how to cite anthology mla: exploring the nuances of referencing literary collections
How to Cite Anthology MLA: A Comprehensive Guide to Literary Collections
When it comes to citing an anthology in the MLA (Modern Language Association) style, one must consider several factors that ensure academic integrity and proper attribution. The MLA style guide provides specific guidelines for formatting citations that include anthologies, ensuring that the reader can easily locate the source material. This article aims to explore these nuances in detail, offering practical advice on how to properly cite an anthology according to MLA standards.
Firstly, let’s address the basic structure of an MLA citation for an anthology. According to the MLA Handbook, every citation should begin with the author(s) of the anthology, followed by the title of the anthology, the publisher, the publication date, and the page numbers where the specific text appears. Here is a typical format:
Author(s), Title of Anthology, Publisher, Publication Date, Page Numbers
For instance, if you were to cite an anthology titled “The Oxford Book of American Poetry,” edited by Donald Hall, published by Oxford University Press in 2004, and your essay refers to a poem on page 35, your citation would look like this:
Hall, Donald, ed. The Oxford Book of American Poetry. Oxford University Press, 2004. 35.
However, things become more complex when dealing with anthologies that contain multiple authors or when the anthology itself is part of a larger work. In such cases, additional information is required to distinguish between different contributors.
Multiple Authors
When an anthology includes multiple authors, the citation becomes slightly more elaborate. The format remains similar, but you need to indicate which author’s work is being cited. Here’s an example:
Author(s), Title of Anthology, Volume Number, Series Title, Editor(s), Publisher, Publication Date, Page Numbers
For instance, if you refer to a poem by Robert Frost in an anthology edited by Edward Connery Lathem, you might write:
Lathem, Edward Connery, ed. Robert Frost: Complete Poems and Collected Prose. 1st ed. Houghton Mifflin, 1967. 35.
Part of a Larger Work
If the anthology is part of a larger collection, such as a book series or a multi-volume set, you must include this information. For example:
Author(s), Title of Anthology, Volume Number, Series Title, Editor(s), Publisher, Publication Date, Page Numbers
Suppose you’re referring to a short story in an anthology called “Best American Short Stories” from the 1990s. The citation would look like this:
Best American Short Stories. Ed. Donald Pizer. Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Vol. 1. 123.
In cases where the anthology is a single volume within a larger series, you can simply omit the volume number and series title:
Author(s), Title of Anthology, Editor(s), Publisher, Publication Date, Page Numbers
For example:
The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. 8th ed. W.W. Norton, 2000. 35.
Specific Editions and Translations
Sometimes, an anthology may have different editions or translations. If you are citing a specific edition or translation, you should include this information in your citation. For instance:
Author(s), Title of Anthology, Edition Number, Translator(s), Publisher, Publication Date, Page Numbers
For example:
The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. 7th ed. W.W. Norton, 2008. Translated by John Smith. 35.
Conclusion
Citing an anthology in MLA style requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines. By following these rules, writers can maintain academic integrity and provide readers with accurate references. Whether dealing with multiple authors, part of a larger work, or specific editions and translations, the key is to provide enough information to help the reader locate the exact source material.
Related Questions
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Q: What if the anthology doesn’t have an editor listed?
- A: If there is no editor listed for the anthology, you can use the name of the publisher as the author. For example: The Best American Essays. Publisher, Year.
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Q: How do I cite an anthology that has been reprinted?
- A: If the anthology has been reprinted, you should specify the reprinting information. For example: The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. 7th ed. W.W. Norton, 2008. Reprinted from the 5th ed., 1993.
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Q: Can I cite an anthology without specifying the page numbers if I am only quoting a few lines?
- A: Yes, you can still provide the page range if you are quoting a small portion of the text. For example: The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. 7th ed. W.W. Norton, 2008. 35-36.