How To State An Article In An Essay: Answers To The Questions Everyone Is Asking
Ah, the dreaded essay. Just the word can make some people sweat. And within that mighty challenge, there's a tiny but mighty beast: stating the article in your essay. Yes, that seemingly simple task. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. Or, more accurately, finding the exact needle you need, the one that perfectly fits your thesis. Everyone asks about it. Everyone wonders. Is there a secret handshake? A magic incantation?
Let's be honest, professors don't often dedicate whole lectures to "How to Properly Name That Thing You're Talking About." They assume you just know. But do we? Honestly? We stare at the prompt. We read the article. And then… crickets. What do we even call it? The article? The text? The piece? It feels like a linguistic minefield.
Here's a thought, and brace yourselves, because this might be slightly controversial. Maybe, just maybe, it doesn't have to be a big production. Shocking, I know. You're probably thinking, "But Professor Smith said to always use the author's last name and the title in italics!" And yes, that's a thing. A very common thing. But is it the only thing?
Let's explore some of the burning questions. First up: "When do I actually say the article's name?" The answer is usually at the beginning. Think of it as introducing your guest of honor. You wouldn't just start talking about Aunt Mildred's questionable casserole recipe without mentioning who made it, right? So, "In 'The Hidden Life of Squirrels' by Dr. Nuttykins..." sounds about right. Or, "Dr. Nuttykins, in her fascinating article 'The Hidden Life of Squirrels'..."
Then comes the follow-up question: "How formal does it need to be?" This is where things get fun. If you're writing for a super-duper academic journal, then yes, go full formal. Name, title, publication year, the whole nine yards. But for most college essays? Relax. Breathe. You're not writing a presidential address. Unless, of course, your essay is about presidential addresses. Then maybe step it up a notch.
What about when you've mentioned it already? "Do I have to keep saying the full title every time?" Thank goodness, no. Once you've introduced your star player, you can often just refer to "Nuttykins's article" or even just "her research." It's like calling your friend Bob "Bob" the first time, and then just "B" or "the guy" later on. Nobody needs the full introduction every single time.
Here's another one that causes widespread panic: "What if the article doesn't have a super obvious title?" Some articles are like, "Analysis of Trends." Very exciting. In those cases, you might lean more on the author's name. "Dr. Generic's analysis of trends suggests..." Or you can be a bit descriptive. "In his article discussing recent economic shifts, Dr. Generic argues..." It's about being clear, not about reciting Shakespeare.
And the golden question: "Is there a 'wrong' way to do it?" Oh, absolutely. The classic rookie mistake is to just launch into your argument without any introduction. "Squirrels are fluffy." Where did this startling revelation come from? Did a squirrel just whisper it to you? We need context! So, not saying the article at all is generally a no-no. Also, getting the author's name hilariously wrong. Imagine writing about Dr. Seuss and calling him "Dr. Sue." The internet would have a field day.
My personal, possibly unpopular opinion? Sometimes, a simple sentence works wonders. "This essay will examine Dr. Nuttykins's findings on squirrel behavior as presented in 'The Hidden Life of Squirrels'." See? Perfectly clear. No need for a theatrical flourish. It's like saying, "Hi, I'm here to talk about this thing."
The key is to be readable and understandable. Your reader (your professor, bless their patient soul) needs to know what you're basing your arguments on. They need to know which article you're referencing. And they need to know who wrote it.
Think of it as giving directions. You wouldn't just say, "Turn left." You'd say, "Turn left at the big oak tree." And then, on your next sentence, you might just say, "Then, continue down the path." You don't need to re-describe the oak tree every single time.
So, the next time you're staring down an essay, and the article title seems to be playing hide-and-seek, remember: clarity, a touch of formality (but not too much!), and the simple act of introducing your source. It's not rocket science. It's just… essay science. And you, my friend, are totally capable of mastering it. Now go forth and cite with confidence!