How do I cite a poem in ACS?

To cite a poem in ACS (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What does the in-text citation look like for a poem in ACS?

In ACS, the in-text citation for the example above is 1

How to Cite a Poem in ACS (4th edition)

Learn how to cite poems, verse, and poetry from anthologies or collections in ACS format (4th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

ACS Reference List Format

Here is the standard ACS format for citing a poem in your reference list:

ACS Example for a Poem

A complete ACS reference for a poem, formatted by the official ACS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

(1) Whitcombe, I. Reading Room at Dusk. In Collected Poems, 1990-2010; Pratt, O., Ed.; Lakeshore Press: Chicago, 2012; pp 112–113.

Matching in-text citation: 1

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your poem.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the ACS (4th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match ACS requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: acs.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a poem in ACS?: To cite a poem in ACS (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the ACS format for a poem citation?: The ACS format for a poem is: (1) Whitcombe, I. Reading Room at Dusk. In Collected Poems, 1990-2010; Pratt, O., Ed.; Lakeshore Press: Chicago, 2012; pp 112–113.
What does the in-text citation look like for a poem in ACS?: In ACS, the in-text citation for the example above is 1