๐ Citing Poetry in ELA: A Comprehensive Guide
Citing poetry properly in your English Language Arts (ELA) assignments demonstrates academic honesty, supports your analysis, and gives credit to the poet's original work. It might seem a bit daunting at first, but with a few key guidelines, you'll master the art of citing poetry in no time! This guide will cover the core principles and provide clear examples to help you succeed.
๐ History and Background
The importance of citation has grown alongside the increasing availability and accessibility of literary works. Originally a concern primarily for scholars, proper attribution has become essential for all students. Failing to cite sources, even unintentionally, can be considered plagiarism, which has serious academic consequences.
๐ Key Principles for Citing Poetry
- ๐๏ธ Author's Name: Always include the poet's name, typically in your introductory sentence or parenthetical citation.
- ๐ Title of Poem: Enclose the poem's title in quotation marks (e.g., "The Road Not Taken"). For very long poems published as books (like *The Odyssey*), italicize the title.
- ๐ Source Information: Provide information about where you found the poem (e.g., anthology title, website name, journal).
- โ๏ธ Line Numbers (if applicable): When quoting specific lines, include the line numbers in your parenthetical citation.
๐งฑ Basic Citation Formats
The two most common citation formats are MLA (Modern Language Association) and Chicago. Your teacher will usually specify which format to use. Here's a breakdown of some common scenarios:
๐ Citing a Single Line
When quoting a single line of poetry, incorporate it into your sentence and use quotation marks.
Example: Wordsworth describes a field of flowers, noting "They flash upon that inward eye" (22).
๐ Citing Two or Three Lines
When quoting two or three lines of poetry, separate the lines with a slash (/) and maintain the original capitalization. Add a space before and after the slash.
Example: As Eliot writes, "April is the cruellest month, breeding / Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing / Memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain" (1-3).
๐ Citing Four or More Lines (Block Quotation)
When quoting four or more lines of poetry, use a block quotation. Indent the entire quotation one inch from the left margin. Omit quotation marks. Maintain the original line breaks. The parenthetical citation goes *after* the period.
Example:
Iโve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
(Hughes 1-3)
๐ก Tips and Tricks
- ๐ Accuracy is Key: Double-check your citations to ensure accuracy. Incorrect line numbers or inaccurate source information can undermine your credibility.
- โ๏ธ Use Ellipses: If you omit words from a quotation, use ellipses (...) to indicate the omission.
- ๐ Maintain Original Formatting: Preserve the poem's original line breaks and indentation.
โ๏ธ Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples using MLA format:
Example 1: Citing a Single Line
In "The Raven," Poe writes of a "grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore" (8).
Example 2: Citing Multiple Lines
Shakespeare asks a profound question in *Hamlet*: "To be, or not to be: that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" (3.1.56-58).
๐งฎ Practice Quiz
Let's test your understanding. How would you correctly cite the following lines from Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" in MLA format, assuming they appear on lines 16-20?
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
Answer:
(Frost 16-20)
๐ Conclusion
Mastering the art of citing poetry elevates your analytical skills and demonstrates respect for the original author. By following these guidelines, you'll ensure academic integrity and enhance the credibility of your writing. Keep practicing, and you'll become a citation pro in no time!