In MLA style, the title of a poem is enclosed in quotation marks when referenced in-text or in a bibliography. This rule applies regardless of whether the poem appears in a collection, anthology, or standalone publication.
MLA (Modern Language Association) style governs academic writing in the humanities, particularly literature and language studies. According to the *MLA Handbook* (9th edition), titles of shorter works-such as poems, short stories, and essays-are placed in quotation marks. Titles of longer works, like books, plays, and magazines, are italicized. Poems fall into the former category.
For example, when citing "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost in a paper, you write: "The Road Not Taken" (Frost 45). The quotation marks signal that the work is brief and standalone. This standard prevents confusion between different types of literary works and ensures consistency across academic writing.
Quotation marks are used for short works, such as individual poems, chapters, or articles. Italics are reserved for longer works, including books, films, and periodicals. A poem published within a book or anthology still uses quotation marks, even if the larger work is italicized.
Consider this citation: "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats appears in *The Oxford Book of English Verse*. The poem's title is in quotation marks, while the anthology's title is italicized. This distinction maintains clarity about which element is the smaller work.
The *MLA Handbook* states: "Titles of shorter works are enclosed in quotation marks; titles of longer works are italicized" (MLA 67). This rule applies consistently across all disciplines using MLA format, including English, comparative literature, and cultural studies.
A frequent error is italicizing a poem's title, especially when it appears in a digital database or online archive. Some databases automatically italicize titles, but writers must override this formatting when submitting papers in MLA style. Always use quotation marks for poems.
Another mistake is omitting quotation marks entirely, especially in informal writing. While casual contexts may allow flexibility, academic submissions require strict adherence to MLA standards. Failure to include quotation marks can result in point deductions during grading.
Some assume that all poetry titles are capitalized in title case. However, MLA requires preserving the original capitalization of the title unless it's a formal citation. For example, if a poem is titled "i carry your heart with me," the original lowercase letters should be retained in the citation.
| Work Type | MLA Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Poem | Quotation marks | "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou |
| Short story | Quotation marks | "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson |
| Book | Italics | *Pride and Prejudice* by Jane Austen |
| Play | Italics | *Hamlet* by William Shakespeare |
| Magazine | Italics | *The New Yorker* |
Suppose you're analyzing "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas. Your sentence reads: "Thomas urges resistance in the face of death, as seen in the lines 'Do not go gentle into that good night'" (Thomas 12).
Here, the poem's title is in quotation marks. The line is quoted within the sentence and cited with the page number. The quotation marks around the title remain even though the quote is embedded in prose. This preserves the hierarchical structure of the citation.
I once reviewed a student paper where the title was italicized, leading to a grade reduction. The instructor noted, "Poems are not books. Use quotation marks." This reflects the consistent enforcement of MLA rules in academic settings.
Many confuse poem titles with play or film titles. Plays and films are longer works and thus italicized. For example, *Romeo and Juliet* is italicized, but "A Summer's Night's Dream" (a poem by a lesser-known author) would be in quotation marks.
Another confusion arises with titles that appear in both formats. For instance, a poem titled "The Sun Also Rises" might be mistaken for Ernest Hemingway's novel. But since the poem is shorter and standalone, it remains in quotation marks. The context determines the correct formatting.
Even when a poem is titled after a famous book or film, the formatting stays the same. "The Great Gatsby" as a poem title is still "The Great Gatsby" in quotation marks, not italicized.
MLA does not require changing the capitalization of a poem's title to title case. If the original title uses lowercase or mixed case, preserve it. For example, "i have a dream" by Martin Luther King Jr. (a spoken-word piece often treated as poetic) should be cited as "i have a dream" in quotation marks.
This rule protects the integrity of the author's intent. Changing capitalization alters the tone or emphasis. The *MLA Handbook* emphasizes fidelity to the original text: "Authors' choices in spelling, capitalization, and punctuation should be preserved unless they are erroneous" (MLA 72).
Always verify your formatting against the official *MLA Handbook* or consult your institution's writing center. Consistency matters in scholarly communication.
Understanding how to punctuate the title of a poem correctly ensures accuracy in academic writing. preparing a presentation, follow MLA guidelines precisely. This attention to detail strengthens your credibility and avoids common errors.