How to Cite Plays: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

Navigating the world of academia can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to properly citing sources. One common source of confusion is how to cite plays. Whether you’re a student writing a literary analysis or a researcher delving into dramatic works, this guide will empower you with the knowledge and tools to cite plays accurately.

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Delving into Play Citation:

Citing plays effectively involves understanding the specific elements that make up a play. These include the title, author, date of publication, and act and scene numbers. Let’s break down each element:

1. Title:

The title of the play is the first and foremost identifier. Always capitalize the first and last words of the title, as well as any major nouns or verbs. Quotation marks are not used around the title unless it is part of a longer work.

2. Author:

If the play has a single author, list their full name in the same order as it appears on the title page. If the play has multiple authors, list the first author’s full name, followed by "et al."

3. Date of Publication:

The date of publication may be the year the play was first published or performed. Use the following format: year (no need for "A.D." or "C.E.").

4. Act and Scene Numbers:

When citing specific sections of a play, include the act and scene numbers. Use the following format: Act number, followed by a period, then the scene number. For example: Act 3. Scene 2

Two Common Citation Styles:

Depending on the style guide you’re using, there are two main ways to cite plays:

1. Modern Language Association (MLA) Style:

In-Text Citation: (Author’s Last Name Act.Scene)

Works Cited Entry:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Play. Date of Publication, Publisher.

Example:

(Shakespeare 3.1)

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. 1597, Barnes & Noble Books.

2. Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) Style:

In-Text Citation: (Author’s Last Name, Title, Act:Scene)

Footnote Entry:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Play. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date of Publication.

Example:

(Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 3:1)

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998

Citations in Action:

Let’s put our knowledge into practice with some examples:

MLA:

• Romeo says, "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?" (Shakespeare 2.2).
• In Romeo and Juliet, love ultimately triumphs over hatred (Shakespeare 3.5).

CMOS:

• "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" asks Juliet (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 1:5).
• Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a classic tragedy that explores the destructive power of love (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Preface).

Embracing the Nuances:

Citing plays can involve additional nuances depending on the type of play or edition you’re working with. Here are some common scenarios:

1. Multiple Editions:

If you are citing a play from a specific edition, include the edition information after the title.

Example:

• Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Second Folio, 1632, Folger Shakespeare Library.

2. Anthologies:

When citing a play from an anthology, include the anthology title, editor, and page numbers.

Example:

• Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Edited by Stephen Greenblatt, W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, pp. 140-229.

3. Performances:

If you are citing a specific performance of a play, include the director, theater, and date of the performance.

Example:

• Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon, 2015.

Comparative Analysis: Citing Plays vs. Other Sources

| Feature | Plays | Novels | Non-Fiction Books |
|—|—|—|—|
| Title | Title in italics with capitalization | Title in italics with capitalization | Title in regular font with capitalization |
| Author | Author’s full name in given order | Author’s full name in given order | Author’s full name in given order |
| Publication Date | Year of first publication or performance | Year of first publication | Year of first publication |
| Specific Sections | Act and scene numbers | Chapter and page numbers | Chapter and page numbers |

Conclusion:

Understanding how to cite plays is essential for academic success. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can confidently navigate the world of play citation and leave a lasting impression on your readers.

Check out our other articles for more insights on citing sources:

• [How to Cite Websites: A Step-by-Step Guide](link to article)
• [How to Cite Articles: The Ultimate Resource](link to article)
• [The Art of Citing Sources: A Crash Course](link to article)

FAQ about How to Cite Plays

How should I cite a play in text?

• (Author’s Last Name Page Number)
• Example: (Shakespeare 12)

How should I cite a play in a Works Cited list?

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Play". Publication Medium. Publisher, Publication Year.
• Example: Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet". Print. Folger Shakespeare Library, 1992.

What do I do if the play was originally published in a different year?

• Include the original publication year after the title, followed by the publication year of the edition you’re using.
• Example: Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet". 1603. Print. Folger Shakespeare Library, 1992.

What if I’m only citing a specific scene or act from a play?

• Include the scene or act number after the play title, followed by the page range.
• Example: Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet, Act III, Scene 1." Print. Folger Shakespeare Library, 1992.

What if I’m citing a play that is part of a collection?

• Include the collection title in italics after the play title.
• Example: Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet". In The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Print. Oxford University Press, 2005.

What is the difference between P-A-S and MLA?

• P-A-S stands for Playwright-Act-Scene, while MLA stands for Modern Language Association. The main difference is that P-A-S is specifically designed for citing plays, while MLA is used for a wider range of sources.

How do I cite a play that has no author?

• Use the title of the play in place of the author’s name.
• Example: "Hamlet". Print. Folger Shakespeare Library, 1992.

How do I cite a play that is available online?

• Follow the same format as for print sources, but include the URL and access date.
• Example: Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet". Folger Digital Texts. https://folgerdigitaltexts.folger.edu/plays/Hamlet/. Accessed 2023-03-08.

What if I’m citing a play from a performance I attended?

• Include the name of the theater and the date of the performance.
• Example: Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet". Performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company, 2023-03-05.

How do I cite a play that is translated into another language?

• Include the translator’s name after the play title.
• Example: Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet". Translated by William Collins. Print. Gallimard, 2020.