How to Cite a Poem: A Comprehensive Analysis of MLA, APA, and Chicago Style

n academic writing, citing poetry is a task that requires special attention to format. Poetry has unique language and structure, and the way it is cited varies depending on the writing style guide used (such as MLA, APA, Chicago). Proper citation not only shows respect for the original author, but also enhances the authority and rigor of your argument.

MLA format for citing poems

MLA format is widely used in the fields of literature, language and cultural studies and is one of the most common formats for citing poetry.

1. Works Cited format:

Author’s first name, last name. Book title. Publisher, year of publication, page number (optional).

Example:

Frost, Robert. The Road Not Taken and Other Poems. Dover Publications, 1993.

2. In-text citation:

Single-line poetry: Use double quotation marks.

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood” (Frost 1).

Two to three lines: Use slashes / between each line.

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood / And sorry I could not travel both” (Frost 1).

More than four lines (block quote): Keep the original format, indent the entire paragraph, and do not use quotation marks.

• Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
• And sorry I could not travel both
• And be one traveler, long I stood
• And looked down one as far as I could (Frost 1).

APA format for citing poems

APA format is widely used in education, psychology, and social sciences.

1. References format:

Author's last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Poem title. In Book title (page number). Publisher.

Example:

Frost, R. (1993). The road not taken. In The road not taken and other poems (pp. 1–2). Dover Publications.

2. In-text citation:

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood” (Frost, 1993, p. 1).

If there is no page number, it can be omitted or the paragraph number can be used (such as web page citation).

Chicago Poetry Citation Style

The Chicago style is used in history, philosophy, and publishing writing, and usually uses footnotes and bibliographies.

1. Footnote Style:

Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken and Other Poems (Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1993), 1.

2. Bibliography Style:

Frost, Robert. The Road Not Taken and Other Poems. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1993.

Key elements to include when citing poems

No matter what style you use, the following information is the basic elements to include when citing a poem:

Author's name (full name)

• Poem title (if from a collection)
• Poem source (book, journal, website, etc.)
• Page or line number (if applicable)
• Publication information (including publisher, year of publication)

How to cite poems in digital format (such as PDF or e-book)

For e-book or PDF files:

• If page numbers are available: number them normally.
• If page numbers are not available: use chapter headings, paragraph numbers, or line numbers.

APA example (no page numbers):

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood” (Frost, 1993, para. 2).

How to cite poems from the web

When citing poems from the web, include the URL, publication date (if available), and access date (if required).

MLA Example:

Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/ the-road-not-take .Accessed 8 May 2025.

APA Example:

Frost, R. (n.d.). The road not taken. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken

Use AI tools to ensure accurate citations

With AI tools such as Zotero, EndNote, Citation Machine, or ChatGPT, you can quickly generate standardized citation formats. These tools can automatically identify the source of the literature and match the corresponding citation style, saving time in searching and formatting.

Humanize AI quotations

If you use AI to generate quotations, it is recommended to use tools such as Humanize AI to further polish them and make the quotations more natural and fluent. It can help you:

• Remove "mechanical" expressions
• Add transition words or explanations
• Make the entire paragraph more in line with human writing logic

Example before optimization:

Frost, R. (1993). The road not taken. In The road not taken and other poems (pp. 1–2). Dover Publications.

After optimization (humanized expression):

In this collection of poems, Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" appears at the beginning (1993, pp. 1–2), telling a metaphor for life choices in his signature narrative style.

Common mistakes to avoid when citing poetry

❌ Ignoring formatting requirements: Different styles have different citation standards, so don’t mix them.

❌ Not including page or line numbers: Especially in MLA, this is a necessary detail.

❌ Using the wrong quotation marks or slashes: Multiple lines should be separated by / or block indented.

❌ Missing publishing information: Year of publication, publisher, etc. must be listed in full.

Frequently Asked Questions about Citing Poetry

Q1: Can I just write the title of the poem without citing the author?

A1: No. The author's full name must be indicated to show respect and facilitate readers to verify.

Q2: What should I do if I can't find the publication date on the website?

A2: Use "n.d." (no date) and add the access date.

Q3: The same poem comes from different versions, which one should I choose?

A3: Give priority to academic publications, or indicate the specific source and link.

Conclusion

Citing poems is not only an academic norm, but also a tribute to the poet's work. Understanding the citation requirements under different styles and flexibly using AI tools and humanized polishing methods can make your writing more professional and more appealing. Every citation is a dialogue between you and the poet's thoughts - make it accurate, clear and beautiful.