How To Cite A Play Purdue Owl 2021

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23-11-2024

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This guide explains how to cite plays using the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) guidelines, updated to reflect 2021 standards. Proper citation is crucial for academic integrity and avoids plagiarism. We'll cover different citation styles, including MLA and Chicago.

Understanding the Basics of Play Citations

Before delving into specifics, it's helpful to grasp the core elements needed for any play citation:

• Author's Name: The playwright's name, typically last name, first name.
• Title of the Play: The play's full title, italicized.
• Publisher: The publishing company that printed the edition you used.
• Publication Date: The year the specific edition was published.
• Location of Publication: City and state where the publisher is located.
• Medium of Publication: This typically indicates whether you consulted a print or electronic version ("Print" or "Web").

MLA Citation Style for Plays

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in humanities disciplines. Here's how to cite a play in MLA:

Book Form:

• One Play: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2017.

• Multiple Plays in a Collection: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear. Penguin Classics, 2015.

Electronic Sources:

For online plays, you'll need to include the URL and the date you accessed it:

• Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/files/1787/1787-h/1787-h.htm. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023. (Replace with actual URL and access date).

Chicago Citation Style for Plays

The Chicago Manual of Style offers two citation systems: notes-bibliography and author-date.

Notes-Bibliography System:

In the text, you'd use a footnote or endnote for the first mention of the play:

¹William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2017.

In the bibliography (at the end of your paper):

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2017.

Author-Date System:

In the text, you would cite as follows:

(Shakespeare 2017, Act 3, Scene 1, lines 50-60)

In the bibliography (at the end of your paper):

Shakespeare, William. 2017. Hamlet. Folger Shakespeare Library.

Citing Specific Lines or Scenes:

Regardless of the style you use (MLA or Chicago), always specify the act, scene, and line numbers when directly quoting:

(Hamlet, 3.1.56-58) (in MLA) or (Shakespeare 2017, 3.1.56-58) (in Chicago)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I cite a play if I'm using a specific edition or translation?

A: Always mention the specific editor or translator in the citation and include the edition details (e.g., "Edited by Stephen Greenblatt," or "Translated by Harold Bloom").

Q: What if I accessed the play through an online database like JSTOR?

A: Include the database name and the URL in your citation after the publisher and date information.

Q: My play is an anthology. How should I cite it?

A: Include the name of the play, then add the title of the anthology and relevant publication details. See the example provided above for multiple plays in a collection.

Q: What about plays found on websites without clear publication information?

A: Cite whatever information is available, including the website name and the date you accessed the site.

Conclusion

Properly citing plays is essential for academic honesty. Using the guidelines provided, based on the Purdue OWL 2021 updates, you can create accurate and consistent citations in your work, whether you're using MLA or Chicago style. Remember to consult the current Purdue OWL website for the most up-to-date information and address any specific questions that may arise about your particular source. Accurate citation demonstrates scholarly responsibility and adds credibility to your research.