how to quote a poem line in an essay

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MLA Formatting Quotations

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When you directly quote the works of others in your paper, you will format quotations differently depending on their length. Below are some basic guidelines for incorporating quotations into your paper. Please note that all pages in MLA should be double-spaced .

Short quotations

To indicate short quotations (four typed lines or fewer of prose or three lines of verse) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. Provide the author and specific page number (in the case of verse, provide line numbers) in the in-text citation, and include a complete reference on the Works Cited page. Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation.

Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage, but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

For example, when quoting short passages of prose, use the following examples:

When using short (fewer than three lines of verse) quotations from poetry, mark breaks in verse with a slash, ( / ), at the end of each line of verse (a space should precede and follow the slash). If a stanza break occurs during the quotation, use a double slash ( // ).

Long quotations

For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2   inch  from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come  after the closing punctuation mark . When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)

For example, when citing more than four lines of prose, use the following examples :

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

When citing long sections of poetry (four lines of verse or more), keep formatting as close to the original as possible.

In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father:

The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We Romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. (qtd. in Shrodes, Finestone, Shugrue 202)

When citing two or more paragraphs, use block quotation format, even if the passage from the paragraphs is less than four lines. If you cite more than one paragraph, the first line of the second paragraph should be indented an extra 1/4 inch to denote a new paragraph:

In "American Origins of the Writing-across-the-Curriculum Movement," David Russell argues,

Writing has been an issue in American secondary and higher education since papers and examinations came into wide use in the 1870s, eventually driving out formal recitation and oral examination. . . .

From its birth in the late nineteenth century, progressive education has wrestled with the conflict within industrial society between pressure to increase specialization of knowledge and of professional work (upholding disciplinary standards) and pressure to integrate more fully an ever-widening number of citizens into intellectually meaningful activity within mass society (promoting social equity). . . . (3)

Adding or omitting words in quotations

If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are not part of the original text:

If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipses, which are three periods ( . . . ) preceded and followed by a space. For example:

Please note that brackets are not needed around ellipses unless they would add clarity.

When omitting words from poetry quotations, use a standard three-period ellipses; however, when omitting one or more full lines of poetry, space several periods to about the length of a complete line in the poem:

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• Writing Tips

How to Quote Poetry in MLA Referencing

4-minute read

• 10th December 2019

Writing about Robert Frost? Scribbling about Shakespeare? Then make sure you know how to quote poetry . This is not quite the same as quoting prose, but the rules are easy to understand once you know them. Here, for example, is how to quote and reference a poem in MLA referencing .

How to Quote Poetry in the Text

The format for quoting poetry in MLA depends on how much you are quoting. If it is three lines or fewer, you can quote it in line with the rest of your text. However, you will need to include a forward slash to indicate a line break (or a double slash for a stanza break). For example:

In “For E.J.P.,” he writes “I once believed a single line / in a Chinese poem could change / forever how blossoms fell” (Cohen 1-3).

As you can see, we also cite the poem after we have quoted it. The citation format here follows standard MLA conventions , but you should typically use line numbers rather than page numbers.

For quotes of more than three lines, set it on a new line, without quote marks, and indented from the left margin (like a block quote). For instance:

The poem ends as follows:

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. (Frost 15-20)

Try to make the layout of the poem as close as possible to the original.

Poem Titles: Italics or Quote Marks?

Another question is how to present poem titles on the page. This depends on the poem’s length. The MLA system suggests:

• For shorter poems published as part of a longer work, use quote marks.
• For longer poems published as a standalone book, use italics.

This applies when you name a poem in your writing, when listing poems in the Works Cited list, and when using titles within citations (e.g., if you are citing two sources by the same person ). So make sure to be consistent!

Poems in a Works Cited List

Finally, we’ll look at how to list poems in your Works Cited list. For single poems published as a standalone book, this is simple: just list it as you would any other book . The same is true when citing a poetry anthology with a single author (though you may need to name the editor, too).

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But for a poem from a mixed anthology (i.e., one containing poems by several authors), the format is like referencing a chapter from an edited book :

Surname, First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Anthology , edited by Editor Name(s), Publisher, Year, Page number(s).

Note that we use the actual page numbers for the poem within the container volume here, not line numbers. We would therefore list a print poem in a Works Cited list along the following lines:

Cohen, Leonard. “For E.J.P.” 20 th -Century Poets: An Anthology , edited by G. Edwards, Victor Gollancz Ltd, 2012, pp. 59-60.

For a poem found online, you can reference it as if it were a web page:

Surname, First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Site/Publishing Organization , date of publication (if available), URL. Date accessed (if required).

Remember that the date here should be when the poem was published online, not when it was originally written. In practice, then, the Works Cited list entry for a poem found online would look like this:

Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” PoemHunter , 20 Oct. 2016, www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-road-not-taken. (Accessed Oct. 19, 2018).

If you are unsure whether to include a date of access, check your style guide or ask your supervisor/professor. And if you’d like someone to check the clarity and consistency of your referencing, our expert editors can help .

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / How to Cite Sources / How to Cite a Poem in MLA

How to Cite a Poem in MLA

When writing a research essay, you may want to include poetry. It can be difficult to know how to cite a poem properly since it’s a particular type of resource that can be found online, in a book, or in an anthology.

This page contains everything you need to know to cite a poem in MLA style within your paper and on your reference page, as well as how to properly quote poems of different lengths within your paper. This page also contains information on creating your citations, formatting examples, and what details you need to compile before you can begin.

This guide follows rules established in the MLA Handbook , 9th edition, but is not officially associated with the Modern Language Association.

What You Need

Before you can create your poem citation, you will need to gather information on your source. If available, find:

• Poet’s first and last name
• Line, page number, or page range
• Title of the poem
• Year of the original and/or source publication
• Title of the book of poetry it’s in
• Title of the website it’s on
• Title of the anthology it’s in
• Name of the publishing company or website publisher
• URL (if applicable – online sources only)
• Editor(s) first and last name(s) (if applicable – anthologies only)

Citing a Poem Found Online 

Since poems can come from multiple sources, there are a few basic formats you can follow to create a citation. The formatting guidelines are different depending on where you found the poem. This section contains the basic format for any poetry you found online, including if it’s a PDF from another source.

Basic format:

Poet’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Poem.” Year of poem’s original publication (if available). Title of the Website, Name of Website Publisher, URL. Accessed day month year.

Frost, Robert. “Birches.” 1969. Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44260/birches. Accessed 1 Mar. 2020.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Begin the citation with the poet’s last name, with the first letter capitalized. Follow the last name with a comma and then the poet’s first name, also with a capitalized first letter. Follow the first name with a period.
• Put the title of the poem in quotation marks. Place a period after the title of the poem within the quotation marks. The title of the poem should be capitalized in title case (using capital letters only at the beginning of principal words).
• Put the numerical year of the poem’s original publication. You may have to do research beyond your online source for the poem to find this information. Follow the numerical year with a period.
• Put the title of the website in italics. Be sure to use title case capitalization here again. Follow the website title with a comma.
• Put the name of the website publisher in normal text (not italicized), using title case capitalization. Follow with a comma.
• Put the URL for your web source, without including https:// at the beginning. Follow the URL with a period.
• Write the word “Accessed” (with a capital A, without the quotation marks) followed by the date you looked up the web resource. The format for the date should be: the numerical day, capitalized and spelled-out month, and full numerical year. Be sure to place a period after the year to end your citation. The date should not include commas. So, for example, if the date you accessed your web source was March 12, 2020, you would finish your citation with “Accessed 12 Mar. 2020.” The access date is supplemental and may not always need to be included.

Citing a Poem from a Book

The formatting guidelines for citing a poem from a book are different from the guidelines for citing a poem found online. Note that anthologies have their own citation format. An anthology is a collection of works from different authors. This section contains the basic guidelines for citing a poem from a book. The format for anthologies is provided in the next section.

Basic Format: 

Poet’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Poem.” Title of the Book, Name of Publishing Company, Year of publication, page number or page range.

Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” Robert Frost Selected Poems, Fall River Press, 2011, p. 25.

• Put the title of the book where you read the poem in italics and title case, followed by a comma.
• Put the name of the publishing company in normal text (not italicized) as it is capitalized in the book, followed by a comma. This should be in title case since it is a proper noun. You do not need to include the location of the publisher.
• Put the numerical year of the book’s publication (which may be different from the year of the poem’s original publication), followed by a comma.
• Provide the page number(s) for the poem you are citing using “p.” or “pp.” and the page number or page range. For example, if the poem is on page 26, put p. 26. If the poem spreads across two or more pages, use “pp.” For example, if the poem is from page 26-29, put pp. 26-29. Follow the page number with a period to end your citation.

Citing a Poem from an Anthology

The guidelines for citing a poem from an anthology are different from the guidelines for citing a poem found online or even in a poetry book. An anthology is a compilation of different works from different authors or artists. The following format is for poems from an anthology.

Basic Format for a poem in an anthology: 

Poet’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Poem.” Title of Anthology, edited by Editor’s First and Last Name, edition (if applicable), volume (if applicable), Publisher, year of anthology publication, page number or page range.

Drummond, William. “Life.” The Giant Book of Poetry , edited by William Roetzheim, Level4Press Inc, 2006, p. 55.

• Put the title of the anthology where you found the poem in italics and title case, followed by a comma.
• For two editors, separate the names with the word “and” rather than an ampersand.
• For three or more editors, use commas to separate each editor’s name, using “and” only between the last two editors.
• If applicable to the anthology, include the book’s edition (e.g., 4th ed.) followed by a comma.
• If applicable to the anthology, include the book’s volume number (e.g., vol. 2) followed by a comma.
• Put the name of the publishing company in normal text (not italicized) as it is capitalized in the anthology, followed by a comma. You do not need to include the location of the publisher.

In-Text Citations

Unlike the reference page citations, MLA in-text citations for poems are generally the same regardless of the source. The examples below follow Sections 6.22 and 6.36 from the Handbook.

For in an-text citation, all you need to provide is:

• The poet’s last name
• The line number(s) or page number of the poem you are referencing

(Poet’s Last Name, line(s) #-#)

(Chaucer, lines 6-10)

If you state the author’s name within the sentence, you may just include the line numbers in parentheses instead of repeating the author’s name in the in-text citation. If no line numbers for the poem exist, do not count the lines yourself. Instead, include a page number.

As stated by Chaucer, “Thoght ye to me ne do no daliance” (line 8).

Quoting Up to Three Lines of Poetry

Using a direct quote from a poem is different from making a reference to a poem within your paper. To use a direct quote, you must put it in quotation marks.

