Description
Teach students how to write in-text citations using MLA format using this lesson! Students will practice formatting guidelines and explore the differences between parenthetical and narrative in-text citations. This resource includes an interactive slideshow lesson, practice worksheets to cite sources, and activities to familiarize students with MLA format. Suitable for online learning with digital worksheets for Google Classroom®.
Included with this In-Text Citations Lesson:
- In-Text Citations Slideshow Lesson – Google Slides®, Microsoft PowerPoint®, and PDF
- In-Text Citations Comprehension Quiz – Digital & Print
- In-Text Citations Practice Worksheets – Digital & Print
- Correcting In-Text Citations Activity – Digital & Print
- Detailed Answer Keys
- Teacher Instructions for using this resource
How to use this In-Text Citations Lesson:
In this lesson, students will learn the necessary steps for formatting in-text citations accurately to maintain academic integrity. Properly citing sources within the body of an essay is a critical skill that ensures research is credible and avoids plagiarism. This lesson will guide students through the fundamentals of in-text citation formatting, focusing on how to properly credit sources while maintaining a smooth flow of writing. They will explore the difference between parenthetical and narrative in-text citations, gaining insight into when and how to use each format effectively. To reinforce their understanding, students will also engage in hands-on practice activities, allowing them to apply these concepts in a structured and supportive way.
You can begin this lesson with the In-Text Citations Slideshow Lesson, which is formatted for both Microsoft PowerPoint® and Google Slides®. This interactive presentation breaks down the purpose of writing in-text citations and explains how they connect to the Works Cited page. By examining real-world examples, students will see how in-text citations are essential for tracing information back to its source, helping them develop a clear understanding of citation placement and format. The slideshow will also differentiate between parenthetical and narrative citations, demonstrating the situations in which each type is appropriate. Finally, students will apply this knowledge to a set of interactive question prompts within the slideshow, ensuring they can correctly format citations in their own writing.
To accompany this slideshow lesson, an In-Text Citations Comprehension Quiz has been provided. This assessment ensures that students have grasped the key concepts from the In-Text Citations Lesson and can accurately identify the correct citation format for various scenarios. The quiz covers essential MLA format guidelines, explores the purpose of in-text citations, and assesses students’ ability to recognize properly formatted citations. This quiz is available in both an editable Google Forms® file and a ready-to-print PDF format, making it flexible for both digital and traditional classroom settings. The Google Forms® version allows for automatic grading, providing instant feedback, while the PDF format offers a pen-and-paper option for written assessments.
Students can then practice writing both parenthetical and narrative in-text citations using the In-Text Citations Practice Worksheets. These worksheets include 10 diverse sources, featuring both electronic and print materials commonly used in research. Each source provides key bibliographic details, and students must apply MLA formatting rules to construct both a parenthetical and narrative citation for each one. By working through multiple examples, students will solidify their understanding of the differences between these two citation styles. This structured approach reinforces citation rules while encouraging students to think critically about how to incorporate sources into their writing in a way that is both seamless and properly formatted.
Students will then evaluate different examples of in-text citations using the Correcting In-Text Citations Activity. This error identification exercise presents a range of parenthetical and narrative citations, some of which contain common formatting mistakes. Students must analyze each example, determine if it follows MLA guidelines, and correct any errors they identify. Additionally, they will classify whether each citation is parenthetical or narrative, reinforcing their ability to differentiate between these two styles. This activity not only strengthens students’ knowledge of MLA citation rules but also enhances their attention to detail, helping them recognize subtle errors that could impact the credibility of their work.
By completing this In-Text Citations Lesson, students will gain the confidence to correctly integrate citations into their writing, ensuring that they can properly attribute sources and adhere to MLA standards. Through a combination of interactive lessons, assessments, hands-on practice, and error correction exercises, this resource provides a comprehensive approach to teaching in-text citations. By the end of the lesson, students will be well-equipped to apply accurate citation practices in their research papers, essays, and academic projects.
✨ Kindly note that due to copyright restrictions, this resource is not editable. This is a common practice within the online marketplace in order to protect the clipartists and software providers that have authorized their intellectual property for the development of this resource.
⭒ For classrooms utilizing Google Classroom® ⭒
To access the digital version of these worksheets, simply follow the instructions within the resource to copy the files directly to your Google Drive®.
