Research Paper halp? Parenthetical citation, MLA format, life in danger.

**Jeff777** · 03-06-2011 08:00 PM

Okay so I'm writing a problems/solutions paper in MLA format and I must cite the sources being used using parenthetical citations.

I have a few questions that maybe you smart asses can answer that I've been having trouble resolving on my own through my own searching.

1. When you paraphrase a source from a pdf document that has NO page number, how in the hell do you cite it? I read somewhere that for an HTML document you're supposed to cite it by only using the author's last name (but it didn't say you do the same thing for a pdf document). For example:

PDF document

Ted Johnson, of the Brookings institute, asserts that many kids who suffer from Diabetes type I are more susceptible to contracting liver disease later in life (Johnson).

Would that citation at the end be correct? Not the bullshit statement I made up about Johnson's assertion, but how the source was cited if its from a pdf document without a given page number.

Thanks for the help.

**Maria92** · 03-06-2011 08:20 PM

Well, at the top of most PDF readers, there's a page number thingy. It may not be on the printed page directly, but that might suffice. It counts the electronic page number, like what Microsoft Word does.

**louie54** · 03-07-2011 12:39 AM

Hmm yeah good question. My only advice I suppose would be to do what Mario said. It should just count it electronically in your Reader.

Do you think your teacher will check? I guess maybe if your life depends on it

**Jeff777** · 03-07-2011 04:43 AM

Yeah she'll check, and I'm not entirely sure.. I mean I would love it if I could pull that off but I just don't know if it'll fly with her..

**Maria92** · 03-07-2011 04:51 AM

How to Cite Page Numbers in APA Format When No Page Numbers Are Given | eHow.com

Here's something about what to do in APA. Basically, cite the paragraph number. If doing so is not feasible, the electronic page number ought to be fine. She'll know what you mean. If she doesn't like it, she might ding you half a point, but it shouldn't be too bad at all.

**louie54** · 03-10-2011 09:53 PM

We're going to need to move this to the Homework sub-forum once it gets put in place, Jeff. Just so you know. You ok with that?

**Jeff777** · 03-10-2011 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mario92

How to Cite Page Numbers in APA Format When No Page Numbers Are Given | eHow.com

Here's something about what to do in APA. Basically, cite the paragraph number. If doing so is not feasible, the electronic page number ought to be fine. She'll know what you mean. If she doesn't like it, she might ding you half a point, but it shouldn't be too bad at all.

Granted the style we were supposed to use is MLA, I have article summaries due tomorrow morning which has to be done using APA so this'll definitely help. Thanks bro.

Originally Posted by louie54

We're going to need to move this to the Homework sub-forum once it gets put in place, Jeff. Just so you know. You ok with that?

It's typical to move relevant threads to new forums to encourage activity, I'm okay with it.. even though I turned my paper in this past Monday.

**louie54** · 03-11-2011 01:58 AM

Lol I was actually just trying to make you feel better, you know since you thought you could die.

**Armistice** · 03-14-2011 05:20 AM

If information isn't there, it's not there. Use the citing for PDF. You won't be faulted for leaving out information. If it's not there, oh well, move on. If your teacher has beef, explain the situation, but most professors won't examine your Works Cited page. They look to see if the format is right, and that's it. If you have missing info, they'll assume that it wasn't available (this is usually for any internet content as copyright and authors aren't on the page 90% of the time)