To quote anything from a partial line of poetry up to three lines of poetry, you can simply use quotations and a “/” symbol to separate the lines, with a space on either side of the slash. Following the in-text citation guidelines in the section above, place your in-text citation at the end of your quote in parentheses, after the closing quotation marks and before the period.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – / I took the one less traveled by / And that has made all the difference” (Frost, lines 18-20).

In Robert Frost’s poem, he states, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – / I took the one less traveled by / And that has made all the difference” (lines 18-20).

Quoting Four or More Lines of Poetry

If you’d like to directly quote four or more lines of poetry within your paper, you will need to follow different guidelines than the ones above for three or fewer lines of poetry. When quoting four or more lines of poetry, you will not use quotation marks. Here are more formatting guidelines:

• In most cases, you will use a colon (:) at the end of the sentence before you begin your direct quote from the poem.
• After the sentence introducing the quote, leave an empty line before beginning the quote.
• You must separate a long quote from the rest of your paper by using a half-inch indent from the left throughout the quote.
• Instead of using a “ / ” to separate the lines of poetry, try to follow the original format of the poem as closely as possible.
• If a line is too long to fit across the page, use a hanging indent, so that the remainder of the line is more indented than the rest of the block quote.
• Place your in-text citation in parentheses at the end of the quote, following the last period (or other punctuation) of the quote and without punctuation after the closing parentheses. If the citation will not fit on the line, add it to the following line on the right-hand side of the page.

The poem describes choices in life by using the metaphor of a fork in the road:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth; (Frost, lines 1-5)

MLA Handbook . 9th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021.

Published October 21, 2013. Updated May 18, 2021.

Written by Grace Turney. Grace is a former librarian and has a Master’s degree in Library Science and Information Technology. She is a freelance author and artist.

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In-text citation for a poem can be in the following format:

• If you are quoting two or three lines of a poem, the quote should be placed within double quotation marks with a slash as a line separator, with one space on either side. (Stanzas should be separated with a double slash.) The quote should be followed by the author’s last name and the line numbers within parentheses.
• If the author’s name is already mentioned in text, only the line number should be inserted within parentheses next to the quotation.
• If there is no line number available for the poem, page numbers can be used.

William Wordsworth wrote, “The storm came on before its time: / She wandered up and down” (lines 11-12).

• If you are quoting four or more lines of a poem, your quote should be an indented block quote rather than enclosed within quotation marks.
• A colon should be placed at the end of the introductory text with a blank line following it.
• The full block quote should be indented a half inch throughout and match its original formatting as closely as possible.
• The author’s last name and line numbers should be placed at the end of the quotation within parentheses. The end period should be placed before the source.

The author was inspired by the lines of a poem: Not blither is the mountain roe: With many a wanton stroke Her feet disperse the powdery snow, That rises up like smoke. (Wordsworth, lines 13–16)

To cite a poem or short story, include the following details: the author’s name, year published, title of the poem/story, title of the book where you located or read the poem (if applicable), book editor’s first and last name (if applicable), publisher name, and page numbers.

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• Citing a Poem

Like other sources, poem citations begin with the poet's last name. However, there are some different MLA rules when it comes to citing lines of poetry.

• Works Cited
• In-Text Citation Rules
• In-text, Quoting 1 Line
• In-text, Quoting 2-3 Lines
• In-text, Quoting 4+ Lines

Citing a Poem: Works Cited

Poem in a book.

Format:  Author(s). "Title of Part."  Title of Book in Italics , edited by Editor, edition, vol. #, Publisher, Year,  page number(s).  Database Name  in Italics  (if electronic),  URL.

Example:  Lazarus, Emma. "The New Colossus."  The Norton Introduction to Literature,  edited by Kelly J. Mays, shorter 14th ed., W.W. Norton, 2022, p. 752. 

Poem from a Website

Format:  Author(s). “Poem Title.” Original publication year.  Title of Website in Italics , Website Publisher (if different than title), Date of publication, URL. Access Date.

Example:  Angelou, Maya. "Still I Rise." 1978.  Poetry Foundation , www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise. Accessed 21 Sep. 2022.

• Use "line" or "lines" in your in-text if the source lists line numbers rather than page numbers.
• For the first citation include the word  "line" or "lines" before the numbers
• After the first in-text citation establishing that you will be using lines for that partacular source, you no longer need to use the word line or lines.
• (Frost, lines 145-48)
• (Frost 145-48).
• Note: If you are citing only one source for your entire paper/project, then you do not need to repeat the author's last name/title in the in-text citations as long as it's clear that you're referencing the outside source. This means your first in-text citation could look like (Frost, lines 145-48), but later in that paragraph if your next citation could just be the line number, like this (152). 

Quoting a single line of poetry

In-Text Format:  (Poet Last Name, line number)

Example:  "So better by far for me if you were stone" (Duffy, line 17).

Note:  Only include the line numbers if they are already included in the poem you are citing. You do not need to count line numbers if they are not already included. If you find the poem in a book, you can use the page number(s) for the poem. If you found the poem online and there are no page numbers or line numbers, you only need to include the poet's last name.

Quoting 2-3 lines of poetry

When quoting 2-3 lines of poetry, use a forward slash ( / ) to mark the line breaks. If there is a stanza break between the lines you are quoting, use a double slash ( // ). Be sure to put a space before and after the slash. 

Use the exact punctuation, capitalization, and styling as used in the original text.

Format:  (Poet Last Name, line number(s))

Example:  "Wasn't I beautiful? / Wasn't I fragrant and young? // Look at me now" (Duffy, lines 40-42).

Quoting 4+ lines of poetry

When quoting 4 or more lines of poetry, use a block quote. Be sure to keep the spacing, punctuation, and capitalization the same as it is in the poem.

Example:  In the poem "Medusa," Medusa discusses why she wants to turn the man she loves into stone: Be terrified. It's you I love, perfect man, Greek God, my own; but I know you'll go, betray me, stray from home. So better by far for me if you were stone. (Duffy, lines 12-17)

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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Poetry

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In-Text Citation Rules for Poetry

Note : For your Works Cited list, all citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches.

Author of Poem's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Poem." Title of Book: Subtitle if Any , edited by Editor's First Name Last Name, Edition if given and is not first, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers of the Poem.

Donne, John. "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning." The Broadview Introduction to Literature: Poetry , edited by Lisa Chalykoff, Neta Gordon, and Paul Lumsden, Broadview Press, 2013, pp. 48-49.

(Author of Poem's Last Name, line(s) Line Number(s))

Example: (Donne, lines 26-28)

  Note: If your quotation contains more than one line from the poem use forward slashes (/) between each line of the poem. For line breaks that occur between stanzas, use a double forward slash (//).

Using scientific imagery, Donne describes his connection to his wife, "As stiff compasses are two: /Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show / To move, but both, if th' other do" (lines 26-28).

Note: If citing more than 3 lines, follow the rules for a long quotation .

Learn more: See the  MLA Handbook , pp. 78-79, 121-122

Poetry Taken from a Website

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Poem." Title of Website, Name of Organization Affiliated with the Website, Date of copyright or date last modified/updated, URL. Accessed Day Month Year site was visited.

Keats, John. "On the Grasshopper and Cricket." Poetry Foundation , 2020, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53210/ on-the-grasshopper-and-cricket. Accessed 24 March 2020.

Example: (Keats, lines 10-12)

Note: If your quotation contains more than one line from the poem use forward slashes (/) between each line of the poem. For line breaks that occur between stanzas, use a double forward slash (//).

Keats uses insects to represent the everlasting vitality of nature, "On a lone winter evening, when the frost / Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills / The Cricket’s song, in warmth increasing ever" (lines 10-12).

Example: (Blake, lines 6-9)

(Author of Poem's Last Name)

Example: (Chaucer)

(Author of Poem's Last Name Division Number. Line Number(s))

Example: (Pope 5.645-646)

Note : 5.645-646 refers to canto 5, lines 645-646.

MLA Handbook

Abbreviating Months

In your works cited list, abbreviate months as follows: 

January = Jan. February = Feb. March = Mar. April = Apr. May = May June = June July = July August = Aug. September = Sept. October = Oct. November = Nov. December = Dec.

Spell out months fully in the body of your paper. 

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Writing with artificial intelligence, quoting plays and poetry in mla.

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Table of Contents

The rules for quoting drama and/or poetry in Modern Language Association (MLA) Style differ from those for quoting the genre of prose. This article discusses rules for using MLA style to format quotes from drama and poetry. Consult the MLA Handbook to learn more.

Quoting Poetry

The MLA Handbook offers specific guidelines for quoting poetry.

In addition to the amount quoted and line breaks, other factors that matter include stanza breaks, and unusual layouts.

Special Issues: Stanza Breaks, Unusual Layouts

Stanza Breaks: Mark stanza breaks that occur in a quotation with two forward slashes, with a space before and after them ( / / ) (78).

William Carlos Williams depicts a vivid image in “The Red Wheelbarrow”: “so much depends / / upon / / a red wheel / / barrow / / glazed with rain / / water / / beside the white / / chickens” (“Williams”).

Unusual Layouts: If the layout of the lines in the original text is unusual, reproduce it as accurately as you can (79).

The English metaphysical John Donne uses indentation in some of his poems to create unusual layouts, as the first stanza of including “A Valediction: of Weeping” demonstrates:

Let me pour forth My tears before they face, whilst I stay here, For thy face coins them, and thy stamp they bear, And by this mintage they are something worth, For thus they be Pregnant of thee; Fruits of much grief they are, emblems of more, When a tear falls, that thou falls which it bore, So thou and I are nothing then, when on a divers shore. (lines 1-9)

Quoting Plays

When you must quote dialogue from a play, adhere to these rules:

• Set the quotation off from your text.
• Indent each name half an inch from the left margin and write it in all capital letters.
• Follow the name with a period and then start the quotation.
• Indent all other lines in the character’s speech an additional amount.
• When the dialogue shifts to another character, start a new line indented half an inch.
• Maintain this pattern throughout the quotation (80).

Example: One of the flashbacks in Margaret Edson’s Wit suggests Vivian Bearing’s illness causes her to question some of her previous interactions with students:

STUDENT 1. Professor Bearing? Can I talk to you for a minute?

VIVIAN: You may.

STUDENT 1: I need to ask for an extension on my paper. I’m really sorry, and I know your policy, but see—

VIVIAN: Don’t tell me. Your grandmother died.

STUDENT 1: You knew.

VIVIAN: It was a guess.

STUDENT 1: I have to go home.

VIVIAN: Do what you will, but the paper is due when it is due. (63)

Special Issues

Omissions: Follow the rules for omissions in quotations of prose (83).

Although some of the rules for quoting plays and poetry in MLA differ than those for quoting prose, understanding the guidelines will help you apply them in any scenario.

Donne, John. “The Bait.” The Complete English Poems . Penguin Books, 1971, pp. 43-4.

