How to Make an In-Text Citation with No Author
In academic writing, in-text citations are essential for acknowledging the sources of information used in your work. However, what if you come across a source with no author listed? Don’t worry; it’s still possible to create a proper in-text citation. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making an in-text citation with no author.
Understanding the Purpose of In-Text Citations
Before diving into the specifics of in-text citations with no author, it’s important to understand their purpose. In-text citations serve several functions:
1. Give credit to the original source of the information.
2. Allow readers to locate the source material easily.
3. Prevent plagiarism by acknowledging the work of others.
Formatting an In-Text Citation with No Author
When citing a source with no author, you’ll follow a specific format. Here’s how to do it:
1. Start with the year of publication: Place the year of publication in parentheses immediately following the cited information. For example, “According to a study (2020),…” If you’re citing multiple sources with no author, include the year for each source in the order they appear in your text.
2. Use a shortened title: After the year, include a shortened version of the source’s title. Use quotation marks to indicate that it’s a title. For example, “According to a study (2020), ‘The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities’…”
3. Capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title: When shortening the title, capitalize the first letter of each major word, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Avoid capitalizing articles, conjunctions, or prepositions unless they are the first word in the title.
4. Use a shortened title for each source: If you’re citing multiple sources with no author, use a shortened title for each source. This helps readers distinguish between different sources.
Example of an In-Text Citation with No Author
Suppose you’re writing about the effects of social media on mental health. You come across a study with no author, and you want to cite it in your text. Here’s how you would format the in-text citation:
According to a study (2020), “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health,” the use of social media has been linked to increased anxiety and depression among young adults (Smith, 2020).
In this example, “Smith, 2020” is a shortened title for the source, and the year is included in parentheses to indicate the publication date.
Conclusion
In-text citations with no author can be challenging, but by following the proper format, you can easily acknowledge the sources of information used in your work. Remember to include the year of publication, a shortened title, and capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title. By doing so, you’ll ensure that your in-text citations are accurate and effective.
