Poetry is a unique form of artistic expression that often requires specific citation methods to maintain its integrity and give credit to the original poet. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in academia for citing various sources, including poems. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of citing poems in MLA format. Whether you're a student, a scholar, or a poetry enthusiast, this article will equip you with the knowledge to quote and cite poems correctly, ensuring your work is both academically sound and respectful of the poets' creations.
Basic Poem Citation
Citing a poem in MLA format begins with understanding the basics. Poetry citation requires a different approach compared to other literary works due to its unique structure and formatting.
Author's Name
In MLA citation, start with the author's name. For poems, it's usually the poet's last name followed by their first name.
Example:
- Frost, Robert
Poem Title
The title of the poem is enclosed in quotation marks.
Example:
- "The Road Not Taken"
Anthology Title
If the poem is part of an anthology or a collection of poems, you should include the anthology's title in italics.
Example:
- New England Poets: An Anthology
Page Numbers
For print sources, include the page numbers where the poem appears. Use "pp." for multiple pages.
Example:
- pp. 12-14
Medium of Publication
Specify the medium of publication, such as "Print" or "Web."
Example:
Now that we've covered the basics, let's explore how to cite short poems in MLA format.
Short Poem Citation
Short poems, those with fewer than three lines, require slightly different formatting for in-text citations. You can choose to incorporate them within your text or place them in a blockquote.
In-text citations for short poems should be enclosed in double quotation marks. For instance, if you want to quote the line "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood" from Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken," you would write it as follows:
Frost describes a situation where "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood."
If you prefer to place it in a blockquote, format it this way:
Frost describes a situation where "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood."
Short poem citations are relatively straightforward. However, when you encounter longer poems, there are specific guidelines to follow.
Long Poem Citation
Citing long poems in MLA format can be more complex. If you're dealing with an entire book-length poem or a lengthy epic, you should format it differently from short poems. Here's how to cite long poems correctly:
Italics: Long poems should be italicized rather than enclosed in quotation marks.
Example:
- The Waste Land
Line Numbers: In your in-text citation, include the line numbers, as it's challenging to refer to page numbers for long poems.
Example:
- (Eliot, lines 20-25)
Indentation: If you choose to quote the poem within your paper, maintain a double indentation, separate from your text, to emphasize that you're quoting poetry.
Example:
Citing Poems Found Online
In our digital age, it's common to find poems online. When citing online poems in MLA format, there are specific considerations to keep in mind.
Web-Specific Considerations
URL: Include the URL of the website where you found the poem. Enclose it in angle brackets (< >).
Example:
Access Date: Include the date you accessed the poem. This is crucial because online content can change.
Example:
- Accessed 10 September 2023
Citing Poems in Anthologies
Poems often appear in anthologies, which are collections of various poems from different authors. When citing poems from an anthology, you need to adapt your MLA citation to include both the poem and the anthology it's part of.
Understanding Anthologies
Anthologies are books that collect multiple poems, often by different authors, into a single volume. To cite a poem from an anthology in MLA format, follow these guidelines.
Anthology Citations
Poet's Name: Begin with the author's name (last name, first name).
Example:
- Frost, Robert
Poem Title: Place the poem title in quotation marks.
Example:
- "The Road Not Taken"
Anthology Title: Italicize the title of the anthology.
Example:
- New England Poets: An Anthology
Editor's Name: If the anthology has an editor, include their name after the anthology title.
Example:
- Edited by John Smith
Page Numbers: Specify the page numbers where the poem is located.
Example:
- pp. 12-14
Medium of Publication: Indicate whether it's in print or online.
Example:
To cite a poem from an anthology in an essay or paper, follow this format:
Frost, Robert. "The Road Not Taken." New England Poets: An Anthology, edited by John Smith, pp. 12-14. Print.
Now, let's explore how to cite a poem found within a book.
Poem in a Book Citation
When you encounter a poem in a book, your MLA citation should reflect the specific source. Here's how to cite a poem in a book:
Author's Name: Begin with the poet's name (last name, first name).
Example:
- Frost, Robert
Poem Title: Enclose the poem title in quotation marks.
Example:
- "The Road Not Taken"
Book Title: Italicize the title of the book in which the poem is found.
Example:
- Selected Poems of Robert Frost
Editor's Name: If the book has an editor, include their name after the book title.
Example:
- Edited by Jane Doe
Page Numbers: Specify the page numbers where the poem appears in the book.
Example:
- pp. 50-52
Medium of Publication: Indicate whether it's a print or online source.
Example:
The citation for a poem in a book within your paper should look like this:
Frost, Robert. "The Road Not Taken." Selected Poems of Robert Frost, edited by Jane Doe, pp. 50-52. Print.
Let's move on to citing poems from journals.
Poem in a Journal Citation
When citing a poem from a journal, it's essential to format your citation correctly to provide your readers with all the necessary information. Here's how to do it:
Author's Name: Start with the poet's name (last name, first name).