—. “The Break of Day.” The Complete English Poems . Penguin Books, 1971, pp. 45-6. Edson, Margaret. Wit. Faber and Faber, 1993.

Shakespeare, William. Sonnet 39. The Pelican Shakespeare: The Sonnets . Penguin Books, 1970, p. 59.

Williams, William Carlos: “The Red Wheelbarrow.” Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/resources/learning/core-poems/detail/45502 .

Yeats, William. “A Prayer for My Daughter.” The Collected Poems . Ed. Richard Finneran. Scribner, 1983, pp. 188-190.

Brevity - Say More with Less

Clarity (in Speech and Writing)

Coherence - How to Achieve Coherence in Writing

Flow - How to Create Flow in Writing

Inclusivity - Inclusive Language

The Elements of Style - The DNA of Powerful Writing

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Citation Guide – Learn How to Cite Sources in Academic and Professional Writing

Page Design – How to Design Messages for Maximum Impact

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How to Cite a Poem Using APA Style

Last Updated: December 18, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 164,711 times.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style guide is very popular, especially in the social sciences. If you need to write a paper in APA style, there are a lot of different formatting rules to consider. Citing sources, such as poems, can be one of the most confusing things, but if you follow a few simple rules, you'll have perfectly formatted citations.

Quoting a Poem in Your Essay

• For example, introduce a short quote like this. Frost writes, "Some say the world will end in fire."

• For example, cite two line of a poem like this: "Some say the world will end end fire, / Some say in ice."

• You should not use quotation marks with block quotes. It is not necessary because the indentation signifies that it is a quote.
• Be sure to maintain the same double spacing that you have in the rest of your paper.

Using Proper In-Text Citations

• If you mention the author's name in the sentence that introduces the quote, include the year in parentheses after the author's name, and the page number in parentheses after the end of quote. For example: In his poem "Fire and Ice," Robert Frost (1923) says, "Some say the world will end in fire." (p. 1)
• If you don't include the author's name in the sentence that introduces the quote, provide all three pieces of information, separated by commas, in parentheses after the end of the quote. For example: "Some say the world will end in fire." (Frost, 1923, p. 1)
• Parenthetical citations should always come after the punctuation of the preceding sentence.

• If you are not referring to one specific page of the poem, you may omit the page number from your parenthetical citation, although you are encouraged to provide a page number whenever possible.

• Capitalize all major words in the title of any work.
• Put quotation marks around the titles of shorter works (such as most poems).
• Italicize or underline the title of longer works (such as anthologies).

Citing a Poem in Your Works Cited

• Author's last name, Author's first name (Year of publication). Title of work: Subtitle. Location: Publisher.

• Author's last name, Author's first name (Year of publication). Title of poem. In Editor's first and last name (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page #). Location: Publisher.

• In general, if your source does not provide a specific piece of information, it is okay to omit it from the citation.
• Note that when citing multiple pages you should notate it with "pp." instead of "p."

• For a website, include the words "Retrieved from" followed by the full web address at the end of your citation.
• For an e-book, include the e-book format in square brackets directly after the title of the book (for example, [Kindle DX version]). Then include the words "Available from" followed by the website from which you retrieved the e-book at the end of your citation.

• Capitalize only the first word of the title of a book, not every word.
• Do not surround the title of a poem with quotation marks.
• Use the title References at the top of your page.
• Alphabetize your entries by the author's last name. If you have more than one source by the same author, use the date of publication to list them chronologically.
• The first line of each citation should not be indented, but all additional lines should be indented 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) (two spaces) from the left margin.
• Maintain the same double spacing you have throughout the rest of your paper.
• If you are providing annotations (descriptions of your sources), provide them directly beneath your citation, indented two spaces further than the second line of your citation.

Community Q&A

• If you plan on writing a lot of papers using APA format, it's a good idea to buy a print copy of the manual or pay for online access. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• APA is not the only style guide out there, so double check that your teacher wants you to use APA. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Be sure to cite all of the sources that you quote, paraphrase, or even refer to when writing a paper so that you avoid all appearances of plagiarism. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don’t forget that you will also have to compose your entire essay or paper according to the APA style. This includes using the APA rules regarding line and paragraph spacing, typeface, margins, etc. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://libguides.swansea.ac.uk/APA7Referencing/Poetry
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/quotation_marks/quotation_marks_with_fiction.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_author_authors.html
• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/cite-poem-apa-format-5072453.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html

About This Article

If you want to cite a poem using the APA style, include your quote from a poem in quotation marks if it's less than 40 words, and use forward slashes to indicate line breaks. To cite a longer passage, begin the quote on a new line and indent it to create a block quotation. For your in-text citation, include the author's name, year of publication, and page number, preceded by the letter "p." When it comes to the title, capitalize all major words, place short titles in quotes, and italicize longer titles. To learn how to include your citation in the works cited section of your essay, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Quoting and Citing a Poem in MLA: Tips, Steps, and Insights

You are in the right place if you have been struggling online trying to discover how to quote and cite a poem in an MLA essay. You might have heard your professor say that quoting a poem in MLA means introducing the quote and using quotation marks, as you would for any other source. But how do you do that correctly when the quote includes line breaks? Let us look at this comprehensive guide to citing a poem in an MLA paper.

 In this post, you will discover all the information you need to know to quote and cite poems correctly as per the MLA stylebook.

When to Quote a Poem

Before you learn how to quote and cite a poem, it is vital to learn when it is necessary to do so. You should only quote a poem in your essay:

1. When Absolutely Necessary

You should only quote a poem in your essay when it is necessary. Quoting lines upon lines of a poem in your essay to boost the word count will not do you much good.

Most professors will be annoyed when they notice you have done this in your essay. And this usually leads only to an average or lower grade. Therefore, quote a poem only when absolutely necessary.

You will know it is necessary to quote a poem when quoting a poem adds value to your paper. If you genuinely believe quoting a poem enhances your paper in one way or another, you should do it.

2. When You Want To Support Your Arguments

It would help if you quoted a poem to support your arguments. There are situations where you cannot write your essay correctly without quoting a poem.

For example, when you analyze a poem in your essay, you must quote it several times. This will help show the reader what you are talking about. In other words, it will help you to support your arguments.

Related Reading:

• How to use block quotes in MLA.
• How to title a movie in an essay.
• Indenting paragraphs in an academic essay.

Now that you know when to quote a poem in an essay, it is time to discover how exactly to do so. The information we share below will show you how to quote a poem in MLA.

Essential Tips to Quote a Poem in MLA

There are different rules for quoting just a single line of poetry, two or three lines, and for quoting four or more lines.

1. How to Quote a Single Line of Poetry in Your MLA Essay

Quoting a single line of poetry in an MLA essay is easy. You need to put it in double quotes. This is how you would quote a single line of anything else in your MLA essay. So nothing is challenging about it.

Putting a single line of poetry in your MLA essay without enclosing it with double quotation marks will make it difficult for your professor to know you are quoting something.

And do not for a moment think that italicizing a line of poetry can work in lieu of the double quotation marks. It cannot work since it is not how the MLA stylebook requires you to quote a single line of poetry.

Examples of how to quote a single line of poetry:

• "While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping" Edgar Allan Poe
• "The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed" Percy Shelley
• "Life is but an empty dream!" Henry Longfellow

2. How to Quote Two or Three Lines of Poetry

Quoting two or three lines of poetry is a bit more complex than quoting just one. This is because two or three lines of poetry will need something to tell the reader they are moving to the next line.

So how do you do it? Write two or three lines of poetry and enclose them with double quotation marks. Then use the forward slash symbol "/" to show the transition from one line to the next. The symbol should be preceded and followed by space.

If the lines you are quoting are from two different stanzas, use the double forward slash symbol "//" to show the transition from one stanza to the next.

One important thing to remember when quoting a chunk of poetry in your essay is that you should always retain the same styling, capitalization, and punctuation as in the original poem. Do not adjust or rewrite anything to make it sound better or more correct.

Examples of how to quote two to three lines of poetry:

• "Life is real! Life is earnest! / And the grave is not its goal;" Henry Longfellow
• "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Percy Shelley
• "Does it dry up / Like a raising in the sun?" Langston Hughes

3. How to Quote Four or More Lines of Poetry

How you quote four or more lines of poetry differs from how you quote three or fewer lines of poetry. It is different because when you quote four or more lines of poetry, you must quote them as a block.

Here is how exactly to quote four or more lines of poetry. First, introduce the quote or provide the reader with some context on the quote you will unleash to them. Second, put a colon at the end of the sentence to show a quote is coming.

Third, create a line break (a new line) and press the "Tab" this will indent your quote (0.5-inch from the left margin) and distinguish it from the rest of your writing. Lastly, quote the poem you wanted to quote without adding any quotation marks.

Example 1 of how to quote four or more lines of poetry:

Langston Hughes' poem opens with a couple of rhetorical questions:

            What happens to a dream deferred?

            Does it dry up

            Like a raisin in the sun?

            Or fester like a sore-

            And then run?

Example 2 of how to quote four or more lines of poetry

Maya Angelou's inspiring poem offers words of encouragement to the downtrodden:

            You may shoot me with your words,

            You may cut me with your eyes,

            You may kill me with your hatefulness,

            But still, like air, I'll rise.

Example 3 of how to quote four or more lines of poetry

The poet John Donne, in his thought-inspiring poem, reveals the deep connection we have to humanity:

            Any man's death diminishes me,

            Because I am involved in mankind,

            And therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

            It tolls for thee.

You now know how exactly to quote a poem in an MLA essay. It is now to discover how to cite a poem in MLA. Citing is not the same thing as quoting. It is more complex. Check the section below to understand.

How to cite a poem in an MLA Paper or Essay

When you name, discuss, mention, or refer to a poem, it is best to cite it so that your reader can read more about it if they want to. Failure to properly cite a poem or any other work you use or discuss in your essay is wrong and is considered academic dishonesty. It will make your essay look like it is missing something and reduce your chances of getting an excellent grade (professors do not like poorly cited essays).

When citing a poem in your essay, you must cite it in-text and on the reference page.

Citing a poem in-text has a few rules that you need to follow. The most important rule is clearly stating the author's last name. The purpose of doing this is to enable the reader to quickly locate the author of the work and the associated source on your references page.

Follow the rules below to cite any poem in-text in your MLA essay properly.

A. How to cite a poem with no line numbers or page numbers

You can find a poem on a website or a published text without any lines or page numbers. The correct way to cite it is only by the author's last name. Do not count the lines or the pages manually for your in-text citation.

Example of how to cite a poem with no line numbers or page numbers

"Every man is a piece of the continent, / A part of the main." (Donne)

B. How to cite a poem with line numbers

Sometimes poems are published with line numbers on the side. This is often true in official poem collections. When you quote or talk about a poem with line numbers in your essay, your in-text citation must show the exact lines you have quoted or are talking about.

