How To Cite A Short Story In A Textbook Mla Ideas

3 min read 23-11-2024

How To Cite A Short Story In A Textbook Mla Ideas

Finding the right way to cite a short story within a textbook using MLA style can be tricky. This guide breaks down the process, offering clear examples and explanations to help you avoid common citation errors. Mastering this will ensure your academic work is properly attributed and avoids plagiarism.

Understanding MLA In-Text Citations and Works Cited Entries

Before diving into specifics, remember MLA style requires two key components for citing sources:

In-text citations: Brief references within your paper that directly link to your Works Cited page. These usually include the author's last name and page number.
Works Cited page: A separate page at the end of your paper listing all sources used, providing full publication information.

Citing a Short Story in a Textbook: The Basics

The core information you need for your citation includes:

Author of the short story: This is the person who wrote the story itself, not the textbook editor.
Title of the short story: Put this in quotation marks.
Title of the textbook: Italicize the textbook title.
Editor of the textbook (if listed): This person compiled the collection.
Publisher: The company that published the textbook.
Publication Year: The year the textbook was published.
Page numbers: Where the short story appears in the textbook.

Example Citations: Different Scenarios

Here are examples demonstrating how to cite a short story from a textbook in various situations:

Scenario 1: Short Story by a Single Author in an Anthology

Let's say you're citing "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, found in The Norton Anthology of American Literature.

In-text citation: (Jackson 125).

Works Cited entry:

Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., ninth ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2018, pp. 125-32.

Scenario 2: Short Story with Multiple Authors in an Anthology

If the story has multiple authors, list all authors' last names in your in-text citation.

In-text Citation (example with two authors): (Smith and Jones 45).

Works Cited Entry (example with two authors):

Smith, John, and Jane Jones. “The Unexpected Guest.” Masterpieces of Short Fiction, edited by Mary Brown, Second Edition, Penguin Classics, 2022, pp. 45-60.

Scenario 3: Anthology with No Editor Listed

If the anthology doesn't list an editor, omit the editor information from the Works Cited entry.

Works Cited Entry:

Hemingway, Ernest. “Hills Like White Elephants.” Classic Short Stories, Random House, 2015, pp. 78-85.

Scenario 4: eBook Version of a Textbook

If you accessed the textbook electronically, add the database information (if applicable) and the URL or DOI to the end of your Works Cited entry.

Works Cited Entry:

Chopin, Kate. “The Story of an Hour.” American Short Stories: A Norton Anthology, edited by John Crowley, W. W. Norton & Company, 2023, pp. 100-105, https://doi.org/10.xxxx/yyyyy

Important Considerations:

Consistency: Maintain consistency in your formatting throughout your paper and Works Cited page.
Accuracy: Double-check all details to ensure accuracy. Errors can lead to plagiarism accusations.
Online Resources: Utilize online MLA style guides (like Purdue OWL) for the most up-to-date guidelines. These resources can help clarify any uncertainties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if the page numbers for the short story span multiple pages?

A: Include the complete range of pages where the short story is found. For example: pp. 125-132.

Q: How do I cite a short story within a larger work (like a novel) in a textbook?

A: Treat it the same way as other short stories, adding the title of the larger work in italics if appropriate. You would still cite the page numbers from the textbook.

Q: What if my textbook doesn't provide a publication date?

A: If there is no publication date available, use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year in your Works Cited entry.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite short stories from textbooks in your MLA-formatted papers. Remember to always double-check your work and refer to authoritative style guides for the most up-to-date information.