Quoting a short story in MLA format can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be done easily and effectively. Did you know that properly citing your sources is not only crucial for academic integrity, but it also helps to give credit to the original authors and researchers? By following the guidelines provided by the Modern Language Association (MLA), you can ensure that you are accurately and ethically quoting a short story.
When quoting a short story in MLA format, it is important to include the author's name and the page number in parentheses after the quote. Additionally, if you are quoting a specific passage or line from the story, be sure to include the page number(s) in your citation. This allows readers to easily locate the quoted material for further reference. By following these guidelines and incorporating the proper format, you can confidently quote a short story in MLA style while maintaining the integrity of your work.
To quote a short story in MLA format, include the author's last name and the page number in parentheses after a quote. For example, "Quote goes here" (Author's Last Name page number). When citing a short story in the Works Cited page, include the author's name, title of the story in quotation marks, title of the anthology or collection in italics, editor's name, publisher, year of publication, and page range.
Understanding MLA Formatting for Quoting a Short Story
When writing an academic paper or research article on a short story, it is essential to follow specific guidelines for quoting and citing sources. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities and provides a framework for formatting and documenting sources, including short stories. This article will guide you through the process of properly quoting a short story in MLA format, ensuring accuracy, credibility, and adherence to academic standards.
1. Understanding the Basics of MLA Format
Before delving into the specifics of quoting a short story in MLA format, it is important to have a basic understanding of MLA guidelines. MLA format consists of various elements, including in-text citations, works cited page, and general formatting rules. In MLA format, both the in-text citation and works cited entry should include the author's name and page number(s) for direct quotes, while paraphrased information only requires the author's name.
The Works Cited page should list all sources used in the paper and should be organized alphabetically by the author's last name. Each entry should contain essential information, such as the author's name, title of the source (in quotation marks for short stories), title of the larger work (in italics for books or anthologies), publication details, and the medium of publication. MLA format also requires double-spacing throughout the paper and a hanging indent for the Works Cited page.
1.1 In-Text Citations
In MLA format, short stories are usually cited within the text of the paper. When quoting a short story directly, include the author's last name and the page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example:
"The analysis of the characters in 'The Lottery' reveals deep-seated social and psychological tensions" (Jackson 25).
- Include the author's last name and page number(s) in parentheses for direct quotes.
- If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number(s) is required in parentheses.
- For online sources without page numbers, use the author's name or other relevant information.
- For paraphrased information, include the author's name within the sentence or in parentheses, but page numbers are not necessary.
1.2 Works Cited Entry
When citing a short story in the Works Cited page, the format varies slightly depending on the source. For a published short story in an anthology or collection, the citation should include the author's name, the title of the short story (in quotation marks), the title of the larger work (in italics), the editor's name (if applicable), the publication details, and the page range of the short story. For example:
Diaz, Junot. "Fiesta, 1980." Drown, edited by Nancy Wilson, Riverhead Books, 1997, pp. 29-47.
If the short story is published online, the citation should include the author's name, the title of the short story (in quotation marks), the title of the larger work (in italics), the publication details, the date of access, and the URL. For example:
Lee, Chang-rae. "Coming Home Again." The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2020, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/11/30/coming-home-again.
2. Quoting Dialogue from a Short Story
When quoting dialogue from a short story, there are additional guidelines to follow. In MLA format, the dialogue should be enclosed in double quotation marks and attributed to the character speaking. The punctuation marks should be placed inside the closing quotation mark. For example:
"Don't be silly," John replied. "We have nothing to worry about."
If the dialogue is longer and spans multiple paragraphs, each new paragraph should be indented, and closing quotation marks are only used at the end of the final paragraph. Additionally, the attribution can come before, after, or in the middle of the dialogue. For example:
- Before: John replied, "Don't be silly." He continued, "We have nothing to worry about."
- In the middle: "Don't be silly," John replied, "we have nothing to worry about."
- After: "Don't be silly," said John. "We have nothing to worry about."
3. Citing Online Sources and E-Books
In the digital age, many short stories are available online or as e-books. When citing these sources in MLA format, it is essential to provide information that allows others to locate the exact source. If the short story is available on a website, include the author's name (if available), the title of the short story (in quotation marks), the title of the website (in italics), the publication details, the date of access, and the URL.
If the short story is sourced from an e-book, include the author's name, the title of the short story (in quotation marks), the title of the larger work (in italics), the publication details, the medium of publication (e-book), and any relevant information such as chapter or page numbers. MLA provides specific guidelines for citing e-books based on the platform or device used, so it is important to consult the MLA Handbook or the official MLA website for detailed instructions.
3.1 Citing Online Short Stories
Here is an example of how an online short story would be cited in MLA format:
Oates, Joyce Carol. "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Center for Documentary Studies Archive, Duke University, library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/collections/cds-WAYGWHYO.