Your citation should begin with the author's last name followed by a comma and the exact lines you have quoted or are discussing. Once you cite a poem with line numbers in this manner, put line numbers only in parentheses in subsequent references to the same poem.

Example of how to cite a poem with line numbers

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, / And sorry I could travel both" (Frost, lines 1-2).

C. How to cite a poem with page numbers

A poem can be published over several pages. If a poem is published over several pages but without line numbers, you should provide an in-text citation referencing the exact page number you have quoted or are talking about.

Your citation should begin with the author's last name and the page number. Unlike in the case of line numbers, you are not supposed to put a comma between the poet's last name and the page number.

Example of how to cite a poem with page numbers

"For they sweet love remembered such wealth brings, / That, then I scorn to change my state with kings." (Shakespeare 38).

D. How to cite a poem multiple times

When you cite a poem severally in the same paragraph, you don't need to repeat the entire in-text citation over and over again. You need to put only the line number or page number you are referring to in parentheses.

Example of how to cite a poem consecutively in the same paragraph

"And be one traveler, long I stood / And looked down one as far as I could"

Citing a poem on the reference page MLA

Every poem you cite in-text should have the full citation on your references page. How you reference a poem on the references page depends on the source.

Poems can be found in many places (e.g., online, in a book, or in an anthology). The way you cite a poem you've found online is not the same you cite a poem you've found in a book.

A. How to cite a poem found online

When you find a poem online or on a website, there is a way you need to cite it. You must begin with the author's last name and then their first name. You need to follow the poet's name with the poem's name in parentheses. Check out the format below.

Online citation format:

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title." Year of publication. Title of the website, Website Publisher, Link. Accessed day month year.

Online citation example:

Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 29." 1609. Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45090/sonnet-29-when-in-disgrace-with-fortune-and-mens-eyes. Accessed 19 Feb. 2023.

B. How to cite a poem from a book

When you find a poem in a book, there are rules you need to follow in citing it. The first two elements of the citation (the name and the title of the poem, will be formatted the same way as when citing a poem from an online source. The other elements are different, so the formatting is a bit different. Check out the format below.

Book citation format

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title." Book Title, Publisher. Year of publication, Page number/range.

Book citation example

Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 29." William Shakespeare Poem Collection, Oxford University Press, 2009, p. 32.

C. How to cite a poem from an anthology

An anthology is a collection of poems from different authors. How you cite a poem from an anthology is not the same way you cite a poem from a book with poems from solely one author. Use the format below to cite a poem from an anthology.

Anthology citation format

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Work."  Anthology Collection,  edited by (first name and last name), edition (if applicable), volume (if applicable), Publisher, year of anthology publication, page number or page range.

Anthology citation example:

Hughes, William. "Dark Oceans."  Collection of Modern South African Poems , edited by John Moore, Cape Town University Press, 2009, p. 77.

As we wind up this Super Guide...

If you made it this far, you are now conversant with how to quote poems in an MLA paper. You can now comfortably cite poems from different sources. We hope that the information we have shared with you should make it easy for you to quote and cite poems easily in your MLA essays.

• How to write a poem analysis essay.
• How to write an expository essay.
• How to write a rhetorical analysis essay.

If you ever find it difficult to cite a poem or any other source or evidence in your essay, you should place an order. We are an online assignment-help website with handpicked professional writers capable of correctly citing poems in MLA and all other types of essays. We are your go-to website if you have a poem analysis essay and need some help writing it. All you need to do to get a citation or referencing assistance from us is to visit our home page.

You can order whatever assignment help service by filling out the order form. When you complete the process, the order will quickly be picked up by an expert and completed as soon as possible. Trust us today with your citation or referencing work; you won't regret it.

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How to Cite a Poem: MLA and APA Formatting Quotations

Writing, and all of its connected skills, are essential to succeed in studying — especially humanities. One such skill is the proper use of quotations. To make a quotation means to place the exact words of another author in your essay — these words could be lines from a poem as well.

When to Use Poem Quotes

When is it appropriate to cite a poem? Most often, quotes from poems are used by liberal art students, literature students, and language students. It is hard to imagine writing an essay about a poet without including some pieces of his works, or describing some poetry trend without providing examples. Also, you may find poem lines used in descriptive, reflective, argumentative, and compare and contrast essays.

Nevertheless, even if you are not a humanities student, you are not limited to use poem citations in your works if the meaning of the line(s) you have chosen is relevant. While there are no rules on where you may cite a poem, there are a lot on how you should do it in different formatting styles. Continue reading to find out more about how to cite a poem correctly or simply use professional help. Need help? You can buy custom essay at EssayPro.

To get help from essay writer online , just let us know your requirements and we will create an original paper with proper formatting.

Citing Poem Quotes in MLA Style

The most popular formatting style is MLA (Modern Language Association). Despite it possibly being the easiest style to use, you will need some time to learn all of the rules, and time to train to apply them.

You might also be interested in how to style an essay using MLA FORMAT

The rules of citing a poem in MLA style depend on the citation’s length. Quotes up to three lines are considered to be short, and quotes longer than three lines – long.

 Having Troubles with Citing a Poem?

Allow our writers to demonstrate how it’s done! 

Citing a Short and a Long Quote

Short Quote Example:

In “Song of Myself”, Walt Whitman wrote, “I exist as I am, that is enough, / If no other in the world be aware I sit content, / And if each and all be aware I sit content.”

Long Quote Example:

‍ Emily Dickinson wrote: Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves And Immortality.

Citing the Title of the Poem

Regardless of the length of a quote, you should clearly indicate the poet’s last name. You should also include the title of the poem if you cite more than one poem by the same author in your work. You may do it in two ways: mention it before the quotation in the main text, or include it in a parenthetical citation at the end of the lines. If you mentioned the name and the title before the quote, but you’re not sure if it will be obvious for the reader, you may repeat it in a parenthetical citation — it won’t be considered as a mistake.

Besides the poet’s last name and the title of the poem, a parenthetical citation should include a line or page number. Here are some brief rules for parenthetical citations:

• If a poem was published with line numbers in the margin, put the line number. Use the word “line”, or “lines”, in the first quotation of your work. Only use numbers in all of the following quotations from the same sources you’ve already quoted.

Example: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.” (Frost, lines 18-20)

• If there are no line numbers in the margin, put the page number in parenthetical citation after the poet’s last name instead. Do not use a comma between the poet’s name and page number.

Example: “Your head so much concerned with outer, / Mine with inner, weather.” (Frost 126)

• If you found the poem from a website, or the page numbers are not available for other reasons, don’t put any numbers at all. Leave only the poet’s last name and poem’s title (if required as mentioned above).

Example: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?” (Mary Oliver)

• If you mentioned the poet’s last name and poem’s title before the citation (if required as mentioned above), and you have no lines or page number, don’t make an in-text citation after the quote at all.

Example: Here is what Pablo Neruda wrote about this feeling, “I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, / in secret, between the shadow and the soul.”

• If you would like to cite the title of the poem not in a parenthetical citation, but inside your text, there are two ways to do it, and it depends on the title’s length. Short poem titles should be cited in quotation marks.

Examples: “A Book”, “Fire and Ice”, or “Nothing Gold can’t Stay”

• Long poem titles should be cited in italics.

Example: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Because I could not Stop for Death.

• Don't forget to write a full reference for each source you use in your Works Cited page at the end of your essay. If the poem citation was taken from a book, it should be made in the following format: Poet’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Book: Subtitle (if any) , edited by Editor’s First Name Last Name, Edition (if given and is not first), Publisher’s Name (often shortened), Year of Publication, pp. xx-xx.

Examples: Dickinson, Emily. “A Book.” Emily Dickinson: Selected Poems , edited by Anthony Eyre, Mount Orleans Press, 2019, pp. 55-56.

• If the poem citation was taken from a website, it should be made in the following format: Poet’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Book: Subtitle (if any) , Edition (if given and is not first), Publisher Name (often shortened), Year of Publication, Website Name, URL. Accessed Access Date.

Example: Frost, Robert. “Fire and Ice”. Poetry Foundation , https://poetryfoundation.org/poems/44263/fire-and-ice. Accessed 28 Nov. 2019.

You may also be interested in how to write a conclusion for a research paper . This information will be useful for all kinds of student papers, whether you need just to cite a poem or write a political science essay. If you need assistance, a political science essay writer can help you craft an exceptional paper.

How to Cite a Poem in APA Style?

APA is the abbreviation for American Psychological Association, and is the second most popular formatting style — used mainly in social studies. Here are some APA rules for poem citations that you need to know from our service:

• For poem quotes up to 40 words (short quotes), using quotation marks is obligatory.
• You don’t have to start a short quote from a new line.
• Line breaks in short quotes should be marked by a slash.
• Block citations should be used for quotes longer than 40 words (long quotes).
• You have to start a block citation from a new line.
• Do not use quotation marks for block citations
• Block quotations should be indented 1.3 cm from the left margin, and in double-space formatting.

If your quote is taken from a book, a full reference to the source in the Works Cited page (in APA style) should be made according to the following template: Poet’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Poem title. In Editor Initial. Last Name (Ed.), Book title (pp. xx-xx). Location: Publisher.

Example: Dickinson, E. (2019). A book. A. Eyre (Ed.), Emily Dickinson: Selected Poems (pp.55-56). Cricklade, U.K.: Mount Orleans Press.

If a quotation was taken from a website, the following template should be used: Poet’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Poem title. Retrieved from http://WebAddress.

Example: Dickinson, E. (2019, November 28). I'm Nobody! Who are you? Retrieved from https://poets.org/poem/im-nobody-who-are-you-260.

How to Cite a Poem in Harvard Style? 

In Harvard style, citing a poem follows a similar format to citing other sources. Here's how you can cite a poem using Harvard style:

In-text citation:

For in-text citations, include the poet's last name, the year of publication (if available), and the page number if you are quoting directly. If the poem is online, you can include the title, stanza, or line number instead of the page number.

According to Frost (1916), "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by" (p. 1).

As Frost (1916) famously wrote, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by" (p. 1).

If the poem has no page numbers, you can use line numbers instead:

(Brathwaite, 2007, lines 5-8)

If you're paraphrasing or referring to the poem generally, you can just mention the poet's name and the year:

According to Dickinson (1896), life is often portrayed as a journey.

Dickinson's (1896) poetry often explores themes of mortality and nature.

Reference list entry:

In the reference list, include the full bibliographic details of the poem, including the poet's name, the title of the poem (in italics), the publication year, the title of the book or anthology (if applicable), the editor's name (if applicable), the publisher, and the page numbers (if applicable).

