What is Citing Poetry in Text?
Citing poetry in text is the process of referencing the poem that you have used within the body of the text you are writing. This is important for indicating where you sourced the material and preventing plagiarism. The way in which you will cite poetry in text will depend primarily on the format that your text is in, such as MLA or APA.
Why is it Important to Reference Poetry?
Citing poetry is integral to any academic or non-academic writing. Not only does it allow readers to identify the source of the poem that is being referred to, but it also ensures that the author is credited for their work and helps to prevent plagiarism. Furthermore, when works are properly cited, it is easier for other researchers to identify other resources that could be used to support their arguments.
Different Ways to Cite Poetry in Text
When it comes to citing poetry in text, there are several different ways to do it. For example, if you are using an MLA-style format, then you would include the author’s last name, the poem’s title, and the line numbers from which the poem was cited, enclosed in parentheses. On the other hand, if you are using an APA-style format, you would include the author’s last name and the year the poem was published, enclosed in parentheses.
More Specific Rules for Citing Poetry in Text
When citing poetry in text, there are a few more specific rules that you should follow. For example, when citing a single poem, you should include the full title (including any punctuation such as quotation marks) in the parentheses. You should also include a page number (if there is one) or line number at the end of the citation, separated by a comma. In addition, when citing multiple poems, the titles of the poems should be separated by semi-colons and listed in the same order in which they are being referred to.
How to Format a Poem in Text
In addition to citing a poem in text, you should also change the formatting of the poem to properly reflect the text in your writing. This includes using the block quote format for poems that are longer than four lines, using the quotation marks for poems that are less than four lines, and using single spacing for the lines of the poem. In addition, it is important to present the poem in the same way it was written by the author, including punctuation and formatting.
Examples of Citing Poetry in Text
To properly illustrate how to cite poetry in text, here are a few examples of how it should look when done correctly:
- According to Plath (2000), “I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead; / I lift my lids and all is born again”(l. 5-6).
- As Plath (2000) states, “I dream of a place under the snow, a landscape of white, a sanctuary” (p. 32).
- The poems “My Dream” and “White Winter” both explore Plath’s (2000) views on what it means to find sanctuary (pp. 32, 46).
How to Avoid Plagiarism When Citing Poetry in Text?
When citing poetry in text, it is important to make sure that you are properly referencing the poem and not plagiarising the words of the author. One way to prevent plagiarism is to always include the author’s last name and the year the poem was published in the parentheses when you are citing the poem, even if you are not quoting from it. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the words you are using to explain the poem are your own, and not simply a paraphrase of the poem itself.
How to Use In-text Citations for Poetry?
In order to properly use in-text citations for poetry, it is important to follow a few basic steps. First, identify the work you are citing and include the author’s last name and year of publication. Second, include the line numbers that you are referring to and the page number, if applicable. Finally, format the poem correctly and make sure that all quotes are correctly attributed.
How to Make Sure the Work is Accurately Cited?
The best way to make sure that the work you are citing is accurately cited is to double check the format you are using. Different academic styles require different citation formats. It is also a good idea to consult a reliable style guide to ensure that you are using the correct format. Additionally, it is important to make sure that all quotes are accurately attributed and not plagiarising another author’s work.
How to Find Online Resources for Citing Poetry in Text?
There are many online resources available to help with citing poetry in text. The Purdue Online Writing Lab, for example, provides detailed information about the various citation formats that can be used for poetry. Additionally, the Online Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin has a detailed guide on how to properly cite poems in different formats. Finally, the MLA Style Center provides guidelines for citing poetry in MLA format.
