Q
How do I make in-text MLA citations for plays?
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2012 | 31 Views
Topics: Citation/Style: MLA, Drama
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The MLA Handbook says:
"In citing commonly studied verse plays and poems, omit page numbers altogether and cite by division (act, scene, canto, book, part) and line, with periods separating the various numbers"
In an example it gives for a citation of Act 5, scene 1, lines 5-12 of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, the in-text citation appears as: (Ant. 5.1.5-12). The handbook states that the titles of famous plays are often abbreviated.
The handbook also specifies that unless otherwise instructed, you should use arabic numerals even if the original play uses roman numerals. For example, the original play may say "Act VII" but you would still use "7" in your citation.
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