Frost, R. (1916). The Road Not Taken. In Mountain Interval. Henry Holt and Company.

Brathwaite, E. K. (2007). Barabajan Poems 1492-1992. Wesleyan University Press.

Make sure to italicize the poem's title and the book or anthology title. If you're citing a poem from an online source, include the URL and the access date. Always check your institution's guidelines for citation formatting, as variations in citation style requirements may exist.

Tips and Tricks on How to Cite a Poem

Here are a few recommendations on how to format poem quotations properly. They will be useful whether or not you are a beginner or advanced user of poem citations, regardless of what formatting style you are using.

• Read the whole poem to be sure you understand the meaning of the citation and author’s message correctly. Then, decide which lines can be used as a quote for your work.
• Write a few words about: why you chose the lines from your poem, their message, and what their connection is with your essay topic.
• Do not overuse quotations in your work. You may also paraphrase, instead of quoting, in order to share other’s views. Moreover, it is your own work and you shouldn’t rely on others’ words the whole time.
• There is no need to cite the entire poem if you need a few lines in the beginning and a few in the end. Omit middle lines that you don’t need (use ellipses to point out that you will skip words), or create two quotations that connect with your text between them.
• Use embedded quotes. These are quotes that are implemented as a part of your sentence. You may put it at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of your sentence. The idea is to make it an organic part of your text. Example: As well as Robert Frost, at first “I hold with those who favor fire”.
• When citing a specific source (periodicals or a website perhaps), check the specifics on how to cite it in MLA or another format — as there are some particularities we didn’t have time to cover.
• Together with the final review of your essay, proofread your cited quotes for both: appropriate usage, and correct formatting.

For now, before you hone your professional skills, we are here to help you! Do not hesitate to contact our service, no matter what kind of help you need, whether it's a poem citations or physics help .

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How to Cite a Poem in APA?

How to cite a poem in mla, how to properly cite a poem, how to cite a poem in harvard style.

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Cite a Poem

When you're dealing with poems in an essay or any other academic paper, you might find yourself needing to reference or quote them. Knowing how to cite a poem properly will not only help you adhere to academic standards but also enhance your writing by highlighting the relevance of a particular line of the poem. This comprehensive guide will shed light on how to cite a poem in various formats, include both short and long quotes, and ensure that your citations align with the MLA style guidelines. You'll find it handy whether you are a student, writer, or literature enthusiast. Get ready to explore the essentials of citing a poem.

When Should You Cite a Poem?

Citing a poem is crucial when you include specific words, lines, or ideas from a poem in your writing. There are instances when you need to cite a poem, and understanding these scenarios will guide you in applying correct citation. Whether you're using a short poem or a specific  emilyspoetryblog.com line from a longer poem, proper citation will not only help your readers trace the original source but also maintain the integrity of your work. You should cite a poem when quoting it directly, paraphrasing a particular section, or even when referring to its title or author. Citing a poem ensures that you give credit where credit is due, adhering to academic honesty and avoiding plagiarism.

Cite a Poem in Different Formats

When it comes to citing a poem, the format you use might differ based on the style guide you are following. The most common method is MLA formatting, but others like APA and Chicago styles might apply. When citing a poem in MLA, you'll need to include the author's name, poem title, and page number if applicable. For short quotes from the poem, you'll use quotation marks, while for long quotes, you'll apply block quotes formatting. If you are using online sources, don't forget to include the URL. This section will dive deeper into the various ways to cite a poem, ensuring that you do it correctly and efficiently.

Quoting Up to Three Lines of Poetry

When you want to quote a poem in your essay, and it's up to three lines long, you'll use the regular in-text citation method. You should cite the author's last name and the line number in parentheses right after the quote. Here's how to do it: "This is the quote" (Author's Last Name Line Number). For short quotes like these, you'll need to use quotation marks and properly format the citation according to the MLA guidelines. This method is suitable for integrating brief, impactful lines from a poem that can emphasize a point or illustrate a theme in your writing. Make sure to cite the lines correctly to maintain the authenticity of your work.

Quoting More Than Four Lines

When quoting more than four lines from a poem, you should use the block quotes method. This formatting allows you to include longer sections of a poem without crowding your text. To correctly quote a long poem section, start the quote on a new line, indenting one inch from the left margin, and do not use quotation marks. Here's how to format it in your essay: This is the quote This is the continuation of the quote. (Author's Last Name Line Numbers). By following this method, you can include longer quotes from a poem in a visually appealing way, allowing your readers to fully grasp the context and meaning of the quoted section.

Poem Title and Its Importance

The title of a poem is more than just a name; it often provides insights into the poem's theme or subject matter. When citing a poem, you must include the title in italics or enclosed in quotation marks, depending on the citation style. In MLA format, for example, the title should be enclosed in quotation marks. Including the poem title in your citation ensures that your readers can easily locate the original source and perhaps explore it further. This is an essential aspect of citing a poem and one that contributes to the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

Short Quotes

When dealing with short quotes from a poem, you must apply specific formatting rules. These quotes, usually up to three lines long, need to be enclosed in quotation marks and followed by a citation in parentheses. The citation should include the author's last name and the line numbers. Short quotes can be an effective way to emphasize a point or illustrate a theme in your writing. By using them correctly, you'll ensure that your work is both engaging and academically sound. Always remember to cite these short quotes correctly to maintain the integrity of your work.

Long Quotes

Long quotes from a poem, typically more than four lines, require special formatting known as block quotes. These quotes should start on a new line, be indented one inch from the left margin, and should not be enclosed in quotation marks. Including long quotes in your writing allows you to present more substantial portions of a poem, providing your readers with a richer context or a more profound understanding of the subject matter. Long quotes must be cited properly, including the author's last name and the line numbers, following the MLA guidelines. By applying this method correctly, you'll add depth and nuance to your writing while adhering to academic standards.

Quote a Poem in an Essay

Quoting a poem in an essay is not merely about inserting lines from the poem. It involves understanding the context, choosing the appropriate quote that fits your argument, and then formatting it according to the required citation style, such as MLA. When you quote a poem in an essay, you should be thoughtful in selecting the lines that resonate with your topic and contribute to your argument. Don't forget to include both short and long quotes, depending on the need, and always ensure that you cite them correctly. This practice adds credibility to your essay and helps your readers understand the relevance of the quoted poem.

Dos and Don'ts

Citing a poem comes with specific rules and guidelines that you must adhere to. Here are some essential dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

• Always cite the poem's author and title.
• Follow the appropriate citation style, such as MLA.
• Use quotation marks for short quotes and block quotes for long ones.
• Include the line numbers in your citation.
• Forget to include the page number if applicable.
• Misquote or paraphrase without proper citation.
• Overuse quotes, balance them with your analysis and insights.
• Ignore the importance of the poem's title in your citation.

Useful Resources:    https://hollywoodcelebgossips.com/9-celebrities-who-didnt-go-to-college/

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Practical Guide to Citing and Quoting a Poem in MLA Format with Great Examples

Bob cardens.

• November 30, 2023
• How to Guides

Working with a poem as a source? Here’s a guide to citing and quoting a poem in MLA format.

Citing a poem in MLA involves using parenthetical citations and ensuring the in-text information matches the corresponding entry on the Works Cited page.

Following the author-page format, you can seamlessly integrate quotes and paraphrases into your writing while properly crediting the source. Works by multiple authors, unknown authors, and those with multiple editions require specific citation guidelines that we’ll explore in detail.

Remember, accuracy and proper formatting matter when citing and quoting a poem in MLA format.

Consult the MLA Handbook and Style Manual for further guidance or specific reference questions. And don’t forget, if you need writing help, our expert writers can assist you within 2-3 hours.

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Citing and Quoting a Poem in MLA Format -How to properly cite a quote in MLA format from a poem

The basic format for an i n-text citation of a poem in MLA is to include the author’s last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken. The author’s name can be mentioned in the sentence or enclosed in parentheses, while the page number(s) should always appear in parentheses.

Here are a few examples to illustrate how to cite poems in various scenarios:

In his poem “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost reflects on the choices we make in life (19). (Frost 19)

If you are citing multiple poems by the same author, you can include the title of the poem in your citation:

Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” emphasizes the power of optimism (4). (Dickinson, “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” 4)

If you are citing a poem from a collection or anthology, you should include the page range of the specific poem:

In “The Waste Land,” T.S. Eliot explores themes of disillusionment and despair (Eliot 25-30). (Eliot 25-30)

Remember, these are just a few examples of how to cite poems in MLA format. The specific rules may vary depending on your source and edition. It’s always a good idea to consult the MLA Handbook for more detailed guidelines.

How to quote up to three lines of poetry:

• Use slashes (/) to indicate line breaks within the poem.
• Keep all punctuation intact as it appears in the poem
• Use quotation marks to denote the beginning and end of the quotation.
• Put the line numbers in parentheses and not page numbers.

Citing a Poem from Print Sources in MLA

It is important to follow the MLA guidelines to ensure accurate and proper citation for print sources such as a book, magazines, scholarly journal articles, or newspapers.

• In-text citations for poems in print sources require a signal word or phrase, typically the author’s last name, followed by the page number where the poem can be found.
• If the author’s name is already mentioned in the sentence, only the page number must be provided in parentheses.
• For example, if you cite a poem from a book by a known author, the in-text citation would follow this format: (Author’s Last Name Page Number).
• If the poem is from an article or a corporate-authored work, the format would be: (Author’s Last Name Page Number).
• Page numbers should always be provided for poems in print sources, even if the poem spans multiple pages.

Here is an example of a properly formatted in-text citation for a poem from a print source:

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility” (Wordsworth 26).

In this example, the poem is from a book by Wordsworth, and the quote can be found on page 26.

Working on a Literature Paper?

Citing a Poem from Online Sources in MLA

When citing and quoting a poem in MLA format, citing online sources is essential. This is especially important in today’s digital age, where information can be found online.

The basic format for an online poem citation includes the author’s last name, the poem’s title in quotation marks, the title of the database or website in italics, the publication date, and the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier).

Example: Eliot, T.S. “The Waste Land.” The Waste Land and Other Poems . Poetry Foundation, 1922, www.poetryfoundation.org.

For poems from online newspapers or magazines, the citation follows a similar format but also includes the name of the publication and the section or page number where the poem is located.

How to create a Works Cited Page in MLA

As you complete your research paper or essay, creating a Works Cited page is important to document all the sources you used

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a well-organized Works Cited page in MLA format.

1. Start a New Page

After the last page of your paper, begin a new page and center the title “Works Cited” at the top. Make sure the page is double-spaced throughout, including the title.

2. Format Your Entries

List your sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If there is no author, use the title of the work instead. Each entry should be flush with the left margin, with subsequent lines indented by 0.5 inches.

