How To Write Poem Titles In MLA: A Comprehensive Guide

Writing a poem is a deeply personal and creative act. However, once you’ve crafted your verses, the next critical step is presenting them correctly, especially in academic contexts. This guide will walk you through how to write poem titles in MLA format, ensuring your work is both beautifully written and impeccably formatted. We’ll cover everything from capitalization to punctuation, ensuring your poems are ready for publication or submission.

Understanding the Basics of MLA Formatting for Poem Titles

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely accepted standard for academic writing, particularly in the humanities. When it comes to poem titles, the rules are specific, and adhering to them is crucial for presenting your work professionally. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about demonstrating attention to detail and respect for the conventions of scholarly discourse.

Capitalization Rules for Poem Titles

The capitalization of poem titles in MLA follows a few key principles:

  • Capitalize the first word of the title and subtitle.
  • Capitalize all principal words. These include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
  • Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), or prepositions (in, on, of, to, etc.) unless they are the first or last word of the title or subtitle.

For example, consider a poem titled “The Raven’s Flight of Sorrow.” In this case, all words except “of” are capitalized. If the title were “Flight of Sorrow of the Raven,” both “Flight” and “Sorrow” would be capitalized, but not “of.”

Punctuation: Mastering the Details

Punctuation plays a vital role in MLA formatting for poem titles. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Use quotation marks around the titles of poems. This signifies that you are referring to a shorter work, a complete poem.
  • If the poem title includes a question mark or exclamation point, include it within the quotation marks.
  • If the poem title is part of a larger work (like a collection), the title of the collection is italicized, and the poem title remains within quotation marks.

For example: “Ode to a Nightingale” (poem title). In a larger collection, it would be Poems of Keats, “Ode to a Nightingale.”

Formatting Poem Titles Within a Sentence

When incorporating a poem title into a sentence, maintain the same formatting rules: quotation marks around the poem title. Ensure the sentence flows grammatically and doesn’t disrupt the readability of your writing.

Example: In John Keats’ poem, “Ode to a Nightingale,” the speaker contemplates mortality.

Citing Poems in a Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page is where you provide detailed information about the sources you’ve used. When citing a poem, the format varies slightly depending on whether you’re citing the poem from a collection or a standalone publication.

Citing a Poem from a Collection

The general format for citing a poem from a collection is:

  • Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Collection, edited by Editor’s Name, Publisher, Year, page number(s).

For example:

  • Keats, John. “Ode to a Nightingale.” The Complete Poems of John Keats, edited by John Stillinger, Harvard University Press, 1978, pp. 263-270.

Citing a Poem From a Standalone Publication or Website

If the poem is found in its own publication or online, the citation format changes slightly:

  • Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Website or Publication, Date of Publication or Access, URL.

For example:

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Formatting Poem Titles

Several common mistakes can undermine the accuracy of your MLA formatting. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you maintain precision:

  • Incorrect Capitalization: Always double-check your capitalization, especially with prepositions and conjunctions.
  • Missing Quotation Marks: Failing to enclose the poem title in quotation marks is a frequent error.
  • Incorrect Italicization: Remembering to italicize the title of the collection, not the poem itself, is crucial.
  • Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency throughout your document. If you choose to abbreviate a word in one citation, do so consistently throughout.

Tips for Success: Mastering MLA Formatting

Practice is key to mastering MLA formatting. Here are some tips to help you:

  • Consult the MLA Handbook: This is the definitive guide to MLA style.
  • Use Citation Generators: While not a substitute for understanding the rules, citation generators can help streamline the process. Always double-check the output.
  • Proofread Carefully: Thorough proofreading is essential to catch any errors.
  • Seek Feedback: Ask a professor or colleague to review your work.

Advanced Considerations: Special Cases

While the core rules remain constant, some special cases may require slight adjustments.

  • Long Titles: If a poem title is excessively long, consider using a shortened version in subsequent mentions within your text, but always use the full title in your Works Cited.
  • Titles within Titles: If a poem title contains another title (e.g., a play title), format the inner title according to its own rules (e.g., italicize a play title).

FAQs About MLA Formatting for Poem Titles

  • What if the poem title is in a foreign language? Maintain the original title formatting for the language. If you translate the title, include the original title in parentheses after your translation.

  • How do I format a subtitle for a poem? Use a colon to separate the title and subtitle, with capitalization following the same rules as the main title. For example, “Ode to Autumn: A Celebration of the Season.”

  • Is it necessary to include the poet’s name with every mention of the poem title? No, but the first time you mention the poem, include the poet’s name. You can then refer to the poem by its title in subsequent mentions, unless multiple poems by the same author are discussed.

  • What if I am citing a poem that has no title? If a poem has no title, you can use the first line of the poem as its title, enclosed in quotation marks.

  • How do I format a poem’s title in a book review? Follow the same formatting rules as you would in any academic paper: quotation marks for poem titles, italics for book titles.

Conclusion: Polishing Your Presentation

Mastering the art of formatting poem titles in MLA is about more than just following rules; it’s about demonstrating precision, clarity, and respect for the art of literature. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can ensure that your work is presented professionally and accurately. Remember to pay close attention to capitalization, punctuation, and citations. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to crafting polished, academically sound work that showcases both your poetic talent and your mastery of MLA style.