When writing about poetry, it’s important to properly cite any poems that you reference or quote. This can be a bit tricky, as the rules for citing poetry differ from those for prose. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of how to cite poetry MLA and others in your academic writing or research papers.
We’ll discuss the information you need to help you cite a poem, such as an author’s name, the title of the poem, and the publication date. Also the different citation styles you might use. As it is important to uphold academic integrity and avoid plagiarism. Hence, it is best to create original work or buy lit essays from reputable sources when writing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and in compliance with academic standards.
Difference Between MLA And APA Citation Style
MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) are two commonly used citation styles in essay and academic writing. When rewriting an essay in both styles, you would need to ensure that the document is formatted according to the guidelines. You can effectively rewrite your essay by carefully analyzing the original one, identifying areas that require improvement, and applying appropriate editing techniques to produce a polished, refined final product. While both styles serve the same purpose of giving credit to sources used in a paper, they have some key differences in terms of format and citing sources.
One major difference between MLA and APA is how in-text citations are formatted. In MLA, the author’s last name and the page number are cited within the text, for example (Smith 23). In APA, the author’s last name and the year of publication are cited within the text, for example (Smith, 2020).
Another difference between MLA and APA is how the reference page is formatted. In MLA, the works cited page is listed at the end of the paper and includes all sources cited in the paper, with each entry listed alphabetically by the author’s last name. In APA, the reference list is also listed at the end of the paper, but sources are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name and each entry includes more detailed information about the publication.
MLA Style Poem Citation
MLA Style Poem Citation is a specific format used to cite a poem in academic writing using the guidelines provided by the Modern Language Association (MLA). The basic format of an MLA citation for a poem includes the poet’s name and the title of the poem in quotation marks. It also includes the website where the poem is found, the publication information, and the page numbers where the poem appears.
How To Cite a Poem Title
When citing a poem title in MLA style, the title should be enclosed in quotation marks and written in title-case capitalization. However, articles, conjunctions, and prepositions are not capitalized unless they are the first word of the title.
For example, the title of T.S. Eliot’s poem would be cited as “The Waste Land”.
Perhaps, you can also reach out to any type of academic writing service that provides assistance to students who need help in writing essays in MLA style if you are struggling with it. The analytical essays writing service typically offers assistance in conducting research, analyzing data. Formulating a thesis statement, organizing ideas, and structuring the essay is also an added advantage,
How To Cite a Web Poem
When citing a web poem in MLA style, you should include the following information:
- Poet’s Name
- Poem Title
- Website Title
- Publication Date
- URL
- Access Date.
Here is an example of how to cite a web poem in MLA style:
Bishop, Elizabeth. “One Art.” Poets.org, Academy of American Poets, 1997, www.poets.org/poem/one-art. Accessed 1 March 2023.
Citation of a Poem From a Book
When citing a poem from a book in MLA style, you should include the following information:
- Poet’s Name
- Title
- Book Title
- Editor
- Publication Information
Here is an example of how to cite a poem from a book in MLA style:
Eliot, T.S. “The Waste Land.” The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, edited by Jahan Ramazani et al., W.W. Norton, 2003, pp. 118-134.
struggle as possible.
Lines and Numbers for Citing a Poem in MLA
When citing a poem in MLA format, it is important to use line numbers instead of page numbers to indicate the location of the cited lines. If the poem is published with line numbers, include them in the citation. For example, (Frost lines 5-8). If the poem is not published with line numbers, count the number of lines in the poem and indicate the range of lines that the citation covers.
For example, (Whitman’s lines 12-15 of “Song of Myself”).
If the lines being cited span across multiple pages in the poem, indicate the range of line numbers and include the abbreviation “n.pag.” instead of a page number. For example, (Dickinson lines 7-12 of “I heard a Fly buzz – when I died” n.pag.).
2–3 lines
When citing a short quote (two or three lines) of a poem in MLA (Modern Language Association) style, use the SPLASH method. You should include the poet’s last name, the line numbers of the poem, and the quoted text within your sentence.
Here’s an example of how to use the method to cite a 2-3 line quote from a poem:
In William Shakespeare’s sonnet 18, the speaker asks, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate” (lines 1-2).
4+ lines
When citing a poem of more than three lines in MLA format, you should use a block quote. A block quote is a section of text that is indented from the left margin and set apart from the rest of the text.
To format a block quote for a poem in MLA, follow these guidelines:
- Start the quote on a new line, indented 1 inch from the left margin.
- Do not use quotation marks around the quote.
- Use double spacing throughout the quote.
- If the quote includes multiple stanzas, indicate the line breaks with a slash (/) between each line.
