Parenthetical citations are essential for academic writing, helping you credit sources without interrupting the flow of your paper. However, when I first started, I found it confusing to get the format right, whether it was APA, MLA, or Chicago. Knowing how to use the correct citation format without spending too much time researching can be tricky. In this guide, I'll explain how to write parenthetical citations step by step with a parenthetical citation example for each style.
Parenthetical citation example
APA Style Parenthetical Citation Example
When I first started working with APA citations, I found the author-date format quite intuitive. But getting the details right, like when to include a page number or when to use "et al." took a little practice. Let me walk you through it, along with a parenthetical citation example for each.
For a single author, you might cite a source like this:
single author APA In-text
For two authors: If there are two authors, separate them with an ampersand:
Two authors APA In-text
For three or more authors: List the first author's last name followed by “et al.”:
More than two authors APA In-text
When citing specific pages, use “p.” for a single page and “pp.” for a page range. For instance, (Johnson, 2021, p. 45) or (Johnson & Lee, 2021, pp. 12–13).
The citation should always come before the period that ends the sentence.
Why it works:
APA’s author-date system allows readers to quickly locate the source of an idea without interrupting the flow of the text. Whether you're writing a research paper or a thesis, this method ensures clarity and precision, especially for academic subjects that focus on timeliness and relevance. If you’re struggling with the format still, then you can follow this guide on how to do in-text citations.
Tip:
One feature I love about WPS Office is how its referencing panel automatically generates citations as you type. It saved me a lot of time when I was formatting papers with multiple citations. It’s a small feature, but it makes a big difference when you're juggling multiple citation styles.
MLA Style Parenthetical Citation Example
When I switched from APA to MLA for my humanities papers, I quickly noticed the difference in how citations were formatted. Unlike APA’s author-date system, MLA citations focus on the author and page number. This made sense to me, especially when I was writing about literature, where pinpointing specific pages in a text is essential. Let me walk you through how MLA parenthetical citations work.
Author's last name and page number: In MLA, the citation contains the author's last name and the page number without a comma between them. For example, (Moore 37).
For two authors: If a source has two authors, both names are included, separated by "and": (Moore and Patel 48–50).
For three or more authors: Include the first author's name followed by “et al.”: (Moore et al. 59, 34).
Citing multiple pages: If you need to cite a span of pages, include the full range: (Moore and Patel 48–50). For non-consecutive pages, separate the page numbers with commas: (Moore et al. 59, 34).
Here’s a parenthetical reference example if it were all put together in an essay or a research paper.
Parenthetical MLA In-text
Why it works:
The MLA citation style is designed to keep the focus on the text itself. By including the author’s last name and the page number, readers can quickly locate the reference within the text. This system is especially useful for subjects like literature and history, where pinpointing exact pages is crucial for discussing specific passages.
Tip:
When I first got used to MLA style, I found it helpful to use citation tools like Scribbr’s free MLA Citation Generator. It saved me time, especially when I had multiple sources to reference. But if you’re using WPS Office, their MLA templates work just as efficiently to help format your citations.
Chicago Style Parenthetical Citation Example
When I started using Chicago style for my history papers, I found it offered more flexibility compared to APA and MLA. Chicago allows you to choose between using footnotes or an author-date system, but for this section, we’ll focus on the author-date style, which is common in many fields like social sciences and natural sciences.
Parenthetical Chicago In-text
Author’s last name and publication year: Chicago citations follow the author-date format, with the author’s name and publication year in parentheses, separated by a space. For example: (Swan 2003, 6).
For multiple authors: If there are two authors, include both last names, separated by “and,” followed by the year. For three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (e.g., Swan and Lee 2003 or Swan et al. 2003).
For page numbers: If citing a specific page or range, include the page number(s) after the year, separated by a comma. For instance, Swan 2003, 6 or Swan 2003, 6–7.
Placement: As with APA and MLA, the citation goes at the end of the sentence but before the period.
Chicago Footnote
Why it works:
The Chicago author-date system is especially useful for academic writing that requires clear documentation without the clutter of footnotes. It provides a straightforward way to cite sources within the text, and readers can easily trace the reference to the full bibliography at the end of the paper.
Tip:
I’ve found using tools like Scribbr’s Chicago reference generator incredibly helpful for automatically creating accurate citations. But if you're writing on the fly, WPS Office also makes it easier to switch between citation styles, including Chicago, without the need for a reference guide.
Stay Focused While Writing with WPS Office
Once you've got your citations in check and you're feeling confident with the formatting that you have understood from the parenthetical citation examples, the next step is staying productive and focused as you write. And that's where the right writing tool can make all the difference. I’ve found that WPS Office offers the perfect environment for this, providing a smooth, responsive space to get my work done without distractions. Whether I’m drafting a paper, working on a presentation, or tackling a spreadsheet, WPS Office keeps everything organized and efficient.
Step 1: Launch WPS Writer on your Laptop and create a .docx document.
Open WPS Writer
Step 2: Go to “References” > “Insert Citation,” enter author, year, and page (if needed). WPS AI suggests APA format.
Insert Citation
Step 3: Use WPS AI to check citation accuracy, ensuring correct punctuation and style.
Benefits of WPS Office:
Lightweight Design: The minimal memory usage of WPS Office ensures that it runs smoothly on any computer, even older ones or those with limited resources. I’ve been able to work on large documents without the software slowing me down or crashing.
Full Compatibility: Whether it’s DOCX, XLSX, or PPTX files, I can open, edit, and save them without any issues. I don’t have to worry about compatibility problems, especially when collaborating with others who use Microsoft Office.
WPS AI Tools: The built-in AI features are a game changer. From automatic backups to document recovery, it’s a lifesaver. I can keep my workflow going without stressing about losing my work or dealing with technical hiccups.
I’ve been using WPS Office for quite a while now, and I have to say, it’s made a huge difference in my productivity. I used to struggle with lagging software or constant crashes, especially when working on larger documents. But with WPS Office, I can easily manage my projects, whether I’m writing, editing, or analyzing data. The best part? It’s completely free, and it’s all in one place, like Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, and PDF functions all work seamlessly together.
WPS Office has become my go-to tool, whether I’m working on a school project or drafting a personal report. It’s simple, reliable, and it helps me stay focused on what really matters, which is getting the job done efficiently.
FAQs
Q1: What is a parenthetical citation?
It’s a way of citing sources within the text using parentheses, including the author’s name, date, and sometimes a page number.
Q2: Do different citation styles use different formats?
Yes. APA, MLA, and Chicago each have unique formats for citing within the text. APA uses author-date, MLA uses author-page, and Chicago can use either author-date or footnotes.
Q3: Can I use citation generators?
Absolutely. WPS Office offers a citation generator that can quickly create citations in any style, and there are many other free tools available online as well.
Q4: What if my source has no author?
Use the title of the work instead, as shown in the examples for MLA and APA.
Simplifying Citations with WPS Office
Parenthetical citations are crucial for academic writing; that's why understanding them with a parenthetical citation example makes it easier to understand, but with tools like WPS Office, they don’t have to be complicated. Whether you're using APA, MLA, or Chicago, WPS Office helps you cite efficiently and stay productive. It offers a lightweight, easy-to-use environment, so you can focus on writing, not formatting.