For books, include the author’s name, book title in italics, publisher, year of publication, and medium of publication. For articles, include the author’s name, article title in quotation marks, journal or website title in italics, volume and issue numbers, publication date, and medium of publication.

3. Follow the Correct Formatting

Remember to follow the specific formatting guidelines for different types of sources. For example, books are formatted differently from online articles. Double-check your entries for accuracy and consistency.

“The Works Cited page is your opportunity to give credit to the authors and creators of the works you referenced in your paper. By following the MLA guidelines for creating a Works Cited page, you are ensuring the integrity of your research and providing your readers with the necessary information to locate and evaluate the sources you used.”

Key MLA Formatting Guidelines for Citing a Poem

When citing and quoting a poem in MLA format, it’s not just about the in-text citations and Works Cited page. The formatting of your entire paper also needs to follow MLA guidelines. Let’s take a look at some key formatting rules that you need to keep in mind.

• Heading and Title – The first thing to consider is the heading and title of your paper. Your paper should have a heading that includes your name, the instructor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title of your paper should be centred and in the title case.
• Page Numbering and Font – Pages in your paper should be numbered consecutively in the upper right corner, starting from the first page. Use a legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, and set the font size to 12pt
• Margins and Line Spacing – The margins of your paper should be set to 1 inch on all sides. Double-space the entire paper, including the Works Cited page. Use consistent indents for paragraphs, typically half an inch.
• Formatting Titles – There are specific rules to follow when formatting the titles of sources, such as poems and books. Poem titles should be enclosed in quotation marks, while book titles should be italicized or underlined. Make sure to consult the MLA Handbook for specific formatting guidelines.

Remember to;

• Use parenthetical citations in the author-page format, with the author’s last name and page number(s) either in the sentence or in parentheses after the quotation or paraphrase.
• Match the in-text information with the corresponding entry on the Works Cited page.
• Adhere to the specific guidelines for each source type, including the proper order of elements and formatting of titles.
• Accuracy and attention to detail in your citations are key to maintaining academic integrity and adequately crediting your sources.

Source Links

• https://alameda.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MLA-Handout-new-format-v2.pdf
• https://academics.umw.edu/writing-fredericksburg/files/2011/09/MLA.pdf
• https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sunycorning1020elec201819/chapter/mla-8th-edition/
• thestudycorp.com

How do I cite a poem in MLA format?

To cite a poem in MLA format, you need to include the poet’s last name and the line numbers in the text (e.g., Logan 5-7). If you are citing multiple poems from the same poet, you can include the poem’s title after the poet’s name (e.g., Wordsworth, “Gregory” 5-7). The basic format for an i n-text citation of a poem in MLA is to include the author’s last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken. The author’s name can be mentioned in the sentence or enclosed in parentheses, while the page number(s) should always appear in parentheses.

What if I don’t know the line numbers?

If the poem does not have line numbers, you can use the page number instead (e.g., Wordsworth 25). Alternatively, you can use the poem’s title, but be sure to enclose it in quotation marks (e.g., Wordsworth, “Daffodils”).

How do I format the citation in the Works Cited page?

For the Works Cited page, the citation for a poem should follow this format: Last name, First name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Book or Anthology (in italics or underlined), edited by Editor’s First Name Last Name, Publisher, Year of publication, page range of poem.

Can I use a shortened version of the poem title in the in-text citation?

Yes, poem is long, you can use a shortened version in the in-text citation. Just make sure it is clear which poem you are referring to. You can use the first few words of the poem’s title or a keyword.

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How to Cite a Line in a Poem

You've mastered the art of citing books in your essays -- but now you have to cite a poem, which uses lines instead of page numbers in MLA format. To make matters even more complicated, if you are citing an epic poem, you will need to cite the book or canto, as well as the line number. However, the rules for citing poetry in both MLA and APA formats are as codified as the rules for citing other works, and once you have learned them, you can cite lines of poetry with ease.

Cite the poem in-text by writing the poet's last name in parentheses. After the author's name, write the line number that you are citing. If you name the poet in the body of the paragraph, do not name him again in parentheses.

For example:

In "Loveliest of Trees," Housman predicts he will only have fifty more springs to see the cherry blossoms (8).

"Thanatopsis" notes that death will not be a lonely state, as all have died (Bryant 31-56).

Cite an anonymous poem as you would a poem with an author, but write the poem's title, in quotes, in place of the poet's last name.

"Beowulf" states that Grendel is related to "monsters and elves and the walking dead, / And also those giants who fought against God" (112-113).

As a descendant of Cain, Grendel is related to "monsters and elves and the walking dead, / And also those giants who fought against God" ("Beowulf" 112-113).

Cite a line from an epic or other long poem by writing the canto or book before the line number, followed by a period. Use Arabic numerals even if your book uses Roman numerals for cantos and books.

Astyanax does not recognize Hector when he wears his helmet (Homer 6.556-562).

Cite the entire poem in your bibliography, not just the line or lines you cite in the text of your paper. Write the poet's last name, a comma and his first name. Write the title of the poem in quotation marks if it is short, or in italics if it is longer than a short story. Write the title of the anthology, if any, in italics. If the anthology has an editor, write "Ed." followed by the editor's name. Write the place of publication, a colon, the publishing company, a comma, the year of publication and a period. Write the page or pages on which the poem is located in the anthology followed by a period and the word "Print." If the poem is anonymous, begin with the title of the poem instead of the author.

Bryant, William Cullen. "Thanatopsis." Treasury of Favorite Poems. Ed. Louis Untermyer. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1996. 434-436. Print.

Beowulf. Ed. and trans. Howell D. Chickering, Jr. New York: Doubleday, 1977. Print.

Eliot, T.S. "Growltiger's Last Stand." Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Orlando: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers, 1982. 9-11. Print.

Cite the poem in-text by writing the poet's last name in parentheses, followed by a comma, the year of the anthology or edition's publication and the page number you are quoting. Do not cite the specific line in APA. If you name the poet in-text, write the year of publication in parentheses after the poet's name and write the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

In "Loveliest of Trees," Housman (1996) predicts he will only have fifty more springs to see the cherry blossoms (p. 485).

"Thanatopsis" notes that death will not be a lonely state, as all have died (Bryant, 1996, p. 434).

"Beowulf" (1977) states that Grendel is related to "monsters and elves and the walking dead, / And also those giants who fought against God" (p. 55).

As a descendant of Cain, Grendel is related to "monsters and elves and the walking dead, / And also those giants who fought against God" ("Beowulf," 1977, p. 55).

Cite the poem in your bibliography by writing the poet's last name, a comma and the first initial. Write the publication date of the anthology or edition in parentheses. Write the title of the poem, capitalizing only the first letter and any proper nouns, followed by a period. If the poem is in an anthology, write "In" followed by the editor's name and (Ed.), then the title of the anthology in italics. Conclude by writing the page numbers in parentheses, the place of publication, a colon and the publisher name. If the poem is anonymous, write the title in place of the author's name.

Eliot, T.S. (1982). Growltiger's last stand. In Old Possum's book of practical cats (pp. 9-11). Orlando: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers.

Bryant, W.C. (1996). Thanatopsis. In L. Untermeyer (Ed.), Treasury of favorite poems (pp. 434-436). New York: Barnes & Noble Books.

Beowulf. (1977). (H.D. Chickering, Ed. and Trans.). New York: Doubleday.

Need help with a citation? Try our citation generator .

• Purdue Online Writing Lab; MLA Works Cited Page: Books; Tony Russell, et al.; 2011

A resident of the Baltimore area, Rachel Kolar has been writing since 2001. Her educational research was featured at the Maryland State Department of Education Professional Schools Development Conference in 2008. Kolar holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kenyon College and a Master of Arts in teaching from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

• Cite Each Line of Poem in Your Essay Properly

How to Quote Poems in Academic Paper Using MLA Style

Many students wonder how to quote poems in academic paper . Making a reference page and quoting poetry or prose is one of the most complicated steps in essay writing. To do it in a right way, a student has to know the next several academic writing styles :

These are the most frequently met paper formats used to quote poems and novels properly. In this guide, we will provide the readers with the main tips on how to quote poems using MLA style.

The next step is to select quotations that would best contribute to the entire work. It is better to go through a perfect example of a paper dedicated to some poem once written by an expert and follow its structure. Keep in mind that your final draft must contain at least 95-97% original text. Otherwise, students risk losing points instead of earning high grades.

When and Why You Might Need to Cite a Poem

It's not difficult to understand how to quote a poem correctly but the hardest thing is to know exactly when you have to quote. Sometimes writers start to use quotes without thinking if it's useful for their essay.  

There is no direct answer on how to quote a poem because it depends on many things, including the author's style, a thesis statement, the length of the poem and essay, and some other issues.

Of course, it doesn't mean you have to give up and start thinking it's so difficult to quote a poem. Follow two great tips below to understand when you need to use a quote:

1. Use quotes only when you need to do it

When you're going to use a quote in your writing, stop before doing this and ask if it adds something useful to your paper. Your quote may provide supportive evidence to the whole essay, and this is a perfect way to use quotes. You may also quote a poem in your work to simplify your writing and explain something to readers more clearly.

Sometimes authors try to avoid quoting but it's not the best way because it can make your essay too long, difficult to read and hard to understand to people. If you want to say something behind the words, at the start try to explain your words and then go to the meaning.

2. Quote poems to support your arguments

Needless to say, you will never be able to find your argument written exactly in the poem. The author develops their own arguments and then explains why this is the right argument using quotes as supportive evidence.

As an example, when you analyze Edgar's Poe "The Raven", you can make an argument that the Raven is a symbol of the writer's sorrow over Lenore. Here you could mention the author repeats the line "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore" very often to show the sadness, grief, and feeling of a big loss. Of course, you have to feel the balance here and it's tricky sometimes. 

You can find and read good examples online to see how other authors use quotes. In general, quoting poems needs some time and practice combined with knowledge on how to do it properly.

How to Quote a Poem in MLA Style

When you need to quote a poem in MLA writing style , just use quotation marks as with any other quote. When you quote 2-3 lines, add a slash to mark the breaks and separate the slash by spaces. Check out if you use the same style, capitalization, and punctuation as in the author's poem.

"She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies; / And all that’s best of dark and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes;" (Lord Byron).

If you see a stanza between the lines of the short poem , put a double slash to show it.

"Which heaven to gaudy day denies. // One shade the more, one ray the less, / Had half impaired the nameless grace" (Lord Byron).

When you need to quote poetry with more than 3 lines, you need to make a block quote. Just start your quote on a new line (left margin should be half an inch indented). Don't use quotation marks here and place the line breaks.

She walks in beauty, like the night  Of cloudless climes and starry skies;  And all that’s best of dark and bright  Meet in her aspect and her eyes;  Thus mellowed to that tender light  Which heaven to gaudy day denies. 

