How To Cite Play Mla

How to Cite a Play in MLA: A thorough look

Properly citing sources is crucial for academic integrity. This guide covers everything from citing complete plays to specific scenes, editions, and online resources. This practical guide will walk you through the intricacies of citing plays using the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, covering various scenarios and providing clear examples to help you avoid plagiarism and strengthen your research papers. Mastering MLA citation for plays will ensure your work is credible and academically sound.

Understanding MLA In-Text Citations and Works Cited Entries

Before diving into the specifics of citing plays, it's essential to understand the two core components of MLA citation: in-text citations and Works Cited entries.

• In-text citations: These brief parenthetical references appear within your essay, directly after the material you've borrowed. They point the reader to the full citation in your Works Cited page. For plays, these typically include the playwright's last name and the act, scene, and line numbers (or page number if using a specific edition).

• Works Cited page: Located at the end of your paper, this page provides the full bibliographic information for all the sources you cited. It allows readers to easily locate and verify your sources.

Citing a Complete Play in MLA

The format for citing a complete play in your Works Cited page follows this basic structure:

Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Play. Publisher, Year of Publication.

Example:

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Penguin Classics, 2014.

Let's break down the components:

• Author's Last Name, Author's First Name: This is the standard way to list the author's name. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the title page, separated by commas.

• Title of Play: The title is italicized. This helps distinguish the title from other text elements.

• Publisher: This is the name of the publishing company that produced the edition you used.

• Year of Publication: This is the year the specific edition you consulted was published.

Citing Specific Scenes or Passages from a Play

When you quote specific lines or passages from a play, your in-text citation needs to be more precise. It should include the act, scene, and line numbers (or page numbers, if available).

Example In-Text Citation:

Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy explores the complexities of life and death (Shakespeare 3.1.56-87).

• Shakespeare: This is the author's last name.
• 3.1.56-87: This indicates Act 3, Scene 1, lines 56 through 87. Use the appropriate numbering system from your edition.

Corresponding Works Cited Entry:

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Penguin Classics, 2014.

Dealing with Different Editions and Adaptations

Different editions of the same play can have varying line numbers and page numbers. Which means when citing, make sure to be consistent and precise. Always include the edition you used in your Works Cited entry.

Example (Different Edition):

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

If you're using a translation or adaptation, be sure to mention that in your Works Cited entry.

Example (Translation):

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Translated by Stephen Greenblatt, Norton, 2017.

Example (Adaptation):

Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Viking Press, 1949.

Citing Plays from Anthologies or Collections

If you're citing a play from an anthology or collection, you need to cite both the individual play and the anthology itself.

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Example In-Text Citation:

(Chekhov, "The Cherry Orchard," 23-24).

Corresponding Works Cited Entry:

Chekhov, Anton. "The Cherry Orchard." The Norton Anthology of Drama, edited by Victor Sage, vol. 2, W. Also, w. Day to day, norton, 2019, pp. 23-75.

Notice that the title of the play is in quotation marks, as it's a part of a larger work. The anthology title is italicized.

Citing Plays from Online Databases or Websites

Citing online sources requires additional information. You'll need to include the URL and the date you accessed the resource.

Example (Online Database):

Shakespeare, William. But Hamlet. Worth adding: project Gutenberg, www. gutenberg.org/files/1787/1787-h/1787-h.Because of that, htm. Accessed 20 Oct. 2023.

Ensure the URL is correctly formatted and functional.

Handling Multiple Plays by the Same Author

If you're citing multiple plays by the same author, you can use a shortened form of the author's name in your in-text citations after the first citation.

Example (First Citation):

(Shakespeare, Hamlet 3.1.56-87).

Example (Subsequent Citations):

(Shakespeare, King Lear 1.1.1-10).

In the Works Cited page, however, list each play separately, in alphabetical order by title.

Specific Scenarios and Advanced Considerations

• Anonymous Plays: If the author is unknown, begin the entry with “Anonymous.”

• Plays with Multiple Authors: List authors alphabetically, separated by commas.

• Dramatic Works within Longer Works: If a play is part of a larger work (e.g., a novel incorporating a play within its narrative), treat the larger work as the primary source, mentioning the play as a component.

• Different versions of the same play: specify the version (e.g., the First Folio, a specific edition) in the Works Cited.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What if I only paraphrase a scene from a play, not directly quote it?

A: Even paraphrasing requires a citation. Include the author's name and the act, scene, and line numbers (or page numbers) in your in-text citation.

Q: Do I need to cite the entire play if I only mention the play's title?

A: Generally, no. Mentioning the title without quoting or paraphrasing specific content doesn't require in-text citation, but if your paper focuses heavily on the themes or plots of the play it’s best to be safe and cite it.

Q: What if I can't find the publisher information?

A: Try to find as much information as possible, including the edition and place of publication. If you can’t find the publisher, you can note “N.p.” (no publisher) in its place.

Q: How do I cite a play script from a website that doesn’t have a clear publisher?

A: Include the website name where you found the script, the URL, and the access date.

Q: My play is a modern work. Does that change the citation format?

A: No. The MLA format remains the same regardless of when the play was written.

Conclusion: Mastering MLA Citation for Plays

Accurately citing plays in MLA format is essential for avoiding plagiarism and demonstrating academic integrity. Remember to always consult the latest MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines and address any specific scenarios that fall outside of these common examples. While initially nuanced, with careful attention to detail and consistent application of the guidelines outlined above, citing plays will become a straightforward process. By following these steps, you can confidently incorporate plays into your research while maintaining the highest standards of academic honesty.