How to give credit

[gingergurf123]

Hi, I was wondering, how do you write something is by someone, for example and essay. Is it:
By: Spongebob
By Spongebob
by: Spongebob
or some other form? thanks in advanced!

[Grumpy]

Either of your first two examples would be fine.

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forums, gingergurf, and thanks for the great title to your post.

In the course of an essay you could write

'As Descartes wrote in 1637: "Cogito ergo sum".'

Or

'In the words of Descartes (1637): Cogito ergo sum.'

Or

'We can therefore say in conclusion: "Gogito ergo sum" (Descartes, 1637).'

Rover