Edgar Allan Poe, a master of the macabre and a giant of American literature, leaves an enduring legacy. Whether you're writing an essay on his dark tales, analyzing his poetry's haunting rhythm, or exploring his contributions to literary theory, proper citation is crucial. This guide will walk you through citing Poe's works accurately using different citation styles.
Understanding Citation Styles
Before diving into specific examples, let's clarify the main citation styles you might encounter:
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MLA (Modern Language Association): Commonly used in humanities disciplines, MLA emphasizes author-page citations in the text and a Works Cited page at the end.
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APA (American Psychological Association): Prevalent in social sciences, APA uses in-text citations with author, date, and page number (if available) and a References page.
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Chicago/Turabian: Offers both a notes-bibliography and author-date system. The notes-bibliography style uses footnotes or endnotes with a bibliography, while the author-date system is similar to APA.
Citing Poe's Works: Examples
Let's illustrate how to cite Poe using each style, focusing on his famous short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" and poem "The Raven."
"The Tell-Tale Heart"
MLA:
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In-text citation: (Poe 12). (Assuming the quote is on page 12 of your edition.)
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Works Cited entry:
Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Tell-Tale Heart." The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, edited by James A. Harrison, Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1879, pp. 1-12.
APA:
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In-text citation: (Poe, 1879, p. 12). (Assuming the quote is on page 12 of your 1879 edition.)
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References entry:
Poe, E. A. (1879). The Tell-Tale Heart. In The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe (J. A. Harrison, Ed., pp. 1-12). Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
Chicago/Turabian (Notes-Bibliography):
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Footnote/Endnote: 1. Edgar Allan Poe, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” in The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, ed. James A. Harrison (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1879), 12.
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Bibliography entry:
Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Tell-Tale Heart.” In The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, edited by James A. Harrison. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1879.
"The Raven"
The citation process remains consistent for Poe's poems. Adapt the page numbers and publication details to reflect your specific edition.
MLA:
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In-text citation: (Poe 5). (Assuming the quote is on page 5.)
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Works Cited entry:
Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Raven." The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, edited by James A. Harrison, Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1879, pp. 5-10. (Adjust page numbers as needed.)
APA:
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In-text citation: (Poe, 1879).
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References entry:
Poe, E. A. (1879). The Raven. In The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe (J. A. Harrison, Ed.). Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
Chicago/Turabian (Notes-Bibliography):
- Footnote/Endnote: 1. Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven,” in The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, ed. James A. Harrison (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1879).
Important Considerations:
- Edition: Always specify the edition you used, especially for older works like Poe's, as different editions may have varying page numbers and textual details.
- Editor/Translator: If your edition includes an editor or translator, include their name in the citation.
- Online Sources: If you are citing an online edition, include the URL and the date you accessed it. MLA and APA have specific guidelines for online sources.
- Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your paper.
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite Edgar Allan Poe's works in your academic writing, showcasing your research and respecting the legacy of this literary giant. Remember to always double-check your style guide for the most up-to-date information.
