How to Cite a Poem: A Complete Guide for Students and Researchers
Citing poems correctly is crucial for academic integrity and gives credit to the authors whose work you're using. This guide covers different citation styles, providing clear examples to help you avoid plagiarism and improve your research papers. We'll cover MLA, APA, and Chicago styles, the most commonly used in academic writing.
Understanding Citation Basics
Before diving into specific styles, let's cover the fundamental elements needed for any poem citation:
- Author's Last Name, First Name. Always list the author's name as it appears on the published work.
- "Title of Poem." Use quotation marks around the poem's title.
- Title of Collection (if applicable). Italicize the collection's title if the poem is from a book or anthology.
- Publisher, Publication Date. This is essential for providing context to your source.
- Access Information (for online sources). This might include a URL or database information.
MLA Style for Citing Poems
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in humanities disciplines. Here's how to cite poems in MLA:
Citing a Poem in a Book:
Example:
Frost, Robert. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." The Poetry of Robert Frost. Henry Holt and Company, 1969, pp. 10-12.
Citing a Poem from an Anthology:
Example:
Dickinson, Emily. "Because I could not stop for Death—." The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. Edited by Thomas H. Johnson, Little, Brown and Company, 1960, pp. 132-133.
Citing a Poem from an Online Database:
Example:
Hughes, Langston. "I, Too, Sing America." Academy of American Poets, www.poets.org/poem/i-too-sing-america.
APA Style for Citing Poems
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is commonly used in social sciences. Here’s how to cite poems in APA style:
Citing a Poem in a Book:
Example:
Frost, R. (1969). Stopping by woods on a snowy evening. In The poetry of Robert Frost (pp. 10-12). Henry Holt and Company.
Citing a Poem from an Anthology:
Example:
Dickinson, E. (1960). Because I could not stop for Death—. In T. H. Johnson (Ed.), The complete poems of Emily Dickinson (pp. 132-133). Little, Brown and Company.
Citing a Poem from a Website:
Example:
Hughes, L. (n.d.). I, too, sing America. Academy of American Poets. Retrieved from www.poets.org/poem/i-too-sing-america
Chicago Style for Citing Poems
The Chicago Manual of Style offers two citation systems: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. Here, we focus on the Notes and Bibliography style, commonly used in history and literature.
Citing a Poem in a Book (Notes and Bibliography Style):
Footnote/Endnote:
- Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," in The Poetry of Robert Frost (New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1969), 10-12.
Bibliography:
Frost, Robert. The Poetry of Robert Frost. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1969.
Important Considerations for Chicago Style:
- For subsequent citations of the same work, use a shortened version of the citation in your footnotes/endnotes (e.g., Frost, Poetry, 15-17).
- Always maintain consistency throughout your paper.
Tips for Accurate and Effective Poem Citations
- Double-check your information: Always verify the accuracy of author names, titles, and publication details.
- Use a citation management tool: Tools like Zotero or Mendeley can help you organize and format your citations efficiently.
- Consult your style guide: Different disciplines and publications may have variations within these styles. Refer to your institution's guidelines or the specific requirements of your assignment.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your poem citations are accurate, consistent, and contribute to the credibility of your academic work. Remember to always prioritize academic integrity and give proper credit to the original authors.