When you make block quotes, please make sure the format is the same as in the original. 

The Meaning of the Poem’s Title

All the poems usually have a title and stanzas. Some poems may have subtitles. The title is a name given to a poem, and a subtitle may be added by the author as a second title that explains more about the whole poem. Usually, a subtitle is written in italics . 

When people read a poem, they can make a common mistake: they don't read a title and go straight to the poem. They may think the subtitle of the poem is also not important at all but a title and subtitle need each other. 

When you're going to read a poem, start reading its title and subtitle. Think thoroughly about what you already know about the words in the title and subtitle. Then try to make a prediction about what this poem will be about.  

General Rules of In-Text Citations for Poems

When you need to quote a poem, it's important to state the poet's name clearly to let the readers find the source in the References page. If you need to quote several poems from the one author, state the title of the poem you're citing.  

You need to know the anthology of your chosen literature as well as many other terms before you compose your essay on a particular poem. Usually, you need to write the title of the poem and its author in the text when you write a quote. If there is any ambiguity about which poem you want to quote, you should write the poet's name and title after the quote in a parenthetical citation.

Page numbers and line in parenthetical citations

You can find poems that are published with line numbers. You can use these numbers in your quotes to locate them more precisely. In the first quote, write the word "line" but write only numbers in subsequent quotes.

"But tell of days in goodness spent, / A mind at peace with all below, / A heart whose love is innocent!" (Byron, lines 16-18).

If you see there are no numbers for lines in the poem, there is no need to count them. If the poem is long and it's published over several pages, write the page number.

"Nor need I to repine / That all those charms have pass'd away, / I might have watch'd through long decay." (Byron, 23).

If you cannot find a page number (this may happen if you're reading a poem online on the website) or if the poem is short and appears on the single page, you need to include the author's name.

"That host with their banners at sunset were seen: / Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown, / That host on the morrow lay withered and strown." (Byron).

If you have already written the title of the poem and it's author while introducing the quote, and there are no page numbers and line numbers, there is no need for a parenthetical citation.

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Everything You Need to Know About Citing a Poem

Academic study, especially in literature, will likely bring you to a moment when you'll need to cite a poem in an essay. When that happens, don't worry, we have you covered. We're going to look at citing poetry in the two most common citation styles, APA and MLA, including in-text citations and those required for footnotes/endnotes and Reference or Works Cited pages.

Although commonly used for citing sources within the field of behavioral and social sciences, APA is the style guide of the American Psychological Association (APA) and can be required for essays citing poetry.

In-text citations

For an in-text citation of a poem, APA requires that you add parentheses to the end of the quote and include the last name of the author, followed by a comma and the year of publication of the source. If you are quoting a poem that is online, you can simply use the date of publication of the poem. If you found the poem in a collection or anthology, the in-text citation should include the page number in the anthology where the poem is printed.

But we loved with a love that was more than love--

I and my Annabel Lee--

With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven

Coveted her and me. (Poe, 1849)

Note that since the above quoted poem is three or more lines, it is formatted within the text like a block quote. Quotation marks are not used and the poem is written exactly as it is in the source. Also note that each line is indented and the section is double spaced, with an in-text citation placed after the final punctuation of the quote.

For poetry quotes that are a single line, this should be treated like any other quote. For example:

In his poem Annabel Lee, Poe writes "But we loved with a love that was more than love--," (1849).

Notice that the in-text citation is placed before the final punctuation and the citation only includes the date since the author (Poe) has already been mentioned.

If the poetry quote contains two lines, treat it like any other quote but include a slash mark (/) where the line breaks in the original source. For example:

The author writes, "But we loved with a love that was more than love--/I and my Annabel Lee--,"(Poe, 1849).

Reference page citation

If you found the poem in an anthology, include the poet's name, anthology publication year, poem title, editors' names, anthology name in italics, page numbers, publishing city and publisher name in the following format:

Eliot, T.S. (1970). Journey of the magi. In A. Allison and H. Barrows (Eds.), The Norton Anthology of Poetry (Third Edition) (pp. 1012-1013). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

If you found the poem on the Web, include the poet's name, year of publication, poem title, retrieval date and web address in the following format:

Poe, E., A. (1849). Annabel Lee. Retrieved, November 30, 2019, from https://poestories.com/read/annabellee

Published by the Modern Language Association (MLA), the MLA style is often used for English studies, modern languages and literatures, literary criticism, and media studies.

For an in-text citation of a poem, MLA requires that you add parentheses to the end of the quote and include the last name of the author. However, this is where the similarity to APA style ends. After stating the name of the author, you'll need to include a comma followed by line numbers of the poem quotes. If there are no line numbers in the text, include the page number where the poem was found. Note that if you go this route, there is no comma in between the author's last name and the page number.

Coveted her and me. (Poe, lines 1-4)

As with APA style, for poetry quotes that are a single line, this should be treated like any other quote. For example:

In his poem Annabel Lee, Poe writes "But we loved with a love that was more than love--," (line 1).

Notice that the in-text citation is placed before the final punctuation and the citation only includes the line number since the author (Poe) has already been mentioned.

The author writes, "But we loved with a love that was more than love--/I and my Annabel Lee--,"(Poe, lines 3-4).

For the reference page or works cited page, include the poet's name, the name of the poem in quotation marks, anthology name, names of editors, publishing company, date of publication, and page number where the poem is found. Here's an example:

Poe, Edgar Allan. "Annabelle Lee." The Norton Anthology of Poetry, edited by A. Allison and H. Barrows, W.W. Norton & Company, 1970, p. 697.

If you found the poem on a website, include the author's last name, author's first name, name of the poem in quotation marks, the name of the website, the website's URL, and the date it was accessed. Here's an example:

Poe, Edgar Allan. "Annabel Lee." Poe Stories, https://poestories.com/read/annabellee. Accessed November 30, 2019.

Frequently asked questions

How do i cite a poem in the text in mla.

An MLA in-text citation should always include the author’s last name, either in the introductory text or in parentheses after a quote .

If line numbers or page numbers are included in the original source, add these to the citation.

If you are discussing multiple poems by the same author, make sure to also mention the title of the poem (shortened if necessary). The title goes in quotation marks .

Frequently asked questions: MLA Style

In MLA style , footnotes or endnotes can be used to provide additional information that would interrupt the flow of your text.

This can be further examples or developments of ideas you only briefly discuss in the text. You can also use notes to provide additional sources or explain your citation practice.

You don’t have to use any notes at all; only use them to provide relevant information that complements your arguments or helps the reader to understand them.

No, you should use parenthetical MLA in-text citations to cite sources. Footnotes or endnotes can be used to add extra information that doesn’t fit into your main text, but they’re not needed for citations.

If you need to cite a lot of sources at the same point in the text, though, placing these citations in a note can be a good way to avoid cluttering your text.

According to MLA format guidelines, the Works Cited page(s) should look like this:

• Running head containing your surname and the page number.
• The title, Works Cited, centered and in plain text.
• List of sources alphabetized by the author’s surname.
• Left-aligned.
• Double-spaced.
• 1-inch margins.
• Hanging indent applied to all entries.

The MLA Works Cited lists every source that you cited in your paper. Each entry contains the author , title , and publication details of the source.

No, in an MLA annotated bibliography , you can write short phrases instead of full sentences to keep your annotations concise. You can still choose to use full sentences instead, though.

Use full sentences in your annotations if your instructor requires you to, and always use full sentences in the main text of your paper .

If you’re working on a group project and therefore need to list multiple authors for your paper , MLA recommends against including a normal header . Instead, create a separate title page .

On the title page, list each author on a separate line, followed by the other usual information from the header: Instructor, course name and number, and submission date. Then write the title halfway down the page, centered, and start the text of the paper itself on the next page.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

• Your instructor requires one, or
• Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

When an online source (e.g. web page , blog post) doesn’t list a publication date , you should instead list an access date .

Unlike a publication date, this appears at the end of your MLA Works Cited entry, after the URL, e.g. “A Complete Guide to MLA Style.” Scribbr , www.scribbr.com/category/mla/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2021 .

For offline sources with no publication date shown, don’t use an access date—just leave out the date.

The level of detail you provide in a publication date in your Works Cited list depends on the type of source and the information available. Generally, follow the lead of the source—if it gives the full date, give the full date; if it gives just the year, so should you.

Books usually list the year, whereas web pages tend to give a full date. For journal articles , give the year, month and year, or season and year, depending on what information is available. Check our citation examples if you’re unsure about a particular source type.

In an MLA Works Cited list , the names of months with five or more letters are abbreviated to the first three letters, followed by a period. For example, abbreviate Feb., Mar., Apr., but not June, July.

In the main text, month names should never be abbreviated.

In your MLA Works Cited list , dates are always written in day-month-year order, with the month abbreviated if it’s five or more letters long, e.g. 5 Mar. 2018.

In the main text, you’re free to use either day-month-year or month-day-year order, as long as you use one or the other consistently. Don’t abbreviate months in the main text, and use numerals for dates, e.g. 5 March 2018 or March 5, 2018.

In most standard dictionaries , no author is given for either the overall dictionary or the individual entries, so no author should be listed in your MLA citations.

Instead, start your Works Cited entry and your MLA in-text citation with the title of the entry you’re citing (i.e. the word that’s being defined), in quotation marks.

If you cite a specialist dictionary that does list an author and/or overall editor, these should be listed in the same way as they would for other citations of books or book chapters .

Some source types, such as books and journal articles , may contain footnotes (or endnotes) with additional information. The following rules apply when citing information from a note in an MLA in-text citation :

• To cite information from a single numbered note, write “n” after the page number, and then write the note number, e.g. (Smith 105n2)
• To cite information from multiple numbered notes, write “nn” and include a range, e.g. (Smith 77nn1–2)
• To cite information from an unnumbered note, write “un” after the page number, with a space in between, e.g. (Jones 250 un)

If you cite multiple Shakespeare plays throughout your paper, the MLA in-text citation begins with an abbreviated version of the title (as shown here ), e.g. ( Oth. 1.2.4). Each play should have its own  Works Cited entry (even if they all come from the same collection).

If you cite only one Shakespeare play in your paper, you should include a Works Cited entry for that play, and your in-text citations should start with the author’s name , e.g. (Shakespeare 1.1.4).

No, do not use page numbers in your MLA in-text citations of Shakespeare plays . Instead, specify the act, scene, and line numbers of the quoted material, separated by periods, e.g. (Shakespeare 3.2.20–25).

This makes it easier for the reader to find the relevant passage in any edition of the text.

