how to cite a play in mla format

How to Cite a Play in MLA Format: A Comprehensive Guide

Citing Plays: A Piece of Cake!

Are you a student or researcher struggling to keep up with the complexities of MLA citation style? Fear not, because citing plays in MLA format is a piece of cake with our comprehensive guide! We’ll break it down into bite-sized chunks, making it a breeze for you to conquer the world of academic formatting.

Essential Elements of a Play Citation

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s first get a clear picture of the essential elements that make up a play citation:

• Author: The playwright who created the play
• Title of the Play: The full and exact name of the play
• Date of Publication: The year the play was first published
• Medium of Publication: The format in which the play is presented (e.g., print, digital, performance)

Step-by-Step Guide to MLA Play Citation

Now that we have the basics down, let’s walk through the step-by-step process of crafting an MLA-compliant play citation:

1. Author Last Name, First Name.

Start by listing the playwright’s last name, followed by their first name. Use commas to separate the names.

2. Title of the Play.

Italicize the full title of the play.

3. Date of Publication.

Enclose the year of publication in parentheses.

4. Medium of Publication.

Indicate the medium of publication, such as "Print," "Digital," or "Performance."

5. Container.

If the play is part of a larger collection or anthology, include the title of the collection and its editor(s).

Example Citations: Breaking Down the Bits

Let’s put our knowledge to the test with some real-world examples:

A Play in Print

• Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. 1947. Print.

A Play in an Anthology

• O’Neill, Eugene. "The Hairy Ape." The Best American Plays of the 20th Century. Ed. John Gassner. Crown Publishers, 1967. Print.

A Play in Performance

• Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Royal Opera House, London, 2023. Digital.

Parenthetical Citations: Keeping Track of Your Sources

When you’re referencing a play in the body of your text, use parenthetical citations to indicate the page number(s) where the information can be found:

• (Williams 25)
• (O’Neill 87-89)

Comparison Chart: MLA vs. Other Styles

To make it even easier for you to navigate the world of citation styles, here’s a comparison chart that highlights the key differences between MLA, APA, and Chicago:

Conclusion: Master the Art of Play Citation

With this comprehensive guide under your belt, you’re now a master of citing plays in MLA format. Whether you’re writing a paper, preparing a presentation, or simply trying to navigate the world of academic research, you can confidently and accurately reference plays in your work.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so the more you cite plays, the more comfortable and proficient you’ll become. And if you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to refer back to this guide or consult with a trusted mentor, teacher, or librarian.

Bonus Tip: Want to learn more about MLA citation style? Check out our other awesome articles:

• How to Cite a Website in MLA Format: A Quick and Easy Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to MLA Formatting

FAQ about How to Cite a Play in MLA Format

What is the P-A-S guideline?

The P-A-S guideline stands for Playwright-Author-Scene. This means that when citing a play in MLA format, you should include the playwright’s last name, the title of the play, and the act, scene, and line numbers of the quotation or reference you’re using.

How do I cite a play by a single author?

For a play by a single author, follow the P-A-S guideline:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, Act.Scene.Line Numbers.
  For example:
• Shakespeare, Hamlet, 1.2.124-126.

How do I cite a play by two or more authors?

For a play by two or more authors, follow the P-A-S guideline, but use "and" between the authors’ last names:

• Playwright’s Last Name and Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, Act.Scene.Line Numbers.
  For example:
• Beaumont and Fletcher, The Maid’s Tragedy, 3.1.24-26.

How do I cite a play that is part of an anthology?

If the play you’re citing is part of an anthology, include the title and publication information of the anthology after the play citation:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, Title of Anthology, Editor’s Last Name, Publisher, Publication Year, Page Numbers.
  For example:
• Shakespeare, Macbeth, The Norton Shakespeare, ed. Stephen Greenblatt, W.W. Norton & Company, 2015, pp. 1526-1562.

How do I cite a play that I accessed online?

If you accessed the play online, include the website’s URL and the date you accessed it after the play citation:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, Act.Scene.Line Numbers. Website Name, URL, Date Accessed.
  For example:
• Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, 2.3.58-62. American Literature, https://www.americanliterature.com/death-of-a-salesman/, accessed March 1, 2023.

How do I cite a line that is not spoken by a character?

If the line you’re citing is not spoken by a character, indicate that it is a stage direction or other non-character line by putting it in brackets:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, [Stage Direction].
  For example:
• Shakespeare, Macbeth, [Thunder and lightning]

How do I cite a quote that spans multiple lines?

If the quote you’re citing spans multiple lines, use a slash (/) to indicate the line break:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, Act.Scene.Line Numbers/Line Numbers.
  For example:
• Miller, Death of a Salesman, 2.3.58-62/64-66.

How do I cite a play that is not paginated?

If the play you’re citing is not paginated, include the number of lines in the text after the act and scene numbers:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, Act.Scene.Line Numbers/Total Number of Lines.
  For example:
• Shakespeare, The Tempest, 1.2.10-15/1000.

How do I cite a play that has been translated?

If the play you’re citing has been translated, include the translator’s name after the title of the play:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Translator’s Last Name, Title of Play, Act.Scene.Line Numbers.
  For example:
• Shakespeare, Lawrence, trans., Romeo and Juliet, 1.3.42-48.

How do I cite a performance of a play?

To cite a performance of a play, include the following information:

• Playwright’s Last Name, Title of Play, Director’s Last Name, Name of Theater, City, Date of Performance.
  For example:
• Shakespeare, Hamlet, Kenneth Branagh, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, London, March 10, 2023.