Example:
- Dickinson, Emily
Poem Title: Place the poem title in quotation marks.
Example:
- "Hope is the thing with feathers"
Journal Title: Italicize the title of the journal.
Example:
- The American Poetry Review
Volume and Issue: Specify the journal's volume and issue numbers.
Example:
- Vol. 42, No. 3
Publication Date: Include the publication date of the journal.
Example:
- 10 July 2022
Page Numbers: Indicate the page numbers where the poem is located.
Example:
- pp. 20-22
Medium of Publication: Indicate whether it's a print or online source.
Example:
Your in-text citation for a poem in a journal should follow this format:
(Dickinson, "Hope is the thing with feathers" 20-22)
To include this in your paper, use the following format:
Dickinson, Emily. "Hope is the thing with feathers." The American Poetry Review, vol. 42, no. 3, 10 July 2022, pp. 20-22. Print.
Next, we'll explore how to quote poems in your paper effectively.
Quoting a Poem in Your Paper
When you decide to quote a poem within your paper, there are specific guidelines to follow to maintain the integrity of the poem and ensure clarity in your text.
Proper Incorporation of Poems
To incorporate a poem into your paper, consider the following tips:
Introduce the Poem: Before presenting the poem, provide context or a brief introduction to explain its relevance.
Use Quotation Marks: Place the poem text in double quotation marks.
Line Breaks: Maintain the line breaks as they appear in the original poem.
Ellipses: If you need to omit a portion of the poem, use ellipses (...) to indicate missing text.
Indentation: Indent the poem about half an inch from the left margin.
Line Numbers: Include line numbers in parentheses to indicate the specific location within the poem.
For example, if you're quoting the first stanza of Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," your in-text citation should look like this:
In his famous poem, Frost describes the dilemma of choice:
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, (1) And sorry I could not travel both (2) And be one traveler, long I stood (3) And looked down one as far as I could (4) To where it bent in the undergrowth; (5)"
This format ensures that the poem is clearly presented and properly cited within your text.
Multiple Authors and Multiple Poems
When you're dealing with multiple poems by different authors in one paper or essay, you'll need to differentiate between the poems and their authors. Here's how to do it:
Handling Poems by Different Authors
If you're discussing multiple poems by various authors, be sure to introduce each poem with the author's name. Keep in mind the guidelines for citing single poems while ensuring you properly cite each author.
For instance, if you're discussing two poems by different authors, your citation may look like this:
Frost's "The Road Not Taken" (1) and Dickinson's "Hope is the thing with feathers" (2) both explore themes of choice and hope.
Citations for Multiple Poems
When citing multiple poems within your paper, use the line number to differentiate between them. Include the author's last name, the title of the poem, and the line number in parentheses.
For example, if you're quoting both Frost and Dickinson in your paper, your citations may appear as follows:
Frost's "The Road Not Taken" (1) discusses the difficulty of making choices, while Dickinson's "Hope is the thing with feathers" (3) emphasizes the concept of hope.
Citing Poems Written by Anonymous Authors
Sometimes, you may come across poems of unknown authorship, often referred to as "anonymous" poems. In such cases, you can still cite these poems in MLA format.
How to Cite Poems of Unknown Authorship
To cite an anonymous poem, use the poem's title in place of the author's name. Follow the standard MLA format, including the poem title in quotation marks and the medium of publication.
For example, if you're citing an anonymous poem found in an anthology, your citation should look like this:
"The Beauty of Nature." Poems of the Past, edited by John Smith, pp. 30-32. Print.
Citing poems in translation introduces additional complexities, as it's essential to credit both the original poet and the translator. Let's delve into the details.
Citing Translated Poems
Translating a poem from one language to another is a work of art in itself. When citing translated poems in MLA format, you should acknowledge both the original poet and the translator.
Citing Poems in Translation
Here's how to cite a translated poem:
Original Poet's Name: Begin with the name of the original poet.
Example:
- Rilke, Rainer Maria
Poem Title: Enclose the title of the original poem in quotation marks.
Example:
- "Herbsttag"
Translator's Name: Include the name of the translator.
Example:
- Translated by Jane Doe
Poem Title in Translation: Italicize the title of the poem in the translated language.
Example:
- Autumn Day
Book Title: If the translated poem is part of a book or anthology, specify the book's title in italics.
Example:
- German Poems: A Collection
Publication Date: Include the publication date of the translated poem.
Example:
- 5 June 2019
Page Numbers: Specify the page numbers where the translated poem is located.
Example:
- pp. 8-10
Medium of Publication: Indicate whether it's a print or online source.
Example:
Your in-text citation for a translated poem should follow this format:
(Rilke, "Herbsttag" 8-10)
To include this in your paper, use the following format:
Rilke, Rainer Maria. "Herbsttag." German Poems: A Collection, translated by Jane Doe, 5 June 2019, pp. 8-10. Print.
