How to Cite a Website in the Text of a Research Paper

Conducting research on the Internet is a popular way to find information. Just as you would cite borrowed information in your research from a book or other print source, you need to cite information from a website. An MLA style parenthetical citation is what you use to refer to the works of others; this method requires you to put source information in parenthesis after the quote or paraphrased material. The "MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers" (7th edition) should be accessible while writing a research paper for any citation question you may encounter.

Things You'll Need

  • "MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers" (7th edition)
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Instructions

    • 1

      The parenthetical citation's contents will depend upon the source -- in this case, a website. Your in-text information must correspond to the Works Cited page entry. The information borrowed from a website can either be quoted directly or paraphrased. The Internet based citation follows the style of printed materials.

    • 2

      The parenthetical citation belongs after the period at the end of the quotation. This follows MLA style and makes it clear exactly where the borrowed information ends. Check to be sure the in-text citation meets these two requirements: First, it must include enough information to be found in the list of works cited, and second, it must have enough information for the reader to find where the information was borrowed in the source.

    • 3

      Add to the quotation or paraphrase the information that appears in the Works Cited entry that relates to the citation. For example, the website name, article name or author. Page and paragraph numbers are not necessary.

    • 4

      Do not include URLs in-text unless you need to direct the reader to the corresponding Works Cited entry. If you must include the URL provide the domain name, for example, sciencenews.org or nytimes.com. Do not write http://www.science news.org or http://www.nytimes.com.

    • 5

      The Works Cited entry will need need the following information, if available: Author and/or editor names, article name in quotation marks, title of the website, project, or book in italics; any version numbers available, including revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers; publisher information, including the publisher name and publishing date, page numbers if available, the date you accessed the material and the URL.

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