MLA Poetry Citation: A Quick Guide to Citing Poems Like a Pro (2024)

Citing poetry in MLA format doesn’t have to feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. Whether you’re wrestling with line breaks, page numbers, or those pesky quotation marks, there’s a method to the madness that’ll make your citations sing.

From Shakespeare’s sonnets to contemporary verse, proper citation ensures academic integrity and gives credit where it’s due. Modern Language Association (MLA) style has specific guidelines for poetry citations that vary depending on whether you’re referencing a single poem, an anthology, or an online source. Students and scholars who master these rules don’t just avoid plagiarism – they demonstrate their expertise in academic writing.

Understanding MLA Citation Format for Poetry

MLA citation format for poetry follows specific guidelines that vary based on the source type and publication format. The Modern Language Association’s structured approach ensures consistent documentation of poetic works in academic writing.

Basic Citation Elements for Poems

A standard MLA poetry citation includes the poet’s name, poem title, book title, publisher, publication year and page numbers. The poem title appears in quotation marks while the book title is italicized. Here’s the basic format:

• Poet’s last name, first name. “Poem Title.” Book Title, Publisher, Year, Page number(s).
• In-text citations contain the author’s last name and line numbers (e.g., Smith lines 34-37)
• Line numbers use the word “line” or “lines” in the first reference only
• Multiple line citations use forward slashes (/) to indicate line breaks

Different Types of Poetry Publications

Poetry citations vary based on their publication format:

Single Poem in a Collection

• Author name + poem title + anthology title + editor name + publication details

Online Poetry

• Author name + poem title + website name + URL + access date
• Exclude URLs for academic databases like JSTOR

• Author name + poem title + journal name + volume details + page numbers

• Author name + book title + publisher + publication year

In-Text Citations for Poetry

In-text citations for poetry in MLA format differ from standard prose citations by incorporating line numbers instead of page numbers. The citation style varies depending on the number of lines quoted from the poem.

Quoting Single Lines

Single line poetry quotations integrate directly into the text with quotation marks. An MLA in-text citation includes the author’s last name followed by the line number in parentheses. A slash with spaces on each side ( / ) separates multiple lines quoted within the same sentence. For example: “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May” (Shakespeare 3). Line numbers appear after the quoted text, with no abbreviation for “line” or “lines” needed.

Formatting Multiple Line Quotes

Multiple line quotations of 3 lines or more form a block quote indented 1 inch from the left margin. Block quotes eliminate quotation marks while maintaining the poem’s original line breaks spacing. Each line starts exactly as it appears in the source poem. The parenthetical citation follows the final line of the quote after the punctuation mark. For example:

In Leaves of Grass appears:

I celebrate myself, and sing myself,

And what I assume you shall assume,

Creating Works Cited Entries

MLA Works Cited entries for poetry follow specific formats based on the source type. The citation format varies depending on whether the poem appears in a print collection, anthology or digital platform.

Citations for Print Poetry Collections

Print poetry citations include the poet’s name, poem title in quotation marks, book title in italics, publisher information and page numbers. Here’s the standard format:

Poet's Last Name, First Name. "Poem Title." Book Title, edited by Editor's Name, Publisher, Year, pp. Page Numbers.

For an anthology or collection:

• List the specific poem first, followed by the collection details
• Include editor names if applicable
• Add volume numbers for multi-volume works
• Specify edition information for later editions
• End with the page range where the poem appears

Citations for Online Poetry Sources

Digital poetry citations require additional elements to identify the online location:

Poet's Last Name, First Name. "Poem Title." Website Name, Publisher/Sponsor, Date of Publication, URL.

• Include the website name in italics
• Add the site publisher or sponsoring organization
• Specify the publication or posting date
• Provide the complete URL without https://
• Remove dates of access unless specifically required
• Note if the poem lacks page numbers or line numbers
• Include digital object identifiers (DOI) when available

Special Considerations for Poetry Citations

Poetry citations require specific attention to details that differ from standard prose citations, particularly when dealing with translated works or anonymous poems.

Citing Translated Poetry

MLA format for translated poetry includes both the original poet’s name and the translator’s contribution. The citation starts with the original poet’s name followed by the translator’s name preceded by “Translated by.” In the Works Cited entry, include:

• Original poet’s name, followed by translator’s name
• Original publication date in brackets [1889]
• Language designation after the poem title
• Publishing information of the translated version

Example citation format:

Handling Anonymous Poems

Anonymous poetry citations omit the author’s name and begin with the poem’s title. For medieval works or texts with unknown authors, use these guidelines:

• Start the citation with the poem title
• Include the approximate date if known
• Add manuscript information for historical texts
• List the editor or translator if available

Common Poetry Citation Mistakes to Avoid

Missing line numbers tops the list of frequent MLA poetry citation errors. Citation accuracy depends on including specific line numbers rather than page numbers when referencing poetry.

Incorrect formatting of titles creates confusion in poetry citations. Short poem titles require quotation marks, while book-length poems or collections need italics.

Improper block quote formatting diminishes citation quality. Poetry quotations longer than three lines demand:

• One-inch margin indent for the entire quote
• Preservation of original line breaks
• No quotation marks around the block quote
• Parenthetical citation after the final punctuation

Mixing citation styles leads to inconsistency. Examples of improper combinations include:

• Using APA author-date format with MLA line numbers
• Combining Chicago footnotes with MLA in-text citations
• Mixing MLA 8th edition with MLA 9th edition guidelines

Incorrect handling of multiple poets causes attribution errors. When citing multiple poets:

• List each poet’s last name in the citation
• Separate names with semicolons
• Include relevant line numbers for each poet’s contribution

• Poet’s full name
• Poem title in quotation marks
• Book title in italics
• Publisher details
• Publication year
• Page numbers or line numbers

Conclusion

Proper MLA poetry citation is a crucial skill that demonstrates academic integrity and respect for poetic works. By following these structured guidelines writers can confidently cite any type of poetry from traditional print collections to modern online sources.

The key is understanding the specific requirements for different citation scenarios and paying attention to details like line numbers formatting and translator credits. With practice these citation rules become second nature allowing writers to focus on their analysis while giving poets the recognition they deserve.

Remember that accurate citation isn’t just about following rules – it’s about participating in the academic conversation and preserving the rich tradition of poetic works for future generations.