How To Cite Poetry Mla Works Cited

Understanding the MLA Way of Citing Poetry

Citing poems in an MLA works cited entry doesn’t have to be confusing or time-consuming. There are a few basic guidelines and steps to ensure that your references are properly listed and formatted. Whether you’re looking to cite a single poem, an entire anthology, or various online sources of poetry, the MLA way is the way to go. This article provides an overview of the MLA style of citation for poetry.

MLA Formatting Guidelines

The MLA formatting guidelines for poetry citations are relatively straightforward compared to other styles of citation. There are seven pieces of information that you’ll need to include:

  • The poet’s last name;
  • The poet’s first name;
  • The title(s) of the poem(s);
  • The container information;
  • The publication format;
  • The publication date; and
  • The URL if you’ve cited online source of poetry.

For example, if you’re looking to cite “The Emplty Room” from Poetry Magazine, the entry would look something like this:
Last Name, First Name. “The Empty Room.” Poetry Magazine, vol. 45, no. 6, 18 May 2018, pp. 80-82.
It’s that simple.

Citing a Single Poem

When it comes to citing a single poem in an MLA works cited entry, the process is the same—the only difference is the added element of the page numbers where the poem was found. If you’re citing a poem from a book, you’ll need to include the page number in your entry. For example:
Last Name, First Name. “The Empty Room.” Poems, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018, pp. 20-22.

Citing an Anthology or Collection

When it comes to citing an entire anthology or collection of poetry, the MLA way can seem a bit trickier. The best way to ensure that you have all the pertinent information is to consult the book’s title page. Look for the name of the editor, the title of the anthology, and the publication information.
You’ll also need to include the page numbers for the poem in your citation. For example:
Last Name, First Name. “The Empty Room.” Poems of the 21st Century, edited by Jane Doe, The University of Central Florida Press, 2018, pp. 45-47.

Citing Online Sources of Poetry

Citing poems from online sources is a bit different than citing published works. When citing an online poem, you’ll need to include the poet’s name, the title of the poem, the website title, the date it was published, the URL, and the date you accessed the poem. For example:
Last Name, First Name. “The Empty Room.” PoetryEzine.com, 18 May 2018, https://www.poetryezine.com/the-empty-room/. Accessed 21 June 2018.

Using the MLA Style Manual

If you’re still unsure how to format your citations or want to double-check the accuracy of your entries, the MLA Style Manual is your best bet. It contains a wealth of information on the latest citation styles and formatting guidelines.
It also includes detailed guidance on citing a variety of sources of poetry, from traditional book-length collections to individual poems found in magazines and newspapers. Best of all, the manual takes the guesswork out of citation, providing clear and concise examples that make the process much easier.

Checking Your Citations

Once you’ve created your works cited entries, it’s important to check them for accuracy. Make sure that all the information is accurate and that you’ve included all the pertinent elements. Keep in mind that any mismatches or errors could result in a deducted grade or worse.
When in doubt, the best option is to double-check your entries with a trusted source. The MLA Handbook, the official guidebook of the MLA, can provide invaluable help when it comes to checking your citations.

Knowing the MLA Rules for Citing Poetry

Citing poetry in the MLA style of citation can seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you’re familiar with the guidelines, the process is relatively easy. There are seven basic elements that need to be included: the poet’s name, the title of the poem, the container information, the publication format, the publication date, and the URL if you’ve cited an online source of poetry. Additionally, understanding the MLA Style Manual and double-checking your entries can help to ensure accuracy. With these tips in mind, citing poetry in MLA works cited entries can be an easy and enjoyable task.

Citing Poems in Journals

When citing a poem published in a journal or magazine, readers need to provide the same information as when citing any other source. The most important elements are the name of the poet, the title of the poem, the publication information, and the digital object identifier, if available. For example:
Last Name, First Name. “The Empty Room.” Poetry Magazine, vol. 45, no. 6, 18 May 2018, pp. 80-82, doi:10.1037/plm0000226.

Citing Poetry in Collection Books

In order to properly list a poem from a collection book in your MLA works cited entry, readers need to include the poet’s name, the poem’s title, the editor’s name, the publication information, and the page numbers of the poem. For example:
Last Name, First Name. “The Empty Room.” Poems of the 21st Century, edited by Jane Doe, The University of Central Florida Press, 2018, pp. 45-47.

Citing Poems with Multiple Authors

When citing a poem written by multiple authors, it’s important to include all the names in the citation. The last name and first name of each poet need to be listed, followed by an ampersand. Additionally, the citation should include the title of the poem, the publication information, and the page numbers, if applicable. For example:
Last Name1, First Name1, and Last Name2, First Name2. “The Empty Room.” Poetry Magazine, vol. 45, no. 6, 18 May 2018, pp. 80-82.

Citing Translated Poetry 

When citing a translated poem, readers need to include the name of the poet, the title of the poem, the language of the original poem, the name of the translator, and the publication information. For example:
Last Name, First Name. “The Empty Room.” German, translated by Jane Doe, Poetry Magazine, vol. 45, no. 6, 18 May 2018, pp. 80-82.

Conclusion

Citing poetry in an MLA works cited entry can seem daunting, but as long as you have all the necessary information, the process is relatively straightforward. Whether you’re looking to cite a single poem, an anthology, or an online poem, the MLA guidebook is there to help. Make sure to format your entries correctly, double-check for accuracy, and never hesitate to consult the Style Manual when in doubt. With these tips, citing poetry in MLA works cited entries no longer has to be a struggle.

Minnie Walters is a passionate writer and lover of poetry. She has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work of famous poets such as William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and many more. She hopes you will also fall in love with poetry!

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