Question

Select the correct parenthetical for a book with a known author.

(Running 122)
(Running 122)
(Smith, 122)
(Smith 122)

Answer 1

Parenthetical citation is used when you quote or mention a specific source used in your essays or thesis. In writing the correct citation to the author, it should be enclosed in a parenthesis, including the name of the author and the page number of the book. Among the given choices, the correct answer is, (Smith 22)

Answer 2

The correct answer is (Smith 122). According to MLA Handbook (8th ed.), a parenthetical reference for a book with one known author should include the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the quotation, paraphrase, or summary you are citing; there should be no punctuation between the author’s last name and the page number. In this case, the author of the book is Smith, and the quotation was taken from page 122 of Smith’s book; consequently, the parenthetical reference should be (Smith 122).