5 Tips to Cite a Poem in APA Style

Citing a poem in APA style can seem daunting, but with a clear understanding of the guidelines, it becomes a straightforward process. Whether you’re referencing a poem from an anthology, a standalone book, or an online source, APA style provides specific rules to ensure your citations are accurate and consistent. Here are five essential tips to help you cite a poem effectively in APA style.

1. Identify the Correct Citation Structure

The structure of your citation depends on the source of the poem. APA style requires different elements for poems found in anthologies, standalone books, or online platforms. Here’s a breakdown:

• Poem in an Anthology:
  Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem. In Editor’s First Initial. Last Name (Ed.), Title of anthology (pp. page range). Publisher.
  Example: Smith, J. (2015). The Red Wheelbarrow. In D. Jones (Ed.), Modern American Poetry (pp. 45-46). Penguin Books.

• Standalone Poem Collection:
  Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem collection. Publisher.
  Example: Dickinson, E. (1998). The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. Little, Brown and Company.

• Online Poem:
  Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem. Website Name. URL
  Example: Frost, R. (1923). Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/stopping-by-woods-on-a-snowy-evening

2. Pay Attention to Formatting Details

APA style has specific formatting requirements for citations. Ensure you follow these rules meticulously:

• Italics: Titles of anthologies and standalone poem collections should be italicized. Poem titles, however, are placed in quotation marks.
  
• Punctuation: Use commas and periods consistently as per APA guidelines. For example, after the author’s name, place a period before the year in parentheses.
  
• Page Numbers: For poems in anthologies, include the page range where the poem appears.
  

3. Handle Multiple Authors or Editors Correctly

If the poem is part of an anthology with multiple editors or if the poem itself has multiple authors, follow these guidelines:

• Multiple Editors: List all editors’ names in the citation, separated by commas.
  
• Multiple Authors: Include all authors’ names in the citation, using an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
  

Example with Multiple Editors:
Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of poem. In Editor’s First Initial. Last Name, Editor’s First Initial. Last Name, & Editor’s First Initial. Last Name (Eds.), Title of anthology (pp. page range). Publisher.

4. Cite Indirect Sources Carefully

If you’re referencing a poem that is quoted or discussed in another source (e.g., a critical essay), you’ll need to cite it as an indirect source. Here’s how:

• Indirect Citation:
  Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of secondary source. Journal/Book Title, Volume(Issue), page range.
  Example: Johnson, M. (2020). Analyzing Frost’s poetry. Literary Review, 45(2), 112-120.
  

In your text, mention the original poem and the secondary source:
“Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (as cited in Johnson, 2020) explores themes of solitude and duty.”

5. Use In-Text Citations Appropriately

In-text citations are crucial for acknowledging the poem within your writing. Follow these rules:

• Author-Date Format: Place the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses.
  Example: (Dickinson, 1890).
  
• Direct Quotes: Include the page number or line number if available.
  Example: (Frost, 1923, lines 1-2).
  
• No Author: Use the first few words of the poem title (in quotation marks) and the year.
  Example: (“The Red Wheelbarrow,” 2015).
  

By following these five tips, you’ll be able to cite poems in APA style with confidence and accuracy. Remember, proper citation not only gives credit to the original creator but also enhances the credibility of your work.