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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): When a Work Is Quoted in Another Source

Works Quoting Another Source (Indirect Quote)

Sometimes the author of a source you are using (indirect source) may quote or paraphrase another source (original source). For example, the article you are reading was written by Kirkey, but they included a quotation by Smith that you would like to use in your essay.

The basic rule is that you would cite the source you are using in both your Works Cited list and in-text citation. Using the example, you would cite the work by Kirkey and not Smith. To help identify that the quote or paraphrase is from another author's work, you will add the words "qtd. in" to your in-text citation.

 

In-text citation example:
Paraphrase

According to a study by Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) 42% of doctors would refuse to perform legal euthanasia.

In-text citation example: Direct quote Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) states that “even if euthanasia was legal, 42% of doctors would be against this method of assisted dying” (A.10).
Works Cited list citation example Kirkey, Susan. "Euthanasia." The Montreal Gazette, 9 Feb. 2013, p. A.10. Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies.