Mastering the Art of Citing Lyrics in MLA Format
Citing song lyrics correctly in MLA format is crucial for academic writing, particularly in literary analysis, research papers, and any work that references music. Citing lyrics not only gives credit to the artists but also enhances the credibility of your analysis. This article will guide you through the steps of citing lyrics, provide citation guidelines, and help you master the art of song citation.
Understanding the Importance of Citing Lyrics
In academic writing, proper citation is essential for several reasons:
- Credibility: Citing sources, including song lyrics, lends authority to your work.
- Integrity: It shows respect for the original creators and their intellectual property.
- Avoiding Plagiarism: Proper citations help you avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism, which can have serious consequences in academia.
Basic Elements of a Song Citation in MLA Format
When citing lyrics in MLA format, several key elements must be included:
- Author: The songwriter or artist.
- Title of the Song: Enclosed in quotation marks.
- Title of the Album: Italicized.
- Publisher: The company that released the album.
- Year of Release: The year the song was released.
- Medium: For example, CD, MP3, or streaming service.
How to Cite Lyrics: A Step-by-Step Process
Now that you understand the importance of citing lyrics and the basic elements required, let’s delve into a step-by-step process to correctly cite song lyrics in MLA format.
Step 1: Gather Your Information
Before you can create a citation, you need to collect the necessary information:
- Artist’s name
- Song title
- Album title
- Record label and year of release
- Medium of release
For example, if you are citing the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from the album “A Night at the Opera,” your information would look like this:
- Artist: Queen
- Song Title: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Album Title: A Night at the Opera
- Record Label: EMI
- Year: 1975
- Medium: CD
Step 2: Format Your Citation
Using the information gathered, format your citation according to MLA guidelines. The basic format for citing a song in MLA is:
Author. "Title of Song." Title of Album, Publisher, Year of Release. Medium.
Applying this format to our earlier example, the citation would look like this:
Queen. "Bohemian Rhapsody." A Night at the Opera, EMI, 1975. CD.
Step 3: Include In-Text Citations
In addition to your bibliography, you need to provide in-text citations when referencing lyrics in your paper. The MLA format for in-text citations of song lyrics typically includes the artist’s name and the line number (if applicable).
For example: (Queen, line 9).
Step 4: Create Your Works Cited Page
At the end of your paper, you will need a Works Cited page that lists all your sources, including the song lyrics you’ve cited. Make sure to format this page according to MLA guidelines, with entries listed alphabetically by the author’s last name.
Troubleshooting Common Citing Issues
Even experienced writers can encounter challenges when citing lyrics. Here are some common issues and solutions:
Issue 1: Multiple Artists
If a song has multiple artists, list them as they appear on the album. For example:
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus. "Old Town Road." 7, Columbia Records, 2019. MP3.
Issue 2: No Album Information
If a song is released as a single and does not have an album, you can omit the album title. For example:
Dua Lipa. "Don't Start Now." Warner Records, 2019. MP3.
Issue 3: Different Versions of Songs
When citing a specific version of a song, be sure to note which version you are referencing. This can include remixes or live performances.
Beyoncé. "Halo." I Am... Sasha Fierce, Columbia Records, 2008. CD.
Additional Citation Guidelines
Here are a few more pointers to keep in mind when citing lyrics:
- Italicize album titles: Always italicize the titles of albums.
- Quotation marks for song titles: Use quotation marks around the song titles.
- Maintain consistency: Ensure that your entire document adheres to the same citation style.
Resources for Citing Lyrics
If you would like to delve deeper into citation guidelines, the Purdue Online Writing Lab provides extensive resources on MLA format and citing various types of works, including music.
Examples of Song Citations
Here are a few examples of correctly formatted song citations in MLA format:
- Taylor Swift. “Blank Space.” 1989, Big Machine Records, 2014. CD.
- Ed Sheeran. “Shape of You.” ÷ (Divide), Asylum Records, 2017. MP3.
- Adele. “Rolling in the Deep.” 21, XL Recordings, 2011. CD.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of citing lyrics in MLA format is an essential skill for anyone involved in academic writing, literary analysis, or research. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your music references are correctly cited, enhancing the credibility of your work and respecting the original artists. Remember to gather your information, format your citations correctly, and include them in your bibliography and in-text citations. With practice, citing lyrics will become a seamless part of your writing process.
For further reading on citation styles and their importance in academic writing, consider exploring this comprehensive guide.
This article is in the category Theory and created by MusicProTips Team