- Include the author’s last name and line numbers in parentheses after the quote.
For example:
In Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” he writes:
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
(Frost, lines 1-4)
Cite a Poem without Lines
When citing a poem without lines in MLA format, you should follow the general guidelines for citing a poem but omit the line numbers. Instead, you can include a page number or a range of pages if the poem appears in a larger work.
To cite a poem without lines in MLA format, follow this format:
Poet’s Last Name, Poet’s First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Book or Anthology, edited by Editor’s First Name and Last Name, Publisher, Year of Publication, page number range.
For instance:
Smith, John. “The River.” The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, edited by Jahan Ramazani et al., W.W. Norton, 2003, pp. 34-35.
How To Quote Multiple Lines of a Poem
There are different ways to quote multiple lines of a poem in MLA style, depending on the length of the quote, the number of stanzas, and the purpose of the quotation. Ensure that the custom writing for you follows the same procedure. Here are a few ways to quote a poem of more than four lines in MLA style:
- Use a colon to introduce the quote and indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin. Include the line number in parentheses at the end of the quote.
- Use a signal phrase to introduce the quote and indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin.
- Use a slash (/) to indicate line breaks within stanzas and use a double slash (//) to indicate stanza breaks.
- Use a block quote for longer quotes of four or more lines, and indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin.
- Use ellipses (…) to indicate omitted words or lines within the quote, and use brackets to indicate added words or changes.
- Use italics to emphasize specific words or phrases within the quote poetry quotations.
MLA In-text Citations for Poems
When citing a poem in MLA format, you should include the author’s last name and the line numbers of the poem in parentheses in the text of your paper. For example:
In “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” Eliot writes, “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons” (line 51).
If you are citing more than one poem by the same author, include the poem’s title or a shortened version of it in your citation:
In “The Waste Land,” Eliot writes, “April is the cruelest month” (line 1). However, in “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” he writes, “In the room, the women come and go / Talking of Michelangelo” (lines 13-14).
If you are citing a poem from an anthology, include the anthology’s editor’s name, the title of the anthology, the page numbers of the poem, and the publication information for the anthology,
How To Quote A Poetry in APA Style
When quoting poetry in APA style, you should use a slash (/) to indicate line breaks and include the line numbers in parentheses. Here are some examples:
Single Poem:
According to William Wordsworth, “I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o’er vales and hills” (lines 1-2).
Multiple Poems By The Same Author:
In Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” he writes, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep” (lines 13-14). In his poem “The Road Not Taken,” he reflects on his decision to take the less-traveled path: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by” (lines 1-2).
Poem From An Anthology:
If you are citing a poem from an anthology, you should include the author’s name, the year of publication, the title of the poem, the title of the anthology, the page numbers, and the publication information.
Common Checklist for Citing Poems
There are provision guidelines for citing sources in academic writing. When citing a poem or if you want to cite your essay, it is important to follow a general checklist to ensure that you are providing accurate and complete information in your citations.
The checklist for citing a poem in a research paper includes:
- Determine the citation style required by your instructor or publication (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago).
- Identify the author, title of the poem, and the date of publication if available.
- Determine if the poem was published as a standalone work or as part of an anthology or collection.
- Use the appropriate in text citation format for the style you are using, including any necessary punctuation, such as quotation marks or italics.
There is a list of important features to consider when citing a poem in MLA and APA format. It is important to consider that poetry analysis in MLA style should include the structure, form, language, literary devices, etc., used by the poet. By following the guidelines below, you can properly analyze and cite poems in MLA style, and produce a high-quality analysis that meets academic standards.
MLA Format:
- Include the author’s last name and line numbers in parentheses.
- If citing more than one poem by the same author, include the poem’s title or a shortened version of it in your citation.
- If citing a poem from an anthology, include the anthology’s editor’s name, the title of the anthology, the page numbers of the poem, and the publication information for the anthology.
APA Format:
- Use a slash (/) to indicate line breaks and include the line numbers in parentheses.
- If citing a poem from an anthology, include the author’s name, the year of publication, the title of the poem, the title of the anthology, the page numbers, and the publication information.
- Follow the rules for formatting in-text citations and references as outlined in the APA Publication Manual.
In both formats, be sure to follow the specific guidelines and requirements provided by your instructor or publisher.
Conclusion
Citing a poem requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines depending on the citation style being used. It’s important to consider the length of the quote, the formatting of the poem, and any additional information needed. Following the correct in-text citation style and formatting not only shows respect for the original author’s work but also helps to avoid plagiarism and give credit where credit is due.
