How to Cite Plays in an Essay: A Symphony of Chaos and Order

Citing plays in an essay is akin to conducting an orchestra where each instrument represents a different citation style, and the conductor is your professor, who may or may not appreciate your avant-garde interpretation. The process is both an art and a science, requiring a delicate balance between adherence to rules and creative expression. Here, we explore the multifaceted world of citing plays, offering a plethora of perspectives to guide you through this intricate dance.

The MLA Approach: A Classic Symphony

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is the Beethoven of citation methods—timeless, structured, and widely respected. When citing a play in MLA format, you must include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. For in-text citations, you should include the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare 45)
Works Cited entry: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

The APA Approach: A Jazz Improvisation

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is more like jazz—flexible, dynamic, and a bit unpredictable. When citing a play in APA format, you need to include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the page number. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 1603/2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003). Hamlet (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. (Original work published 1603)

The Chicago Manual of Style: A Baroque Fugue

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) is the Bach of citation methods—complex, detailed, and highly structured. When citing a play in CMS format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. Footnotes or endnotes are used for in-text citations, and a bibliography is required. For example:

Footnote/Endnote: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine (New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003), 45.
Bibliography entry: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

The Harvard Referencing System: A Minimalist Sonata

The Harvard Referencing System is the Philip Glass of citation methods—minimalist, repetitive, and straightforward. When citing a play in Harvard format, you need to include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the page number. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003) Hamlet. Edited by B.A. Mowat and P. Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library.

The Turabian Style: A Romantic Ballad

The Turabian style is the Chopin of citation methods—emotional, nuanced, and slightly less formal than Chicago. When citing a play in Turabian format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. Footnotes or endnotes are used for in-text citations, and a bibliography is required. For example:

Footnote/Endnote: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine (New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003), 45.
Bibliography entry: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

The Oxford Style: A Renaissance Madrigal

The Oxford style is the Palestrina of citation methods—traditional, harmonious, and slightly archaic. When citing a play in Oxford format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. Footnotes are used for in-text citations, and a bibliography is required. For example:

Footnote: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine (New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003), 45.
Bibliography entry: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

The Vancouver Style: A Modernist Atonality

The Vancouver style is the Schoenberg of citation methods—innovative, systematic, and a bit challenging to grasp. When citing a play in Vancouver format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: [1]
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare W. Hamlet. Mowat BA, Werstine P, editors. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library; 2003.

The IEEE Style: A Digital Symphony

The IEEE style is the Kraftwerk of citation methods—technical, precise, and heavily reliant on numbers. When citing a play in IEEE format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: [1]
Reference list entry: [1] W. Shakespeare, Hamlet, B. A. Mowat and P. Werstine, Eds. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

The Bluebook Style: A Legal Concerto

The Bluebook style is the John Williams of citation methods—formal, authoritative, and often used in legal contexts. When citing a play in Bluebook format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. Footnotes are used for in-text citations, and a bibliography is required. For example:

Footnote: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine (New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003), 45.
Bibliography entry: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

The AMA Style: A Medical Rhapsody

The American Medical Association (AMA) style is the Hans Zimmer of citation methods—structured, precise, and often used in medical and scientific writing. When citing a play in AMA format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: 1
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare W. Hamlet. Mowat BA, Werstine P, eds. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library; 2003.

The CSE Style: A Scientific Sonata

The Council of Science Editors (CSE) style is the Dmitri Shostakovich of citation methods—rigorous, systematic, and often used in scientific writing. When citing a play in CSE format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: [1]
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare W. Hamlet. Mowat BA, Werstine P, editors. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library; 2003.

The ACS Style: A Chemical Fugue

The American Chemical Society (ACS) style is the Igor Stravinsky of citation methods—complex, innovative, and often used in chemical writing. When citing a play in ACS format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: (1)
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare, W. Hamlet; Mowat, B. A., Werstine, P., Eds.; Folger Shakespeare Library: New York, 2003.

The NLM Style: A Medical Minuet

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) style is the Mozart of citation methods—elegant, precise, and often used in medical writing. When citing a play in NLM format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: 1
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare W. Hamlet. Mowat BA, Werstine P, editors. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library; 2003.

