Question 13

An in-text citation should include the author's last name.

In-text citations primarily serve to credit the original source of information, which is typically indicated by the author's last name in academic writing.

A) Name of publisher

While the name of the publisher is important in a full citation, it is not included in in-text citations. In-text citations focus on the attribution of ideas or information to the original author, rather than the publication details.

B) City of publication

The city of publication is also relevant for full citations but does not appear in in-text citations. In-text citations aim to provide a quick reference to the source, emphasizing the author’s identity rather than the publication location.

C) Author's last name

Including the author's last name is essential for in-text citations. This allows readers to easily identify and locate the full citation in the reference list, thereby attributing the ideas or findings to the correct author.

D) Year of publication

While the year of publication is often included in in-text citations alongside the author's last name, it is not the only required element. However, the question specifically asks for the essential information, which is the author's last name.

Conclusion

The author's last name is a fundamental component of in-text citations, as it directly connects the cited information to its source. Other options, such as the publisher's name and city of publication, are relevant for full citations but do not apply to the in-text format. Thus, option C is definitively correct while the other options miss the mark regarding the specific requirements of in-text citations.