Citing a poem in APA style requires attention to detail, especially when dealing with different formats such as print, online, or anthologies. Below is a comprehensive guide to citing a poem in APA format, including various scenarios and expert insights to ensure accuracy and adherence to the 7th edition guidelines.
Citing a Poem in APA Style
1. Poem from a Print Anthology
When citing a poem from a printed anthology, include the poet’s name, publication year, poem title, anthology title (in italics), editor’s name, page range, and publisher location.
Format:
Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem. In Editor’s First Initial. Last Name (Ed.), Title of anthology (pp. page range). Publisher.
Example:
Dickinson, E. (1924). Because I could not stop for Death. In M. Johnson (Ed.), The complete poems of Emily Dickinson (pp. 345–346). Little, Brown, and Company.
2. Poem from an Online Anthology or Website
For poems accessed online, include the poet’s name, publication year (if available), poem title, website name (in italics), and URL.
Format:
Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem. Website Name. https://doi.org/xxxx or https://www.website.com
Example:
Frost, R. (1923). The Road Not Taken. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken
3. Poem from a Single-Author Poetry Book
If the poem is from a book by the same author, cite the entire book rather than individual poems.
Format:
Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
Example:
Shakespeare, W. (2009). Sonnets. Oxford University Press.
4. Poem Without a Date or Publisher
If the publication date or publisher is unknown, use “n.d.” (no date) and omit the publisher.
Format:
Last Name, First Initial. (n.d.). Title of poem.
Example:
Wordsworth, W. (n.d.). I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.
In-Text Citations for Poems
One Author: Use the author’s last name and the poem’s line numbers (if available).
Example: (Dickinson, 1924, lines 1–2)No Line Numbers: Use a shortened version of the poem’s title in quotation marks.
Example: (”The Road Not Taken,” 1923)Multiple Authors: Include both authors’ last names.
Example: (Shelley & Keats, 1820)
Special Cases
Poem in a Translated Anthology
Include the translator’s name after the poem title.
Format:
Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem (Translator’s First Initial. Last Name, Trans.). In Editor’s First Initial. Last Name (Ed.), Title of anthology (pp. page range). Publisher.
Example:
Dante Alighieri. (2003). Inferno (R. Durling, Trans.). In R. Durling (Ed.), The divine comedy (Vol. 1, pp. 1–100). Oxford University Press.
Poem in a Database (e.g., JSTOR, EBSCO)
Include the database name and DOI or URL.
Format:
Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem. Database Name, https://doi.org/xxxx
Example:
Hughes, L. (1951). Harlem. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307⁄472348
FAQ Section
How do I cite a poem with no author?
+Start with the poem’s title in italics, followed by the publication year (if available) and source information. Example: The Raven. (1845). In *American Poetry Anthology* (pp. 56–57). Classic Publishers.
What if the poem is part of a larger work (e.g., a novel)?
+Cite the larger work and specify the poem’s location within it. Example: Brontë, E. (1847). *Jane Eyre* (Chapter 12, "The Gypsy’s Song"). Penguin Classics.
How do I cite a poem from a literary journal?
+Treat it like a journal article: Last Name, First Initial. (Year). *Title of poem*. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), page range. Example: Eliot, T. S. (1922). *The Waste Land*. The Criterion, 1(1), 23–45.
Can I cite a poem from a social media post?
+Yes, include the author’s username (if available), post date, poem title, platform, and URL. Example: @Lena_Poet. (2023, August 15). *Morning Dew*. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/123456789/
Conclusion
Citing a poem in APA style requires careful attention to the source type, publication details, and formatting. Whether you’re referencing a classic anthology or a modern online platform, consistency and accuracy are key. Use the examples and guidelines above to ensure your citations are both scholarly and compliant with APA standards.
By mastering APA citation for poems, you’ll elevate the quality of your academic work and contribute to a more transparent scholarly dialogue.