Remember to adapt the citation to fit the specific details of the short story and online source you are referencing.
4. Including Short Story Quotes in a Paper
When incorporating quotes from a short story into your paper, it is important to integrate them smoothly and provide context for the reader. Use introductory phrases to introduce the quote and explain its significance. Avoid dropping quotes without any explanation or analysis. Additionally, if you need to omit any words or phrases from the original quote, use ellipses (...) to indicate the omission.
Always remember to analyze and provide commentary on the quotes you include to support your arguments or claims. Quotes should enhance your paper and provide evidence for your assertions, rather than stand alone without any analysis.
5. Honoring Copyright and Intellectual Property
When quoting a short story or any source, it is essential to respect copyright laws and intellectual property rights. Make sure to provide proper attribution and citation for all quotes, both in the text of your paper and in the Works Cited page. Plagiarism is a serious offense and can have severe consequences, so it is crucial to follow ethical practices in all aspects of your academic work.
Formatting Short Story Quotes in MLA: Best Practices
Quoting a short story in MLA format may seem complex at first, but by following the guidelines provided by the MLA style, you can ensure accurate and credible citations in your academic writing. Remember to familiarize yourself with the basics of MLA format, including in-text citations and the Works Cited page. When quoting dialogue, use double quotation marks and attribute the dialogue to the character speaking. When citing online sources and e-books, adapt the citation format to fit the specific source and platform.
By incorporating short story quotes effectively and providing proper context and analysis, you can strengthen your arguments and elevate the quality of your academic writing. Remember to always honor copyright and intellectual property rights by attributing your sources correctly. With these best practices in mind, you are well-equipped to quote a short story in MLA format and enhance the credibility and professionalism of your research.
How to Quote a Short Story in MLA Format
- Start with the author's name. Include the last name, followed by a comma and the first name.
- Include the title of the short story in quotation marks. Capitalize the first word and any important words in the title.
- Provide the title of the anthology or collection in italics. Include the editor's name if applicable.
- Add the name of the publisher and the publication date.
- If the short story is available online, include the URL at the end, enclosed in angle brackets.
When citing a specific passage from the short story, include the page number in parentheses after the quotation. For example: (Smith 45).
If the short story is shorter than a full page, indicate the section of the story you are quoting in the parenthetical citation. For example: (Smith, "Introduction").
Key Takeaways: How to Quote a Short Story MLA
- Include the author's last name and page number in parentheses after the quotation.
- For short stories, use quotation marks around the title of the story.
- When quoting dialogue, use double quotation marks.
- If quoting the same short story multiple times, provide the page number each time.
- Always introduce the quotation with a signal phrase or context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers on how to quote a short story in MLA format:
1. How do I quote a short story in MLA format?
When quoting a short story in MLA format, you should include the author's last name and the page number from the source where the quote is taken. Place this information in parentheses right after the quote. For example:
"The sun was setting behind the mountains" (Smith 45).
If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence introducing the quote, you only need to provide the page number in parentheses:
As Smith describes, "The sun was setting behind the mountains" (45).
2. How do I handle line breaks in a short story quote?
If there is a line break in the quote, indicate it by using a slash (/) and a space. For example:
"I wandered lonely as a cloud, / That floats on high o'er vales and hills" (Wordsworth 4-5).
3. How do I cite a short story with multiple authors?
If a short story has multiple authors, list all the authors' last names in the citation. For example:
(Smith, Johnson, and Williams 22).
4. Do I need to include the title of the short story in the citation?
In MLA format, you do not need to include the title of the short story in the in-text citation. Only include the author's last name and the page number.
5. How do I cite a short story from an anthology?
When citing a short story from an anthology, include the author's name, the title of the short story in quotation marks, the title of the anthology in italics, the editor's name, the publisher, the publication year, and the page range. For example:
Smith, John. "The Invention of Time." Great Short Stories, edited by Jane Johnson, ABC Publishing, 2022, pp. 34-45.
To quote a short story in MLA format, you need to follow a specific set of guidelines. First, format the title of the story in quotation marks. Next, include the name of the author and the page number where the quote is found. For example, if you were quoting a line from "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson found on page 27, you would write: "In the story 'The Lottery,' Jackson states, 'The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny' (Jackson 27)." Remember to use double quotation marks for the title and single quotation marks for the quote within the title. Also, include the author's last name and page number in the parentheses after the quote. Lastly, cite the complete source of the short story on your Works Cited page.
It's important to remember that when quoting a short story in MLA format, you should only include the necessary information to identify the source and locate the quote. Avoid excessive punctuation and unnecessary details. The goal is to provide accurate and concise citations while maintaining the integrity of the original text. By following these guidelines, you can effectively quote a short story in MLA format and properly attribute the words of the author.