The AAA Style: An Anthropological Rhapsody

The American Anthropological Association (AAA) style is the Béla Bartók of citation methods—eclectic, detailed, and often used in anthropological writing. When citing a play in AAA format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, William. 2003. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library.

The APSA Style: A Political Symphony

The American Political Science Association (APSA) style is the Leonard Bernstein of citation methods—dynamic, authoritative, and often used in political science writing. When citing a play in APSA format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, William. 2003. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library.

The ASA Style: A Sociological Concerto

The American Sociological Association (ASA) style is the Aaron Copland of citation methods—structured, clear, and often used in sociological writing. When citing a play in ASA format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, William. 2003. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library.

The GSA Style: A Geological Rhapsody

The Geological Society of America (GSA) style is the John Luther Adams of citation methods—grounded, detailed, and often used in geological writing. When citing a play in GSA format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: (1)
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare, W. Hamlet; Mowat, B. A., Werstine, P., Eds.; Folger Shakespeare Library: New York, 2003.

The SBL Style: A Biblical Symphony

The Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) style is the Johann Sebastian Bach of citation methods—traditional, detailed, and often used in biblical studies. When citing a play in SBL format, you should include the author’s name, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page number. Footnotes are used for in-text citations, and a bibliography is required. For example:

Footnote: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine (New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003), 45.
Bibliography entry: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.

The AIP Style: A Physical Sonata

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) style is the Richard Feynman of citation methods—precise, technical, and often used in physics writing. When citing a play in AIP format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: 1
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare, W. Hamlet; Mowat, B. A., Werstine, P., Eds.; Folger Shakespeare Library: New York, 2003.

The AGU Style: A Geophysical Concerto

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) style is the Carl Sagan of citation methods—scientific, detailed, and often used in geophysical writing. When citing a play in AGU format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: (1)
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare, W. Hamlet; Mowat, B. A., Werstine, P., Eds.; Folger Shakespeare Library: New York, 2003.

The AMS Style: A Meteorological Rhapsody

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) style is the Edward Lorenz of citation methods—complex, detailed, and often used in meteorological writing. When citing a play in AMS format, you should use a numerical system for in-text citations, with a corresponding numbered reference list. For example:

In-text citation: 1
Reference list entry: 1. Shakespeare, W. Hamlet; Mowat, B. A., Werstine, P., Eds.; Folger Shakespeare Library: New York, 2003.

The APA Journals Style: A Psychological Symphony

The APA Journals style is the Sigmund Freud of citation methods—analytical, detailed, and often used in psychological writing. When citing a play in APA Journals format, you should include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the page number. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003). Hamlet (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. (Original work published 1603)

The APA Books Style: A Literary Concerto

The APA Books style is the James Joyce of citation methods—detailed, nuanced, and often used in literary writing. When citing a play in APA Books format, you should include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the page number. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003). Hamlet (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. (Original work published 1603)

The APA Electronic Sources Style: A Digital Rhapsody

The APA Electronic Sources style is the Alan Turing of citation methods—technical, precise, and often used in digital writing. When citing a play in APA Electronic Sources format, you should include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the URL or DOI. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003). Hamlet (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. Retrieved from https://www.folger.edu/hamlet

The APA Social Media style is the Mark Zuckerberg of citation methods—modern, dynamic, and often used in social media writing. When citing a play in APA Social Media format, you should include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the URL or DOI. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003). Hamlet (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. Retrieved from https://www.folger.edu/hamlet

The APA Podcast Style: An Auditory Concerto

The APA Podcast style is the Ira Glass of citation methods—narrative, engaging, and often used in podcast writing. When citing a play in APA Podcast format, you should include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the URL or DOI. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003). Hamlet (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. Retrieved from https://www.folger.edu/hamlet

The APA Video Style: A Cinematic Rhapsody

The APA Video style is the Steven Spielberg of citation methods—visual, dynamic, and often used in video writing. When citing a play in APA Video format, you should include the author’s name, the year of publication, the play title, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the URL or DOI. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:

In-text citation: (Shakespeare, 2003)
Reference list entry: Shakespeare, W. (2003). Hamlet (B. A. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Folger Shakespeare Library. Retrieved from https://www.folger.edu/hamlet

The APA Image Style: A Visual Symphony

The APA Image style is the Ansel Adams of citation methods—visual, detailed, and often used in image writing. When citing a play in APA