How to Cite a Poem: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the Basics of Poem Citation
When it comes to citing poems, it is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or the citation style you are using. However, there are some basic elements that are typically included in poem citations regardless of the style.
The first piece of information you should include is the poet’s name. If the poet is well-known, you can simply include their last name. If not, you may need to include their full name. Next, you will need to include the title of the poem in quotation marks. If the poem is part of a larger collection or anthology, you should include the title of the collection or anthology in italics.
The next piece of information you need to include is the name of the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the publication date, and the page numbers where the poem can be found. Depending on the citation style you are using, you may also need to include additional information such as the edition number or the translator’s name (if the poem was originally written in a different language).
Overall, citing a poem involves paying attention to specific details and formatting. By following the guidelines provided by your instructor or the citation style you are using, you can ensure that your citation is accurate and complete.
MLA and APA Citation Styles for Poems
The two most commonly used citation styles for academic writing are the Modern Language Association (MLA) style and the American Psychological Association (APA) style. Both styles have specific guidelines for citing poems.
In MLA style, you should list the poet’s last name followed by their first name, the title of the poem in quotation marks, the title of the anthology or collection in italics, the editor’s name (if applicable), the publisher, the publication date, and the page numbers where the poem can be found. Here is an example citation in MLA style:
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Nina Baym, W. W. Norton & Company, 2007, pp. 764-65.
In APA style, you should list the poet’s last name followed by their first initial, the publication date of the poem in parentheses, the title of the poem in sentence case (only capitalizing the first word and any proper nouns), the title of the anthology or collection in italics, the editor’s name (if applicable), the publisher, and the page numbers where the poem can be found. Here is an example citation in APA style:
Frost, R. (1916). The road not taken. In N. Baym (Ed.), The Norton anthology of American literature (pp. 764-65). W. W. Norton & Company.
By following the guidelines for each style, you can ensure that your poem citation is accurate and consistent with academic standards.
How to Cite Poems in Text and Works Cited Pages
When citing a poem in your writing, you have two options: including the citation in the text itself or including it in the Works Cited or References page at the end of your document.
In-text citations typically include the poet’s name and the page number(s) where the poem can be found. For example, (Frost 3) would indicate that the quote or reference came from page 3 of a poem written by Robert Frost. If you mention the poet’s name in the sentence leading up to the quote, you only need to include the page number(s) in parentheses. For example, Frost argues that “the woods are lovely, dark and deep” (13).
In the Works Cited or References page, the citation should follow the guidelines for the specific citation style you are using (such as MLA or APA, as discussed in the previous subtitle). The citation should be listed alphabetically by the poet’s last name.
Remember, it’s important to include citations for all sources you use in your writing, including poems. This helps to ensure that you are giving credit to the original author and avoiding plagiarism.
Tips for Properly Citing Poems from Anthologies or Collections
When citing a poem that is part of a larger collection or anthology, there are a few additional elements to consider in your citation. Here are some tips for properly citing poems from anthologies or collections:
Include the title of the anthology or collection in italics. This should be listed before the poem title.
If the anthology or collection has an editor, include their name after the title of the anthology or collection. Their name should be listed with the first name followed by the last name.
If the poem was originally published in a different collection or anthology, include that information in your citation as well. This can be included after the poem title.
If you are citing multiple poems from the same collection or anthology, you only need to list the anthology or collection information once. You can then include the page numbers for each individual poem in your in-text citation.
If you are citing an online version of the anthology or collection, include the URL or DOI after the publication information.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your citation for a poem from an anthology or collection is complete and accurate.
Avoiding Common Mistakes in Poem Citation
Citing a poem can be tricky, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when citing poems:
Forgetting to include the poet’s name or the poem title. Both of these pieces of information are crucial to a proper citation.
Confusing the title of the poem with the title of the collection or anthology. Remember to put the poem title in quotation marks and the collection or anthology title in italics.
Including too much or too little information. Make sure you follow the guidelines for your specific citation style and include all necessary information without including extraneous details.
Mixing up citation styles. If your instructor has specified a specific citation style, make sure you stick to that style consistently throughout your document.
Failing to properly format in-text citations or the Works Cited or References page. Double-check your formatting to make sure it follows the guidelines for your citation style.
By being aware of these common mistakes and taking the time to properly format your citations, you can ensure that your writing is professional, accurate, and properly cited.
