Understanding parenthetical citations is essential for any type of academic writing, including research papers and content writing. These citations are important to avoid plagiarism and strengthen the credibility of your work. In this guide, we’ll talk about how to do parenthetical citations, the differences between parenthetical and narrative citations. Besides, we’ll provide you with parenthetical citations examples that will allow you to cite sources like a pro!
What is a Parenthetical Citation?
Parenthetical or in-text citation is used to cite sources directly in the body of your work. Such kind of a citation provides an immediate reference to a source and does not interrupt the flow of the text. Parenthetical citation consists of the author's last name and the date of publication in parentheses after a quote or paraphrase.
For instance, if you write in MLA format, your parenthetical citations will look like this: (Smith 23). This is called in-text citation style, where Smith is the author's last name, and 23 is the page number.
Obviously, to maintain academic integrity, a parenthetical citation must be properly added in your writing.
How to Create Parenthetical Citations
Although adding a parenthetic citation is not so tough, it is important to remember that an in-text citation varies in different citation styles. Below are some key tips:
- MLA Format: Use the author's last name alongside the page number, e.g., (Doe 45).
- APA Format: Include the author's last name along with the publication year and page number if relevant: (Doe, 2020, p. 45).
- Chicago Style: Similar to MLA format but typically includes both author’s last name and publication year: (Doe 2020, 45).
Struggling with properly formatting citations? Utilizing tools like JustDone can speed up this process by enabling quick and accurate citation generation. The AI features offered by JustDone can help ensure that your citations comply with proper formatting standards effortlessly.
Parenthetical Citations Examples
To make you understand how to create parenthetical citations, here’s a clear and concise table that shows types of parenthetical citation with examples in both APA and MLA formats:
Citation Type | APA Format Example | MLA Format Example |
| Print source with known author | Woolf argues that “books are the mirrors of the soul” (25). “Books are the mirrors of the soul” (Woolf 25). | Woolf (1929) argues that “books are the mirrors of the soul.” “Books are the mirrors of the soul” (Woolf, 1929, p. 25). |
| Print source with unknown author | “Overuse of technology can impact sleep patterns” (“Digital Habits” 14). | (“Digital Habits and Sleep”, 2021). “Overuse of technology...” (“Digital Habits”, 2021). |
| Two authors | “The world is more interconnected than ever” (Castells and Himanen 88). | Castells and Himanen (2014) state that “the world is more interconnected than ever.” (Castells & Himanen, 2014). |
| Three or more authors | “Global culture is constantly reshaped” (Appadurai et al. 107). | Appadurai et al. (2011) believe that “global culture is constantly reshaped.” (Appadurai et al., 2011). |
| No page number (online source) | “Language changes faster in online communities” (Evans). | Evans (2019) found that “language changes faster in online communities” (para. 4). |
| Quoting a chapter or table | “Environmental shifts are deeply political” (Taylor 43). | Taylor (2006) highlights political impact on the environment (Table 2). |
| Paraphrasing an idea (single page) | Power and resistance are always interlinked (Foucault 126). | Power and resistance are always interlinked (Foucault, 1980). |
| Paraphrasing an idea (multiple pages) | Foucault outlines how institutions exert control (Foucault 122–126, 130–132). | Institutions exert control through subtle mechanisms (Foucault, 1980). |
| Indirect citation (citing a cited source) | (qtd. in Bell 91) | (Marx, as cited in Bell, 2002, p. 91) |
| Citing part of an anthology | “The river was a symbol of time” (Faulkner 210). | Faulkner (1955) saw the river as symbolic of time (p. 210). |
Parenthetical vs Narrative Citation
To be good at academic writing, it is important to know the difference between parenthetical and narrative citations. Basically, in a parenthetical citation, you see source information in parentheses, like I just described above. In contrast, a narrative citation puts the name of the author into the very text itself, emphasizing their role. For example,
Narrative Citation: Smith (2020) suggests that... Which one you decide to use largely depends on how you write and what content flow you prefer. Both approaches are acceptable, but using parenthetical citations is commonly considered a more seamless way that improves the clarity of your work.
Why Use Parenthesis Citations: An Example from Real Life
Imagine this scenario: You’re writing a research paper on climate change. Using parenthetical citations to reference the information, you make your research different from others and help ensure you can effectively capture your takeaways from a wide variety of sources. Parenthetical citations not only reinforce your argument but also give more credibility to your research.
Personally, I often rely on JustDone’s tools when drafting these citations to save time and minimize errors.
Final Thoughts on Parenthetical Citations
Mastering parenthetical citations is an essential competence for any writer. By comprehending them, learning how to correctly add them into your work, and distinguishing between both parental and narrative styles, your writing's credibility can be significantly leveled up. Remember that AI generative tools like JustDone exist to aid you throughout this process so that you can focus more on creating engaging content while ensuring accurate sourcing practices are upheld. Start implementing these strategies today, and soon you will become a true master of citations.
