How do I cite a poem that is not part of a collection?

If a poem is published online or individually, cite it with the author's name, poem title, website/source name, and URL. Include an access date.

Should I use line numbers or page numbers for poems?

Line numbers are preferred for citing poems, as they are standard for poetry referencing. Use page numbers only if line numbers are unavailable.

What if the poem has multiple authors or editors?

Follow the specific style guide (MLA, APA, Chicago) for listing multiple authors or editors. For MLA, list editors with their names preceded by "edited by."

How do I cite a stanza in my essay?

You can mention the stanza number in your text, like "(Wordsworth, stanza 3)," or in your parenthetical citation, depending on the style guide and your specific need.

How to Cite a Poem: A Simple Guide

Citing a poem might seem straightforward, but the specific details can trip you up. Whether you're quoting a few lines or discussing a whole piece, getting your citations right is crucial for academic integrity and for helping your readers find the exact source you used. This guide breaks down how to cite poems in common styles, focusing on practicality.

Understanding Poem Citation Basics

The core components of citing a poem are similar to citing any other source: author, title, and publication information. However, poems have unique structural elements like lines and stanzas that need to be referenced.

Key Information You'll Need

Author's Full Name: The poet's name.
Title of the Poem: Enclosed in quotation marks.
Title of the Collection/Anthology: If the poem is part of a larger work, italicize the collection's title.
Publication Information: Publisher, year of publication, and page numbers.
Line Numbers: Essential for referencing specific lines within a poem.

Citing Poems In-Text

In-text citations link your direct quotes or paraphrases to your bibliography. For poems, you'll typically include the author's last name and the line numbers.

MLA Style (Modern Language Association)

MLA is common in the humanities, including literature and language studies.

For a few lines (up to three): Integrate the quote into your sentence and follow it with the author's last name and line number(s) in parentheses. If you mention the author's name in your sentence, you only need the line number.

* Example: Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” reflects on choices, stating, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by” (Frost 13-14).

For longer passages (four lines or more): Use a block quote format. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin and double-space it. Do not use quotation marks. Place the parenthetical citation after the final punctuation.

* Example:

The speaker in “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” struggles with indecision and social anxiety:

> I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; > I know the voices dying with a dying fall > Beneath the music from a farther room. > So how should I presume? (Eliot 51-53)

Citing Stanzas: If you need to refer to a specific stanza, you can do so in your text or within the parenthetical citation.

* Example: The poem's first stanza sets a contemplative tone (Wordsworth, stanza 1).

APA Style (American Psychological Association)

APA is widely used in social sciences. It generally uses parenthetical citations with author, year, and page number. For poems, line numbers are preferred over page numbers if available.

For quotes: Include the author's last name, the year of publication, and the line number(s).

* Example: The speaker questions the nature of reality, asking, "Do I dare disturb the universe?" (Eliot, 1915, l. 46).

If line numbers aren't available: Use the page number.

* Example: The poem begins with a powerful image of isolation (Smith, 2020, p. 5).

Chicago Style (The Chicago Manual of Style)

Chicago offers two systems: Notes and Bibliography, and Author-Date. For citing poetry, the Notes and Bibliography system is more common.

Notes: Your first note for a quote will include the author, title of the poem, title of the collection, publication details, and line number. Subsequent notes can be shortened.

Example (First Note): T.S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” in The Waste Land and Other Poems (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1967), 13. Example (Subsequent Note): Eliot, “Prufrock,” 13.

In-Text (Author-Date): Similar to APA, but often uses line numbers.

* Example: The speaker admits, "I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker" (Eliot 1967, 15).

Creating a Bibliography or Works Cited Page

This is the full list of sources you consulted. The format depends on the citation style.

MLA Works Cited

For a poem from a book:

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Poem." Title of Book, edited by Editor's Name(s), Publisher, Year of Publication, pp. Page Range. Example: Eliot, T.S. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." The Waste Land and Other Poems, edited by T.S. Eliot, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1967, pp. 11-17.

For a poem from an online source:

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Poem." Title of Website/Database, Publisher (if different from website), Date of Publication (if available), URL. Accessed Day Month Year. Example: Frost, Robert. "The Road Not Taken." Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023.

APA References

For a poem from a book:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem. In Title of collection (pp. Page range). Publisher. Example: Eliot, T.S. (1967). The love song of J. Alfred Prufrock. In The waste land and other poems (pp. 11-17). Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

For a poem from an online source:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of poem. Title of Website. URL Example: Frost, R. (n.d.). The road not taken. Poetry Foundation. Retrieved from www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken

Chicago Bibliography

For a poem from a book:

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Poem." In Title of Book, edited by Editor's Name(s), Page Range. City: Publisher, Year. Example: Eliot, T.S. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." In The Waste Land and Other Poems, edited by T.S. Eliot, 11-17. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1967.

For a poem from an online source:

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Poem." Title of Website. Accessed Month Day, Year. URL. Example: Frost, Robert. "The Road Not Taken." Poetry Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Confusing Line Numbers and Page Numbers: Always prioritize line numbers for poems. Page numbers are secondary.
Incorrectly Punctuating Titles: Poem titles are in quotation marks; collection titles are italicized.
Missing Publication Information: Double-check that you have the author, poem title, collection title, publisher, and year.
Not Verifying Line Breaks: When quoting, ensure you replicate the poem's original line breaks accurately, especially in MLA style.

Getting poem citations right is a matter of attention to detail. Referencing specific lines, using the correct punctuation, and formatting your bibliography accurately all contribute to a well-supported and credible piece of writing. If you're ever unsure about specific requirements or need help ensuring your citations are perfect, services like EssayGazebo.com can provide expert assistance.

When to Cite

You must cite a poem whenever you:

Use direct quotes, even short phrases.
Paraphrase or summarize the poem's ideas.
Reference specific literary devices or themes unique to the poem.
Discuss the author's intent or a specific interpretation of the poem.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently cite poems in your academic work, ensuring accuracy and giving credit where it's due.

How to Cite a Poem