When an article (e.g. in a newspaper ) appears on non-consecutive pages (e.g. starting on page 1 and continuing on page 6), you should use “pp.” in your Works Cited entry, since it’s on multiple pages, but MLA recommends just listing the first page followed by a plus sign, e.g. pp. 1+.

In an MLA style Works Cited entry for a newspaper , you can cite a local newspaper in the same way as you would a national one, except that you may have to add the name of the city in square brackets to clarify what newspaper you mean, e.g. The Gazette [Montreal].

Do not add the city name in brackets if it’s already part of the newspaper’s name, e.g. Dallas Observer .

MLA doesn’t require you to list an author for a TV show . If your citation doesn’t focus on a particular contributor, just start your Works Cited entry with the title of the episode or series, and use this (shortened if necessary) in your MLA in-text citation .

If you focus on a particular contributor (e.g. the writer or director, a particular actor), you can list them in the author position , along with a label identifying their role.

It’s standard to list the podcast’s host in the author position , accompanied by the label “host,” in an MLA Works Cited entry. It’s sometimes more appropriate to use the label “narrator,” when the podcast just tells a story without any guests.

If your citation of the podcast focuses more on the contribution of someone else (e.g. a guest, the producer), they can be listed in the author position instead, with an appropriate label.

MLA recommends citing the original source wherever possible, rather than the source in which it is quoted or reproduced.

If this isn’t possible, cite the secondary source and use “qtd. in” (quoted in) in your MLA in-text citation . For example: (qtd. in Smith 233)

If a source is reproduced in full within another source (e.g. an image within a PowerPoint  or a poem in an article ), give details of the original source first, then include details of the secondary source as a container. For example:

When you want to cite a PowerPoint or lecture notes from a lecture you viewed in person in MLA , check whether they can also be accessed online ; if so, this is the best version to cite, as it allows the reader to access the source.

If the material is not available online, use the details of where and when the presentation took place.

In an MLA song citation , you need to give some sort of container to indicate how you accessed the song. If this is a physical or downloaded album, the Works Cited entry should list the album name, distributor, year, and format.

However, if you listened to the song on a streaming service, you can just list the site as a container, including a URL. In this case, including the album details is optional; you may add this information if it is relevant to your discussion or if it will help the reader access the song.

When citing a song in MLA style , the author is usually the main artist or group that released the song.

However, if your discussion focuses on the contributions of a specific performer, e.g. a guitarist or singer, you may list them as author, even if they are not the main artist. If you’re discussing the lyrics or composition, you may cite the songwriter or composer rather than a performer.

When a source has no title , this part of your MLA reference is replaced with a description of the source, in plain text (no italics or quotation marks, sentence-case capitalization).

Whenever you refer to an image created by someone else in your text, you should include a citation leading the reader to the image you’re discussing.

If you include the image directly in your text as a figure , the details of the source appear in the figure’s caption. If you don’t, just include an MLA in-text citation wherever you mention the image, and an entry in the Works Cited list giving full details.

In MLA Style , you should cite a specific chapter or work within a book in two situations:

• When each of the book’s chapters is written by a different author.
• When the book is a collection of self-contained works (such as poems , plays , or short stories ), even if they are all written by the same author.

If you cite multiple chapters or works from the same book, include a separate Works Cited entry for each chapter.

If a source has no author, start the MLA Works Cited entry with the source title . Use a shortened version of the title in your MLA in-text citation .

If a source has no page numbers, you can use an alternative locator (e.g. a chapter number, or a timestamp for a video or audio source) to identify the relevant passage in your in-text citation. If the source has no numbered divisions, cite only the author’s name (or the title).

If you already named the author or title in your sentence, and there is no locator available, you don’t need a parenthetical citation:

• Rajaram  argues that representations of migration are shaped by “cultural, political, and ideological interests.”
• The homepage of The Correspondent describes it as “a movement for radically different news.”

If a source has two authors, name both authors in your MLA in-text citation and Works Cited entry. If there are three or more authors, name only the first author, followed by et al.

You must include an MLA in-text citation every time you quote or paraphrase from a source (e.g. a book , movie , website , or article ).

MLA Style  is the second most used citation style (after APA ). It is mainly used by students and researchers in humanities fields such as literature, languages, and philosophy.

If information about your source is not available, you can either leave it out of the MLA citation or replace it with something else, depending on the type of information.

• No author : Start with the source title.
• No title : Provide a description of the source.
• No date : Provide an access date for online sources; omit for other sources.

A standard MLA Works Cited entry  is structured as follows:

Only include information that is available for and relevant to your source.

Yes. MLA style uses title case, which means that all principal words (nouns, pronouns , verbs, adjectives , adverbs , and some conjunctions ) are capitalized.

This applies to titles of sources as well as the title of, and subheadings in, your paper. Use MLA capitalization style even when the original source title uses different capitalization .

The title of an article is not italicized in MLA style , but placed in quotation marks. This applies to articles from journals , newspapers , websites , or any other publication. Use italics for the title of the source where the article was published. For example:

Use the same formatting in the Works Cited entry and when referring to the article in the text itself.

In MLA style , book titles appear in italics, with all major words capitalized. If there is a subtitle, separate it from the main title with a colon and a space (even if no colon appears in the source). For example:

The format is the same in the Works Cited list and in the text itself. However, when you mention the book title in the text, you don’t have to include the subtitle.

The title of a part of a book—such as a chapter, or a short story or poem in a collection—is not italicized, but instead placed in quotation marks.

In MLA style citations , format a DOI as a link, including “https://doi.org/” at the start and then the unique numerical code of the article.

DOIs are used mainly when citing journal articles in MLA .

The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition , published in 2021.

This quick guide to MLA style  explains the latest guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers according to MLA.

The fastest and most accurate way to create MLA citations is by using Scribbr’s MLA Citation Generator .

Search by book title, page URL, or journal DOI to automatically generate flawless citations, or cite manually using the simple citation forms.

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman , since it’s easy to read and installed on every computer. Other standard fonts such as Arial or Georgia are also acceptable. If in doubt, check with your supervisor which font you should be using.

To create a correctly formatted block quote in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:

• Hit Enter at the beginning and end of the quote.
• Highlight the quote and select the Layout menu.
• On the Indent tab, change the left indent to 0.5″.

Do not put quotation marks around the quote, and make sure to include an MLA in-text citation after the period at the end.

To format a block quote in MLA:

• Introduce the quote with a colon and set it on a new line.
• Indent the whole quote 0.5 inches from the left margin.
• Place the MLA in-text citation after the period at the end of the block quote.

Then continue your text on a new line (not indented).

In MLA style , if you quote more than four lines from a source, use MLA block quote formatting .

If you are quoting poetry , use block quote formatting for any quote longer than three lines.

In the list of Works Cited , start with the poet’s name and the poem’s title in quotation marks. The rest of the citation depends on where the poem was published.

If you read the poem in a book or anthology, follow the format of an MLA book chapter citation . If you accessed the poem online, follow the format of an MLA website citation .

Only use line numbers in an MLA in-text citation if the lines are numbered in the original source. If so, write “lines” in the first citation of the poem , and only the numbers in subsequent citations.

If there are no line numbers in the source, you can use page numbers instead. If the poem appears on only one page of a book (or on a website ), don’t include a number in the citation.

To quote poetry in MLA style , introduce the quote and use quotation marks as you would for any other source quotation .

If the quote includes line breaks, mark these using a forward slash with a space on either side. Use two slashes to indicate a stanza break.

If the quote is longer than three lines, set them off from the main text as an MLA block quote . Reproduce the line breaks, punctuation, and formatting of the original.

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Suggested Ways to Introduce Quotations

When you quote another writer's words, it's best to introduce or contextualize the quote. 

How To Quote In An Essay?

To introduce a quote in an essay, don't forget to include author's last name and page number (MLA) or author, date, and page number (APA) in your citation. Shown below are some possible ways to introduce quotations. The examples use MLA format.

Use A Full Sentence Followed by A Colon To Introduce A Quotation

• The setting emphasizes deception: "Nothing is as it appears" (Smith 1).
• Piercy ends the poem on an ironic note: "To every woman a happy ending" (25).

Begin A Sentence with Your Own Words, Then Complete It with Quoted Words

Note that in the second example below, a slash with a space on either side ( / ) marks a line break in the original poem.

• Hamlet's task is to avenge a "foul and most unnatural murder" (Shakespeare 925).
• The speaker is mystified by her sleeping baby, whose "moth-breath / flickers among the flat pink roses" (Plath 17).

Use An Introductory Phrase Naming The Source, Followed By A Comma to Quote A Critic or Researcher

Note that the first letter after the quotation marks should be upper case. According to MLA guidelines, if you change the case of a letter from the original, you must indicate this with brackets. APA format doesn't require brackets.

• According to Smith, "[W]riting is fun" (215).
• In Smith's words, " . . .
• In Smith's view, " . . .

Use A Descriptive Verb, Followed by A Comma To Introduce A Critic's Words

Avoid using says unless the words were originally spoken aloud, for instance, during an interview.

• Smith states, "This book is terrific" (102).
• Smith remarks, " . . .
• Smith writes, " . . .
• Smith notes, " . . .
• Smith comments, " . . .
• Smith observes, " . . .
• Smith concludes, " . . .
• Smith reports, " . . .
• Smith maintains, " . . .
• Smith adds, " . . .

Don't Follow It with A Comma If Your Lead into The Quotation Ends in That or As

The first letter of the quotation should be lower case.

• Smith points out that "millions of students would like to burn this book" (53).
• Smith emphasizes that " . . .
• Smith interprets the hand washing in MacBeth as "an attempt at absolution" (106).
• Smith describes the novel as "a celebration of human experience" (233).

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It doesn’t take a medal to make a lasting memory.

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Success and failure. Exhilaration and agony. Gold, silver and bronze.

The Olympics will always turn on who won and who lost, how high and how fast and how far. But they linger in our minds long after they end for moments that might have little to do with the actual competitions.

Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles came up with the plan. They had both wanted to be on the top step of the medal stand after the final event of the women’s gymnastics competition, the floor exercise. But Biles, the favorite, had made a few mistakes, and Chiles had made a few more, so they instead became bookends to the true headliner: Rebeca Andrade of Brazil. And so a plan was hatched.

After Chiles accepted her bronze medal ( temporarily, it turned out ) and Biles her silver, Andrade was introduced as the Olympic champion. As she approached the podium — completing the first all-Black podium in Olympic gymnastics history — Biles and Chiles turned to Andrade, dropped to one knee and bowed. Afterward, they called her a queen. — JULIET MACUR

More Cowbell

After Bobby Finke won the 1,500-meter freestyle in world-record time — preserving American men’s 120-year streak of winning at least one individual swimming gold at the Olympic Games — the NBC cameras panned to a particularly excited fan. She screamed. She pumped her fists. She clanged her cowbell.

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