Citing a poem in APA style requires careful consideration of the poem’s author, title, publication information, and page numbers. The author’s name appears first, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. The poem’s title is then presented in italics, while the publication information includes the book or journal title, volume number, and issue number (if applicable). Finally, the page numbers on which the poem appears are listed.
Citation Guide for Poetry in APA Style
In APA style, citing a poem follows specific guidelines to ensure consistency and accuracy in academic writing. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the complexities of poetry citation:
Basic Format
The basic format for citing a poem in APA style includes:
- Author’s last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Title of poem (In Title of book or anthology, pp. page numbers). Publisher.
In-Text Citation
When referencing a poem within the text, use the following format:
- (Author’s last name, year, p. page number)
For example: (Frost, 1923, p. 10)
Full Reference List Format
- Book of Poetry:
Frost, R. (1923). _New Hampshire._ Henry Holt and Company.
- Anthology with Multiple Authors:
Dickinson, E. (1890). I'm nobody! Who are you? (In _Poems: first series_, pp. 1-2). Roberts Brothers.
- Online Poem from a Database:
Eliot, T. S. (1922). The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Retrieved from Poetry Foundation website: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47363/the-love-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock
- Online Poem from a Personal Website:
Plath, S. (n.d.). Daddy. Retrieved from Sylvia Plath website: https://www.sylviaplath.com/poems/daddy
Table: Poem Citation Elements
| Element | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Author’s name | Last name, first initial. | Frost, R. |
| Year of publication | Year the poem was published. | 1923 |
| Title of poem | Title of the poem in italics. | New Hampshire |
| Title of book or anthology | Title of the book or anthology in italics, if applicable. | Poems: first series |
| Page numbers | Pages on which the poem appears, if applicable. | pp. 1-2 |
| Publisher | Publisher of the book or anthology, if applicable. | Henry Holt and Company |
| URL | URL for online poems retrieved from databases or personal websites. | https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47363/the-love-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock |
Question 1:
How is the title of a poem formatted in an APA citation?
Answer:
In an APA citation, the title of a poem is italicized.
Question 2:
Where is the publication date of a poem placed in an APA citation?
Answer:
In an APA citation, the publication date of a poem is placed in parentheses after the title.
Question 3:
How is the author’s name formatted in an APA citation of a poem?
Answer:
In an APA citation, the author’s name is formatted with the last name first, followed by a comma and the initials of the first and middle names.
Alright folks, that’s about all you need to know about citing poems using APA style. Pretty easy, right? I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you don’t need to do it too often. But hey, if you ever find yourself having to reference a poem in the future, you’ll know exactly what to do. Cool beans. Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to drop back in again sometime if you need a refresher or have any other writing-related questions. I’m always happy to help!