Question

which in-text citation is formatted correctly in mla style?
homer writes that odysseus and his men \were left to groan and wait for morning.\ (homer, 218)
homer writes \that odysseus and his men were left to groan and wait for morning\ (homer: 218).
homer writes that odysseus and his men \were left to groan and wait for morning\ (218).
homer writes \that odysseus and his men were left to groan and wait for morning\ (218)

Explanation:

MLA in-text citation for a single author work only requires the page number in parentheses when the author's name is already stated in the sentence. The quotation mark should close before the parenthetical citation, and there should be no internal punctuation in the parenthesis.

1. The first option incorrectly repeats the author's name in the parenthesis.
2. The second option uses a colon in the parenthesis and misplaces the quotation mark.
3. The fourth option misplaces the quotation mark (it should close before the parenthesis).

Answer:

Homer writes that Odysseus and his men "were left to groan and wait for morning" (218).