How to Cite Plays: A Comprehensive Guide
Citing plays can be a challenging task, especially for students and researchers who need to incorporate dramatic works into their academic papers. Whether you're writing a research paper, a thesis, or an essay, citing plays is essential to give credit to the playwright and avoid plagiarism. In this article, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to cite plays in different citation styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago.
Citation Styles for Plays
The citation style you choose will depend on the academic discipline, institution, or instructor's requirements. Here are the most commonly used citation styles for citing plays:
- MLA (Modern Language Association): This style is widely used in the humanities, such as literature, language, and cultural studies.
- APA (American Psychological Association): This style is commonly used in social sciences, such as psychology, education, and business.
- Chicago/Turabian: This style is used in history, philosophy, and fine arts, as well as in academic journals and books.
Citing Plays in MLA Style
When citing plays in MLA style, you need to provide the title of the play, the playwright's name, and the act, scene, and line numbers (if applicable). Here's the format:
playwright's last name, playwright's first name. Title of the Play. Act. Scene. Line(s). Publisher, Year of Publication. Print.
Example:
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. 2. 2. 55-56. New American Library, 1961. Print.
For online plays, you need to include the URL and the date of access:
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. 2. 2. 55-56. New American Library, 1961. Web. 12 Dec. 2020.
Citing Plays in APA Style
When citing plays in APA style, you need to provide the title of the play, the playwright's name, and the act, scene, and line numbers (if applicable). Here's the format:
playwright's last name, playwright's first name. (Year published). Title of the Play. (Act number. Scene number. Line numbers).
Example:
Shakespeare, W. (1961). Romeo and Juliet. (2. 2. 55-56).
For online plays, you need to include the URL and the date of access:
Shakespeare, W. (1961). Romeo and Juliet. (2. 2. 55-56). Retrieved from
Citing Plays in Chicago/Turabian Style
When citing plays in Chicago/Turabian style, you need to provide the title of the play, the playwright's name, and the act, scene, and line numbers (if applicable). Here's the format:
playwright's last name, playwright's first name. Title of the Play. Act. Scene. Line(s). In The Complete Works of [Playwright's Name], edited by [Editor's Name], [Publisher], [Year of Publication], [Page numbers].
Example:
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. 2. 2. 55-56. In The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, edited by David Bevington, Oxford University Press, 1992, 123-125.
For online plays, you need to include the URL and the date of access:
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. 2. 2. 55-56. In The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, edited by David Bevington, Oxford University Press, 1992. Retrieved from
Additional Tips for Citing Plays
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when citing plays:
- Always provide the title of the play in title case, with the first word capitalized.
- Include the act, scene, and line numbers (if applicable) to provide context and clarity.
- Use the playwright's full name, but only the last name in the in-text citation.
- Provide the publisher's name, publication year, and page numbers (if applicable).
- Use the correct citation style for online plays, including the URL and date of access.
Conclusion
Citing plays is an essential part of academic writing, and it's crucial to use the correct citation style to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the playwright. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you'll be able to cite plays accurately and confidently in MLA, APA, and Chicago/Turabian styles. Remember to always check with your instructor or consult a style guide for specific requirements and guidelines.
