How to Cite a Poem in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite poems, verse, and poetry from anthologies or collections in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
MLA Works Cited Format
Here is the standard MLA format for citing a poem in your Works Cited page:
Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Poem." Title of Anthology, edited by Editor First Name Last Name, Publisher, Year, pp. xx–xx.
MLA Example for a Poem
A complete MLA reference for a poem, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Whitcombe, Iris. “Reading Room at Dusk.” Collected Poems, 1990-2010, edited by Owen Pratt, Lakeshore Press, 2012, pp. 112–13.
Matching in-text citation: (Whitcombe)
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Author lines 12–14)
Narrative
Author opens the poem with "..." (lines 1–4).
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 MLA (9th 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 Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.
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