Mastering the Art: How to Write a Poem in MLA Format

Writing poetry is a uniquely personal endeavor, a chance to explore emotions, ideas, and the world around us. But when it comes to academic settings, even poetry needs to adhere to specific guidelines, and that’s where MLA (Modern Language Association) format comes into play. This guide will walk you through the process of crafting a poem and formatting it correctly for MLA, helping you ensure your work is both aesthetically pleasing and academically sound.

1. Understanding the Basics: Why MLA Matters for Poetry

Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand why MLA format is important. In academic writing, consistency is key. MLA provides a standardized system for formatting papers, citing sources, and presenting information. This allows readers to easily understand the structure and context of your work. Applying MLA to your poem, even though it’s creative, shows you understand academic expectations and allows your instructor to focus on the poem’s content rather than struggling with formatting.

2. Crafting Your Poem: The Creative Process First

While this article focuses on formatting, the poem itself is paramount. Begin with inspiration. Consider your subject matter, the emotions you want to convey, and the poetic form you’d like to use. There are many forms, from free verse to sonnets, haikus, and limericks. Experiment with different styles and techniques, such as:

• Imagery: Use vivid language to create mental pictures.
• Metaphor and Simile: Employ figurative language to compare dissimilar things.
• Rhyme and Rhythm: Consider the musicality of your words.
• Structure: Think about stanzas, line breaks, and overall organization.

Your poem’s content will drive its formatting needs.

3. Setting Up Your MLA-Compliant Document

Before you even type a word of your poem, you need to set up your document in the correct MLA format. This includes several important elements:

• Margins: One-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• Double-Spacing: The entire document should be double-spaced.
• Header: In the upper right-hand corner of every page, create a header with your last name and the page number (e.g., Smith 2).

4. The Heading: Essential Information at the Top

The heading appears in the upper left-hand corner of the first page only. It should include the following, double-spaced:

• Your full name
• Your instructor’s name
• The course name
• The date (day, month, year)

Example:

John Smith Professor Jones English 101 20 October 2023

5. Titling Your Poem and Centering It

The title of your poem is crucial. It should be centered on the line below the heading. Do not put your title in quotation marks, unless the title itself contains a quotation. After the title, skip a line and begin typing your poem.

Example:

John Smith Professor Jones English 101 20 October 2023

The Whispering Wind

(Skip a line)

The wind whispers secrets through the trees, A rustling symphony of leaves, It carries scents of rain and breeze, And stories that the forest weaves.

6. Formatting Line Breaks and Stanzas

Poetry relies heavily on line breaks and stanza structure. In MLA format, maintain the spacing as it is intended in your poem. Do not add extra spaces between lines or stanzas. If your poem has a longer stanza break than a single space (e.g., a double space), maintain that. The formatting of the line breaks and stanza structure is crucial to the poem’s rhythm and meaning.

7. Quoting Lines from Your Own Poem (If Necessary)

While it’s rare to quote your own poem within the same document, there are situations where it might be relevant (e.g., in an analysis of your own work, if your assignment requires it). If you need to quote your own lines, follow standard MLA quotation rules:

• Short quotations (fewer than four lines): Integrate the lines into your text and enclose them in quotation marks.
• Long quotations (four or more lines): Use a block quote. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin. Do not use quotation marks.

Example (short quotation): My poem begins with the line, “The wind whispers secrets through the trees,” setting the tone for the entire piece.

8. Citing External Sources: When and How

If your poem draws inspiration from other sources (e.g., a historical event, a myth, or another poem), you must cite those sources. This is true even if you are only loosely inspired. MLA format requires in-text citations and a Works Cited page.

• In-text citations: Place the author’s last name and the page number (if applicable) in parentheses after the quoted or paraphrased material.
• Works Cited page: List all sources used in your poem at the end of your document, alphabetized by the author’s last name. Follow MLA guidelines for formatting entries.

Example (In-text citation): The story of Icarus, as described by Ovid (21), greatly influenced my poem.

9. Preparing the Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page is essential for demonstrating the sources you used in your poem. This page comes at the end of your document, after your poem.

• Title: Center the title “Works Cited” at the top of the page.
• Format: Double-space the entire page.
• Alphabetization: List all sources alphabetically by the author’s last name. If no author is listed, alphabetize by the first word of the title (excluding “A,” “An,” and “The”).
• Hanging Indents: Use a hanging indent for each entry (the first line of the entry is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented half an inch).

10. Proofreading and Finalizing Your Poem

Once your poem is written and formatted, thoroughly proofread it. Check for:

• Spelling errors: Use a spell checker, but also read carefully.
• Grammatical errors: Review sentence structure and punctuation.
• Formatting errors: Ensure all MLA guidelines are followed.
• Clarity and flow: Read your poem aloud to check its rhythm and meaning.

Double-check all formatting to ensure it adheres to MLA guidelines. This is critical for academic purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about formatting poetry in MLA:

What if my poem has unusual line lengths or a specific visual layout? MLA prioritizes clear presentation. While the poem’s structure dictates the layout, ensure the formatting is legible and follows spacing guidelines. If your poem utilizes unconventional visual elements, clarify their meaning in any accompanying analysis.

Can I use italics in my poem? Yes, you can use italics for emphasis, foreign words, titles of works, or other purposes as dictated by the poem’s creative intent. However, be consistent with your italicization choices.

How do I cite a poem published in a collection? You will cite the poem itself, then provide the information for the collection. Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Poem.” Title of Collection, edited by Editor’s Name, Publisher, Year, page numbers.

What if I’m writing a poem that responds to another poem? You will need to cite the original poem. Follow the guidelines for citing a poem. Also, reference the author and title of the poem you are responding to within your own text.

Is there a specific MLA format for the poem’s title? The title of the poem is centered and appears on its own line. There is no specific formatting requirement (e.g., bolding or italicizing) for the title itself, unless it is a title of another work you are referencing within your poem.

Conclusion: Crafting a Poem That Shines Academically

Writing a poem in MLA format combines the creative freedom of poetry with the structured requirements of academic writing. By understanding the fundamentals of MLA, from margins and fonts to proper citation, you can present your work in a clear, professional, and academically sound manner. Remember to prioritize your poem’s content and artistic expression while adhering to the formatting guidelines. By mastering these techniques, you can create poetry that not only resonates with readers but also meets the standards of academic excellence. Now go forth and write!