Introduction
Poetry is an important genre of literature, as it provides readers with means of raising awareness and understanding of various issues. It can be used to evoke emotions, encourage critical thinking, and explore many topics. When writing an essay involving poetry, it is important to accurately cite sources and give credit to the author. Thus, the following article will provide useful advice on how to reference poetry when writing an essay.
Basic Format for Referencing Poetry in an Essay
The basic format for referencing poetry in an essay is to mention the author, title, and date of publication. For example, if you are citing a poem from William Wordsworth’s collection of works, you may write “William Wordsworth (2020) The Prelude”. It is also possible to include more information such as the poem’s volume or journal in which it was published.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations are important when referencing poetry in an essay. While it is possible to cite the entire poem in one sentence, it is generally better to break it down into manageable chunks. For example, one might write “William Wordsworth (2020) wrote ‘My heart leaps up when I behold /A rainbow in the sky.’” This makes it easier for the reader to understand the source of the quote and allows them to easily locate it in the original text.
MLA or APA Formatting for Referencing
When writing an essay involving poetry, it is important to consider which style of formatting to use. While the basic elements of citing poetry are the same, whether one is using MLA or APA formatting, the order of information varies. MLA format requires information to be presented in the following order: author, title of poem, book/journal title, publisher, date. APA format requires information to be presented in the following order: author, date, title of poem, book/journal title, publisher.
Including the Poet’s Name
When referencing poetry in an essay, it is important to include the poet’s name. This could be done in one of two ways, either in-text or in an end reference list. In-text referencing can be done by including the poet’s name in brackets after the text, for example “William Wordsworth (2020).” If one does this, the poet’s name would not be included in the end reference list, but all other information should be. Alternatively, one could include the poet’s name in an end reference list and omit it in the in-text citation, for example, “The Prelude (Wordsworth, 2020).”
Evaluating Sources
When referencing poetry in an essay, it is important to ensure that one is using accurate and valid sources. One should always try to find the original poem and cite it directly, as this is the most reliable source. If the poem is not available in its original form, one should try to find a reliable translation.
How to Cite Poems from Databases
When referencing poetry from a database, the basic elements of citing poetry apply. However, it is important to include the name of the database in which you found the poem, as well as a DOI or URL. For example, if one is citing the poem “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” from the Oxford English Literary History Database, one might write “Wordsworth, W. (2020). Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey. Oxford English Literary History Database. DOI: 10.1093/oelh/40.1.845.”
How to Cite a Verse Novel
When referencing a verse novel, such as a book written in the form of poetry, the basic elements of citing poetry still apply. However, it is important to include extra information, such as the name of the publisher, the number of pages, and the edition. For example, one might write “Angelou, M. (1970). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House, pp. 7-80.”
Understanding the Line Breaks
When citing long poems, it is important to understand where the line breaks are so one can accurately cite the text. When citing a long poem written in multiple verses, one should include the line or verse number after each line. For example, if one is citing William Wordsworth’s poem “The Prelude” one might write “Wordsworth, W. (2020). The Prelude, 1.1-17.”
How to Cite Poems that Span More than One Page
When referencing poems that span more than one page, it is important to include page numbers. For example, one might write “Wordsworth, W. (2020). I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud. The Poetry of William Wordsworth, vol 2, pp. 1-15.”
How to Cite a Poem from an Anthology or Collection
When referencing a poem from an anthology or collection, such as a book of poetry or short story collection, one should include the title of the anthology or collection, volume, page numbers, and editor, if applicable. For example, one might write “Wordsworth, W. (2020). The World Is Too Much with Us. The Poetry of William Wordsworth, vol 4, pp. 1-12. Ed. Jane Smith.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to understand how to reference poetry in an essay. While the basic elements of referencing poetry remain the same, regardless of whether one is using MLA or APA formatting, one should always consider the specific source they are citing and adjust their referencing style accordingly.
