Citing a Poem: A Comprehensive Guide
Citing a poem in academic or literary work is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and providing proper attribution to the original author. The citation style you use may vary depending on your discipline or the specific guidelines provided by your institution. Here, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to cite a poem in MLA, APA, and Chicago styles.
Citing a Poem in MLA Style
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities. Here's how to cite a poem in MLA format:
In-Text Citation
For parenthetical citations, include the poet's last name and the line number(s) where the information is found. If you mention the poet's name in your text, you only need to include the line number(s) in the parenthesis.
Example: According to Dickinson (5-6), "Hope" is "the thing with feathers."
Works Cited Entry
For the Works Cited page, list the poem's author, the title of the poem in quotation marks, the title of the collection (if applicable), the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the publication date, and the page number(s).
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Poet's last name, First name | Dickinson, Emily |
| Title of the poem | "Hope is the thing with feathers" |
| Title of the collection (if applicable) | The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson |
| Editor (if applicable) | Martha Dickinson Bianchi and Alfred Leete Hampson, eds. |
| Publisher | Little, Brown, and Company |
| Publication date | 1924 |
| Page number(s) | 5-6 |
Citing a Poem in APA Style
APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in social sciences. Here's how to cite a poem in APA format:
In-Text Citation
For in-text citations, include the poet's last name and the year of publication. If you mention the poet's name in your text, you only need to include the year in the parenthesis.
Example: According to Dickinson (1924), "Hope" is "the thing with feathers."
Reference List Entry
For the Reference List, list the poem's author, the year of publication, the title of the poem in quotation marks, the title of the collection (if applicable), and the publisher.
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Poet's last name, First name | Dickinson, E. |
| Year of publication | 1924 |
| Title of the poem | "Hope is the thing with feathers" |
| Title of the collection (if applicable) | The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson |
| Publisher | Little, Brown, and Company |
Citing a Poem in Chicago Style
Chicago style is often used in history and other disciplines that require extensive use of primary sources. Here's how to cite a poem in Chicago format:
Note in the Text
For in-text citations, include the poet's last name and the page number(s) where the information is found. If you mention the poet's name in your text, you only need to include the page number(s) in the parenthesis.
Example: According to Dickinson, "Hope" is "the thing with feathers" (5-6).
Bibliographic Entry
For the bibliography, list the poem's author, the title of the poem in quotation marks, the title of the collection (if applicable), the editor (if applicable), the translator (if applicable), the publisher, the publication date, and the page number(s).
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Poet's last name, First name | Dickinson, Emily |
| Title of the poem | "Hope is the thing with feathers" |
| Title of the collection (if applicable) | The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson |
| Editor (if applicable) | Martha Dickinson Bianchi and Alfred Leete Hampson, eds. |
| Translator (if applicable) | N/A |
| Publisher | Little, Brown, and Company |
| Publication date | 1924 |
| Page number(s) | 5-6 |
Remember, consistency is key in citations. Always follow the guidelines provided by your institution or the specific style manual you're using. If you're unsure about a specific aspect of citation, don't hesitate to ask your instructor or consult a librarian.
Citing a poem correctly not only shows respect for the original author but also helps your readers understand the context and source of your ideas. So, the next time you're writing about a poem, make sure to cite it accurately and effectively.
