s’) last name(s) and page number(s) are given in parentheses following the information from the source.

Example of In-text Citation: His study of the nightclub scene took him to Seville “where the natives seem to be genetically indisposed to sleep” (Bryson 13).

Example of Works Cited: Bryson, Bill. “The New World of Spain.” National Geographic Apr. 1992: 3-33. Print.

Page

If the author is identified in the sentence, give the page number(s) only.

Example of In-text Citation: Bryson wittily remarked that in Seville “the natives seem to be genetically indisposed to sleep” (13).

Example of Works Cited: Bryson, Bill. “The New World of Spain.” National Geographic Apr. 1992: 3-33. Print.

Title

If there is no author, use the first significant word of the title of the book (underlined) or article (in quotations) and the page number.

Example of In-text Citation: Annually, 3.2 tons of airborne pollutants drift over the U.S. border into Canada (“Even” 140).

Example of Works Cited: “Even in Spring, Leaves Fall—Some Forever.” National Geographic Apr. 1992: 140. Print.

Note: the sample works cited entries would be double-spaced in an actual works cited page.

Indirect Source (For example, one source is being quoted or paraphrased in another author’s work.) Put qtd. in (quoted in) before the author of the indirect source and the page number if available.

Example of In-text Citation: Benjamin Franklin, the author of Poor Richard's Almanack, remarked, "Observe all men; thyself the most" (qtd. in Pittman). Example of Work Cited: Pittman, Michael. Home page. N.p., 11 Dec. 2002. Web. 12 May 2004.

Electronic Sources

No Page Numbers If the electronic source has no page numbers, use the author’s name in a signal phrase within the sentence.

Example of In-text Citation: David Kendall noted that Mark Twain has “a universal appeal that cuts across cultural, generational and geographic boundaries.”

Example of Works Cited: Kendall, David. “Computer Scanning Technology Enables Accurate Restoration of Mark Twain Home.” Antiques and the Arts Online. Bee, 2009. Web. 14 May 2009.

No Author’s Name and No Page Numbers

If the electronic source has no author and no page numbers, use the complete title in a signal phrase or use the first significant word in the title in parentheses.

Example of a Title in a Signal Phrase: According to “Poll: Rich Eye Space Tourism,” approximately 85 out of 450 wealthy Americans polled would be willing to pay $100,000 for a 15-minute space flight.

Example of a Shortened Title in Parentheses: Approximately 85 out of 450 wealthy Americans polled would be willing to pay $100,000 for a 15-minute space flight (“Poll”).

Example of the Work Cited: “Poll: Rich Eye Space Tourism.” The Learning Channel. Discovery Communications, 2001. Web. 23 May 2002.