How to Cite a Poem in BibTeX (standard)
Learn how to cite poems, verse, and poetry from anthologies or collections in BibTeX format (standard). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
BibTeX Reference List Format
Here is the standard BibTeX format for citing a poem in your reference list:
BibTeX Example for a Poem
A complete BibTeX reference for a poem, formatted by the official BibTeX CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
@inbook{Whitcombe2012Reading, address = {Chicago}, author = {Whitcombe, Iris}, booktitle = {Collected {Poems}, 1990-2010}, editor = {Pratt, Owen}, year = {2012}, pages = {112--113}, publisher = {Lakeshore Press}, title = {Reading room at dusk}, }
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 BibTeX (standard) 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 BibTeX 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: bibtex.csl
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a poem in BibTeX?
- To cite a poem in BibTeX (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the BibTeX format for a poem citation?
- The BibTeX format for a poem is: @inbook{Whitcombe2012Reading, address = {Chicago}, author = {Whitcombe, Iris}, booktitle = {Collected {Poems}, 1990-2010}, editor = {Pratt, Owen}, year = {2012}, pages = {112--113}, publisher = {Lakeshore Press}, title = {Reading room at dusk}, }
Generate This Citation Automatically
Skip the manual formatting. Paste a DOI, URL, or ISBN into CitationEasy and get a perfectly formatted BibTeX citation in seconds.
Cite in BibTeX Now →Generate this citation
Paste a URL, DOI, ISBN, or the source details and get a finished BibTeX citation for a Poem.
Open the Poem Citation Generator →Bibliography Studio
Saved citations build a full bibliography in the Studio