MLA (Modern Language Association) format is usually required for English and Humanities essays. Formatting a paper in this style involves three things:

  1. The way the entire paper is formatted (including margins and headings)
  2. A bibliography (called a Works Cited page)
  3. In-text parenthetical citations

In-text citations basically let readers know where the writer obtained the information in the essay (whether it's a direct quotation or in the writer's own words). If the reader wants more information about the source, he only needs to turn to the Works Cited page and find the source. But how does the writer create the in-text citations?

Integrating Sources Into the Essay

To actually integrate sources into an essay, the writer must reference one of her sources. She can do so in several ways. She can either directly quote her source, or she can put the information in her own words, using a signal phrase to introduce the information. Both ways usually involve a parenthetical reference as well.