To cite a play from an anthology, you generally begin with the play's author and title, followed by the complete details of the anthology in which it appears. This approach ensures readers can locate both the specific play and the larger collection.
Citing a play from an anthology involves recognizing that the play itself is a smaller work contained within a larger publication. Therefore, your citation will include information about both the individual play and the book (anthology) where you found it.
Understanding the Core Structure
According to standard citation practices, when a play is published in a collection or anthology, you should place a period after the play's title, followed by the full details of the book in which it appears. This means your citation will typically start with:
- Play Author's Last Name, First Name.
- Play Title.
- Then, the Anthology Details: Anthology Title, edited by Editor Name(s), Publisher, Year, Page Range of the play.
Common Citation Styles for Plays in Anthologies
While the core principle remains consistent, the specific formatting details vary depending on the citation style you are using (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago).
H3: Modern Language Association (MLA) Style
MLA is widely used in the humanities, including literature and theater studies.
Works Cited Entry Structure:
Playwright's Last Name, First Name. Title of Play. Title of Anthology, edited by Editor's Name(s), Publisher, Year, pp. Page Range of Play.
Example:
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. The Norton Anthology of Drama, edited by J. Ellen Gainor, W. W. Norton, 2014, pp. 1109-77.
In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Playwright's Last Name Page Number)
Example:
(Miller 1115)
For more detailed guidance, refer to the Purdue OWL MLA Formatting and Style Guide.
H3: American Psychological Association (APA) Style
APA is primarily used in social sciences, but if you're writing a paper for a course that mandates APA, here's how you'd format it. Note that APA often prioritizes the editor of the collection if the focus is on the collection itself, but for a specific play, the play's author and title still lead.
Reference List Entry Structure:
Playwright's Last Name, F. (Year). Title of play. In Editor's First Initial. Last Name (Ed.), Title of anthology (pp. Page Range of Play). Publisher.
Example:
Shakespeare, W. (2018). Hamlet. In S. Greenblatt (Ed.), The Norton Shakespeare (3rd ed., pp. 1403-1509). W. W. Norton.
In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Playwright's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
Example:
(Shakespeare, 2018, p. 1420)
For further information, consult the Purdue OWL APA Formatting and Style Guide.
H3: Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
CMOS offers two primary citation systems: Notes and Bibliography (common for humanities) and Author-Date (common for social sciences). For citing plays in anthologies, the Notes and Bibliography style is generally used.
Bibliography Entry Structure:
Playwright's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Play." In Title of Anthology, edited by Editor's First Name Last Name, Page Range of Play. City of Publication: Publisher, Year.
Example:
Sophocles. "Antigone." In The Greek Tragedians, Vol. 1: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, edited by David Grene and Richmond Lattimore, 159-204. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991.
Note Entry (First Reference):
- Playwright's First Name Last Name, "Title of Play," in Title of Anthology, ed. Editor's First Name Last Name (City of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page Number.
Example:
- Sophocles, "Antigone," in The Greek Tragedians, Vol. 1: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, ed. David Grene and Richmond Lattimore (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991), 165.
For a comprehensive guide, visit the Chicago Manual of Style Online.
Key Elements of the Citation
Regardless of the style, these components are essential for a complete citation:
- Playwright (Author of the Play): The original writer of the play.
- Title of the Play: The specific play you are citing.
- Title of the Anthology: The name of the book or collection where the play appears.
- Editor(s) of the Anthology: The person or people who compiled or edited the anthology.
- Publisher: The company that published the anthology.
- Year of Publication: The year the anthology was published.
- Page Range of the Play: The specific pages on which the play appears within the anthology.
H4: Table of Key Citation Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Playwright | The author of the individual play. |
| Play Title | The full title of the specific play being cited. |
| Anthology Title | The title of the book or collection containing the play. |
| Anthology Editor(s) | The individual(s) responsible for compiling the anthology. |
| Publisher | The publishing house that released the anthology. |
| Publication Year | The year the anthology was published. |
| Page Range | The start and end page numbers where the play can be found within the anthology. |
Practical Tips for Accurate Citation
- Distinguish Author vs. Editor: Always be clear about who wrote the play (the playwright) and who compiled the anthology (the editor). The playwright's name typically starts the entry.
- Locate All Information: Ensure you have the full names of all editors, the complete title of the anthology, and the precise page range for the play. This information is usually found on the title page and copyright page of the anthology.
- Consistency is Key: Once you choose a citation style, use it consistently throughout your entire work.
- Use Credible Sources: When in doubt, always refer to the official style guides or reputable academic resources like the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
By following these guidelines and paying close attention to the specific requirements of your chosen citation style, you can effectively and accurately cite a play from an anthology, giving proper credit to both the playwright and the editors of the collection.