Citing Verses and Line Numbers
Poetry often includes line breaks and specific verse numbers that are crucial for analysis and citation. MLA provides guidelines for citing these verses and line numbers.
When to Include Verse and Line Numbers
In many cases, especially when analyzing poetry, it's essential to include verse and line numbers in your citation. These numbers help your readers locate the exact lines you're referencing. You should include verse and line numbers when:
- You're analyzing specific lines within a poem.
- The poem is long, and page numbers aren't practical.
- The poem uses non-standard numbering, such as using sections instead of pages.
For instance, if you're analyzing a section of T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," your citation may look like this:
(Eliot, Section II, lines 60-65)
Proper notation is essential when incorporating these details into your paper.
Citing Poems with Line Breaks
Some poems are known for their unique formatting, which includes line breaks that create visual patterns. When citing such poems, maintain their line breaks to preserve their artistic integrity.
Special Formatting for Line Breaks
To cite poems with distinctive line breaks, follow these steps:
Indentation: Maintain the line breaks and formatting as they appear in the original poem.
Line Numbers: Include line numbers to make it easier for your readers to locate specific lines.
For example, if you're quoting E.E. Cummings' poem "Buffalo Bill's," your citation should reflect the line breaks:
Buffalo Bill's defunct who used to ride a water smooth-silver stallion and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Including the line numbers helps your readers understand the structure and flow of the poem.
Incorporating Poetry into Your Paper
Incorporating poetry into your paper or essay can enhance your analysis and provide deeper insights. However, it's essential to do this seamlessly to maintain the flow of your writing. Here are some tips:
Relevance: Ensure the quoted lines are directly relevant to your analysis or argument. Don't insert poetry for the sake of it.
Introduction: Provide a brief introduction or context before presenting the poem. Explain its significance to your paper.
Analysis: After quoting the lines, analyze them within the context of your paper. Explain how they support your argument or analysis.
Punctuation: Punctuate the poem correctly within your text. If a line ends with punctuation, include it within the quotation marks.
Transitions: Use transitions to smoothly connect the quoted lines to your own text.
Incorporating poetry effectively can elevate your writing and add depth to your analysis. Always consider the poem's relevance to your paper's central theme.
Tips for Proper MLA Citation
While we've covered the fundamentals of MLA citation for poems, it's essential to be aware of common mistakes and practice good proofreading. Here are some tips to ensure your citations are accurate and complete:
Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your paper, including spacing, punctuation, and italics.
Proofread: Double-check your citations for accuracy, including author names, titles, and publication details.
Use Citation Tools: Consider using citation management tools like Zotero, EndNote, or the citation feature in word processing software.
Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest changes and updates in the MLA citation style, as it may evolve over time.
Ask for Feedback: Have a peer or professor review your paper to catch any citation errors.
Proper citation enhances the credibility of your work and ensures you give credit to the original authors. Take the time to craft accurate and well-formatted citations.
MLA Poem Citation Examples
To clarify the concepts discussed, let's look at some real-life examples of MLA citation for poems.
Short Poem Citation Example:
Frost, Robert. "The Road Not Taken." New England Poets: An Anthology, edited by John Smith, pp. 12-14. Print.
Long Poem Citation Example:
Eliot, T.S. The Waste Land. Line 20-25.
Citing Poems Found Online Example:
Dickinson, Emily. "Hope is the thing with feathers." The American Poetry Review, vol. 42, no. 3, 10 July 2022, pp. 20-22. <https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43171/the-waste-land>. Accessed 10 September 2023.
Citing Contemporary Poetry
As you navigate the world of poetry, you may encounter contemporary poems that exist primarily in digital spaces. Here's how to adapt MLA citation for modern poems:
URL: Include the URL of the website where the poem is found.
Access Date: Specify the date you accessed the poem, as online content can change.
Publication Date: Include the publication date of the online poem, if available.
Medium of Publication: Indicate whether it's a web source.
Citing contemporary poems in the digital age is essential, especially when dealing with online publications.
MLA 9th Edition Updates
The Modern Language Association updates its citation style periodically to adapt to the changing landscape of academic writing and publishing. In the 9th edition, there are notable changes to the citation rules. It's crucial to stay up-to-date with these changes for accurate and consistent citation.
Some of the key updates in the 9th edition include:
- New guidelines for inclusive language and terminology.
- Emphasis on the use of URLs for web sources.
- Updated guidelines for citing digital and multimedia sources.
- Changes in how to cite sources with multiple authors.
Staying informed about these updates will help you maintain the accuracy of your citations according to the latest MLA standards.
Conclusion
Citing poems in MLA format requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines to maintain the integrity of the original work and give proper credit to the poets. Whether you're a student working on an academic paper or a poetry enthusiast sharing your insights, understanding how to cite poems correctly is essential. We've covered the basics of MLA poem citation, from the author's name to citing online sources, and provided examples to guide you in your writing. By following these guidelines, you'll ensure your work is academically sound, and you'll pay homage to the beauty of poetic expression through proper citation.