How do I cite a poem in APSA?

To cite a poem in APSA (current), 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 APSA?

In APSA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Whitcombe 2012)

How to Cite a Poem in APSA (current)

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

APSA Reference List Format

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

APSA Example for a Poem

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

Whitcombe, Iris. 2012. “Reading Room at Dusk.” In Collected Poems, 1990-2010, ed. Owen Pratt. Chicago: Lakeshore Press, 112–13.

Matching in-text citation: (Whitcombe 2012)

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 APSA (current) 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 APSA 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: apsa.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a poem in APSA?: To cite a poem in APSA (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APSA format for a poem citation?: The APSA format for a poem is: Whitcombe, Iris. 2012. “Reading Room at Dusk.” In Collected Poems, 1990-2010, ed. Owen Pratt. Chicago: Lakeshore Press, 112–13.
What does the in-text citation look like for a poem in APSA?: In APSA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Whitcombe 2012)