Cite a Poem Perfectly in APA Style

When it comes to citing poetry in APA style, a methodical approach is key to ensuring the accuracy and credibility of your references. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a detailed, step-by-step process to properly cite poetry in your academic works, enabling you to effortlessly integrate poetic references into your APA-style manuscripts.

Step-by-Step Guide to APA Poetry Citation

Step 1: Identify the Basic Citation Elements

The first step in citing poetry is to gather the essential information about the poem. This typically includes the poet’s name, the title of the poem, the year of publication, and the source from which you accessed the poem.

Step 2: Format the In-Text Citation

In-text citations for poetry in APA style follow a straightforward format. When quoting directly from a poem, include the author’s surname, the year of publication, and the line number(s) in parentheses after the quote. For example:

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?” (Shakespeare, 1597, line 34)

If you are paraphrasing or referring to the poem as a whole, you can simply include the author’s surname and year in parentheses:

As Shakespeare (1597) notes, love can be a complex and multifaceted emotion.

Step 3: Structure the Reference List Entry

The reference list entry for a poem in APA style will vary slightly depending on whether the poem is part of a collection or if it is a standalone poem.

Poem from a Collection:

Format:

Author Lastname, First Initial. (Year). Poem title. In Editor First Initial. Lastname (Ed.), Book title (pp. Page range). Publisher.

Example:

Wordsworth, W. (1807). I wandered lonely as a cloud. In S. Gilbert (Ed.), The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth (pp. 215-217). Oxford University Press.

Standalone Poem:

Format:

Author Lastname, First Initial. (Year). Poem title. Publisher.

Example:

Dickinson, E. (1862). Because I could not stop for Death. Harper & Brothers.

Step 4: Handle Special Cases

There may be instances where the citation process for poetry deviates from the standard format. Here are some special cases to consider:

• Unpublished Poems: For unpublished poems, cite the poet’s name, the date the poem was written or last modified, the title of the poem, and the source (e.g., personal archive, manuscript collection).

• Poems with Multiple Authors: If a poem has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the poem, separated by commas.

• Poems without a Known Year of Publication: If the year of publication is unknown, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (for “no date”) in place of the year.

Tips for Accurate APA Poetry Citation

• Verify the Poem’s Title: Always double-check the title of the poem to ensure it is accurate. Some poems have very similar titles, so precision is vital.

• Cite the Source: If you are citing a poem from an online source, include the URL or DOI in your reference list entry.

• Use Quotation Marks for Short Poems: If the poem you are citing is short (usually fewer than 40 words), enclose the poem title in quotation marks in both the in-text citation and the reference list entry.

• Provide Line Numbers: Whenever possible, provide line numbers in your in-text citations to help readers locate the quoted passage within the poem.

APA Style and the Art of Poetry

Citing poetry in APA style is not just about adhering to a set of rules; it’s about honoring the art of poetry and giving proper credit to the poets who craft these works of art. With this comprehensive guide, you can ensure that your citations are accurate, credible, and true to the spirit of APA style.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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            <h3>What if I'm citing a poem from an anthology with multiple authors and editors?</h3>
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            <p>In such cases, list the authors of the poem, followed by the editor(s) of the anthology. For example: Smith, J., Jones, A., & Brown, M. (Eds.). (2022). *The Anthology of Modern Poetry*. University Press.</p>
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            <h3>Can I use page numbers instead of line numbers for long poems?</h3>
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            <p>Yes, for longer poems or those with complex line structures, it is acceptable to use page numbers instead of line numbers. Just ensure you are consistent throughout your work.</p>
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            <h3>How do I handle citing a poem that has been translated from another language?</h3>
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            <p>In the reference list, include both the original poet's name and the translator's name. For example: Neruda, P., & Haight, S. (Trans.). (2010). *The Captain's Verses*. Penguin Classics.</p>
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