Citing Literary Texts: A Comprehensive Guide for Scholars and Writers

When engaging in academic writing, particularly in literary analysis, the accurate citation of texts is essential. This article aims to provide a detailed guide on how to properly quote literary texts, especially when dealing with secondary sources. Whether you are citing a primary or secondary source, accuracy in attribution is crucial not only from an ethical standpoint but also to maintain the integrity of your scholarly work.

Direct vs Indirect Quotations

Direct quotations, as the name suggests, involve reproducing the exact words of the author without alteration. This method is appropriate when the original wording is critical or poetic. Direct quotations are placed within double quotation marks (") and are followed by a parenthetical citation that includes the page number and author's name, e.g., (Shakespeare 125).

Indirect Quotations

Indirect quotations, also known as paraphrasing, involve summarizing or restating the ideas of the original text in your own words. This method is useful when verbatim wording is not as critical, or when the focus is on the overall meaning rather than the exact phrasing. Indirect quotations are also placed within double quotation marks, followed by a parenthetical citation that includes the page number and author's name, e.g., (Johnson 34).

Quoting from a Secondary Source

In some cases, you might need to quote from a secondary source that itself cites another source. This scenario requires special handling. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to handle such cases:

Rare Cases of Citing Secondary Sources

In very rare cases, you might need to cite a secondary source that itself cites another source. In such situations, it is best to try to find the original source if possible. However, if you cannot find the original source, you should still provide a full citation for your indirect source in the Works Cited list. For the in-text or parenthetical citation, use the format: qtd. in [last name of author of your indirect source] [page number of quotation]. For example, if a literary critic (Smith) quotes from a poem (Tennyson) in their sentence, you would quote the critic's sentence and cite (Tennyson, qtd. in Smith 12).

MLA Formatting for Indirect Quotations

MLA style, which is widely used in academic writing, recommends using an original source for a quotation whenever possible. If this is not an option, create a full citation for your indirect source in the Works Cited list. For the in-text or parenthetical citation, use the format: qtd. in [last name of author of your indirect source] [page number of quotation]. For example, if a literary critic (Smith) cites a secondary source (Jones) which itself cites an original text (Tennyson) in their sentence, you would quote the critic's sentence and cite (Tennyson, qtd. in Jones 12).

Sample MLA Citation

Here is a sample of how this would look in the text and Works Cited list:

In-Text Citation

The poem's significance cannot be overstated, as Tennyson himself, when cited by Smith, puts it: 'flowers of field and tree' (15, qtd. in Smith 12).

Works Cited Entry

Smith, John. Analysis of Tennyson's Poetry. Publisher, Year.

Tennyson, Alfred. The Poems of Alfred Tennyson. Publisher, Year.

Best Practices for Citing Literary Texts

Proper citation is key to the credibility of any scholarly work. Here are some best practices to ensure you are using citations correctly:

Document Your Sources Carefully

Keep track of all sources as you research and write. Use a citation management tool like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to help organize and format your citations.

Stay Consistent with Style Guides

Ensure you refer to a reliable style guide (like the MLA Handbook) and apply it consistently throughout your document.

Use Scholarly Language

Avoid using overly casual or colloquial phrasing in your scholarly work. Always refer to your sources using the proper academic tone.

Conclusion

Accurate citation is a fundamental aspect of academic writing, especially when dealing with literary texts. Whether you are citing a primary or secondary source, understanding how to properly quote and cite is essential for maintaining the integrity of your work. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your scholarly writing is both well-researched and well-cited.