What citation style should i use in my thesis: narrative or parenthetical?

[Dennis17]

I'm struggling to decide whether to use a narrative or parenthetical citation for a key historical source in my thesis chapter. My supervisor prefers a flowing narrative style, but every time I try to integrate the author and date into the sentence, it feels clunky and breaks my argument's rhythm.

[PatrickA]

I tried weaving the author and date into the sentence a few times, and it always jolts the rhythm. I end up rereading aloud and trimming the clause, only to lose the source's weight.

[VictoriaQR]

I went the other route once and threw in a parenthetical after the claim, but it stuck out like a scarf on a sweater; the paragraph felt slowed.

[Samuel24]

Do you think the problem is the citation style or the sentence needs a whole rewrite to breathe again?

[MatthewM]

If you want stronger narrative, treat the source as a voice: As X argues in 1923, the point lands and the sentence keeps moving.

[DonaldJA]

I drifted off topic once, and started thinking about margins and line breaks, then realized the reader cares about the argument more than the citation drama.

[KennethPA]

Maybe the middle ground is to mix: sometimes integrated, sometimes parenthetical, but pick a rule and stick to it so the rhythm isn't chasing itself.