Ever found yourself staring at a sentence with a parenthetical citation, wondering if the period goes inside or outside? It's a common dilemma that stumps even experienced writers, but getting this detail right is crucial for clear and professional academic work. In this video, we clarify the rules around punctuation and parenthetical citations, covering: ► The general rule: how sentence-ending punctuation typically follows the citation rather than appearing inside it. ► Specific exceptions to be aware of, particularly when the cited material itself ends with punctuation like a question mark or exclamation point. ► The critical importance of consulting specific style guides (like MLA, APA, or Chicago) for their nuanced instructions on citation formatting. ► Why correct punctuation in citations contributes significantly to readability and upholding academic integrity in your writing. #ParentheticalCitations, #PunctuationRules, #AcademicWriting, #CitationGuide, #WritingTips, #GrammarHelp, #TheLanguageLibrary