Citing poetry correctly is crucial for academic writing. Whether you’re writing an essay, research paper, or presentation, proper citation gives credit to the original author and allows readers to find the source material. In this blog, we will walk through how to cite a poem using the MLA format, specifically focusing on sources like The Flea by John Donne and AllPoetry. We will also provide tips for MLA in-text citations and how to include poems in your works cited page.
Understanding MLA Citation for Poems
The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is widely used for citing sources in humanities and liberal arts. When citing a poem in MLA style, the format will vary depending on where the poem was published, such as a printed book, an online source, or an anthology.
MLA Citation Format for Poems
The general format for citing a poem in MLA involves the following elements:
- Author’s name: Last name, First name.
- Title of the poem: In quotation marks.
- Title of the container: The book, website, or anthology that contains the poem (italicized).
- Other contributors: Editors, translators, etc.
- Version: If applicable (e.g., edition, volume).
- Publisher: The publisher of the source.
- Publication date: When the poem was published.
- Location: Page number or URL if the poem is online.
Example: Citing a Poem from a Book
If you are citing a poem from a book, the format would look like this:
Format: Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Book, edited by Editor’s Name, Publisher, Year, Page number.
Example: Donne, John. “The Flea.” The Poetry of John Donne, edited by A. L. O. E., Random House, 1990, p. 45.
Example: Citing a Poem from a Website (AllPoetry)
When citing a poem from an online source like AllPoetry, you need to include the title of the poem, the website name, the publisher (if available), the publication date, and the URL.
Format: Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of Poem.” Website Name, Publisher (if available), Publication Date, URL.
Example: Donne, John. “The Flea.” AllPoetry, AllPoetry.com, 2005, www.allpoetry.com/The_Flea.
How to Cite a Poem from AllPoetry MLA
When citing poems from websites like AllPoetry, ensure you follow this format for online sources:
Example: Donne, John. “The Flea.” AllPoetry, AllPoetry.com, www.allpoetry.com/The_Flea.
If no publication date is available, you can omit it and simply cite the URL. This way, your citation remains complete and accurate.
MLA In-Text Citation for Poems
When referencing poetry in the body of your text, MLA requires you to include an in-text citation that provides the author’s last name and the line numbers (if applicable). For a poem like The Flea by John Donne, the in-text citation should indicate the specific lines you are referring to.
How to Cite Poetry Lines
When citing specific lines of poetry, you should use line numbers instead of page numbers. This is especially important for long poems or when citing poems from online sources that may not have pages.
Format: (Author’s Last name line number(s)).
Example: Donne (lines 1-4) argues that love is a fleeting, yet powerful force.
If the poem is short and divided into stanzas, indicate the line numbers within the stanza:
Example: (Donne, lines 3-4).
How to Cite a Poem in MLA Works Cited
When including a poem in your MLA Works Cited page, ensure that the format adheres to the structure for citing the poem in a collection or online resource. Here’s an example for citing both print and online sources.
How to MLA Cite Poems from a Book
Example: Donne, John. “The Flea.” The Poetry of John Donne, edited by A. L. O. E., Random House, 1990, p. 45.
How to MLA Cite Poems from AllPoetry
For poems from AllPoetry, include the URL along with the poet’s name, the poem title, and the website name.
Example: Donne, John. “The Flea.” AllPoetry, AllPoetry.com, 2005,.
How to MLA Cite Poems from Other Anthologies
If you are citing poems from a poetry anthology, the citation will also include the editor and publisher information.
Example: Donne, John. “The Flea.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 9th ed., edited by M.H. Abrams, W.W. Norton & Co., 2012, pp. 450-452.
Conclusion: Mastering How to Cite a Poem Effectively
Properly citing poetry, whether from a book, website, or anthology, is essential to uphold academic integrity. By following MLA guidelines, you ensure that your sources are credited correctly and that readers can easily locate your references. Whether you are working with The Flea by John Donne, poems from AllPoetry, or other poetic works, understanding how to cite poetry is an important skill for academic writing.
Remember the steps outlined above to create accurate MLA citations for both print and online poems, ensuring your work remains professional and credible.
For further help with your citations, feel free to explore our other resources or reach out to Assignment Station for assistance with your academic needs.
