How To Cite A Short Story In An Anthology Mla

2 min read 23-11-2024

How To Cite A Short Story In An Anthology Mla

Keyword: MLA citation short story anthology

Knowing how to correctly cite sources is crucial for academic integrity. This guide will walk you through citing a short story found within an anthology using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. Properly citing your sources prevents plagiarism and demonstrates your research diligence. Let's get started!

Understanding MLA Citation Basics

Before diving into short story citations, let's review the fundamental structure of an MLA citation. MLA style typically follows this pattern:

Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. "Title of Work." Title of Container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, location.

Citing a Short Story in an Anthology: The Breakdown

When citing a short story from an anthology, you'll need to provide information about both the story itself and the anthology it's contained within. Here's the detailed breakdown:

1. Author of the Short Story: Begin with the last name and first name of the short story's author.

2. Title of the Short Story: Enclose the title of the short story in quotation marks. Capitalize the first word, the last word, and all principal words.

3. Title of the Anthology: Italicize the title of the anthology. Follow the same capitalization rules as above.

4. Editors of the Anthology: If the anthology has editors, list their names after the anthology title, preceded by "Edited by."

5. Publisher: Indicate the publisher of the anthology.

6. Publication Date: Include the year of publication of the anthology.

7. Pages: Specify the page range where the short story appears in the anthology.

Example MLA Citation

Let's say you're citing "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, found in The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Here's how the citation would look:

Jackson, Shirley. "The Lottery." The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Stephen Greenblatt et al., ninth ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2018, pp. 1775-83.

Handling Different Anthology Editions

If you used a different edition of the anthology, be sure to include the edition number in your citation, just as shown in the example above ("ninth ed.").

In-text Citations

When referencing the short story within your paper, you'll use a parenthetical citation. This typically includes the author's last name and page number. For instance:

(Jackson 1780)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What if the anthology doesn't have editors?

A: If there are no editors listed, omit the "Edited by" section.

Q: What if the anthology is online?

A: For online anthologies, you'll need to add the URL and access date. Consult the latest MLA Handbook for specific guidance on citing online sources.

Q: My anthology has multiple volumes. How do I cite it?

A: Specify the volume number after the anthology title (e.g., The Norton Anthology of American Literature, vol. 2).

Conclusion

Mastering MLA citation for short stories in anthologies is essential for academic success. Remember to always double-check your citations against the latest MLA guidelines to ensure accuracy. By following these steps, you can confidently and correctly cite your sources, showcasing your academic integrity and strengthening your research. Remember to always consult the latest MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date information and for handling any specific cases not covered here.