How To Cite A Letter Mla

Citing a letter in MLA format might seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process once you understand the core principles. Whether you're referencing a personal letter, a published correspondence, or an email, the Modern Language Association (MLA) has specific guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency in academic writing. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to cite a letter in MLA format, covering various scenarios and offering practical examples.

Understanding MLA Citation Basics

Before diving into the specifics of citing letters, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental elements of MLA citation. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is widely used in the humanities, particularly in language and literature studies. It emphasizes clarity and accuracy in crediting sources, allowing readers to easily locate the original material.

The two primary components of MLA citation are:

1. In-text citations: Brief references within the body of your paper that point to the full entry in the works-cited list.
2. Works-Cited List: An alphabetized list at the end of your paper providing full bibliographic information for all sources cited.

Citing Personal Letters in MLA

Personal letters are those not intended for publication. These could be letters you received, letters found in an archive, or even emails. Citing personal letters requires a slightly different approach compared to published sources.

In-Text Citation for Personal Letters

When citing a personal letter in the body of your paper, include the author's name and the date the letter was written. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, you only need to include the date in parentheses.

Example:

As Emily Dickinson noted, the intricacies of human emotion are often best captured in solitude (August 16, 1862).

If the author’s name is not mentioned in the sentence, include both the name and the date.

Example:

The correspondence reveals a deep sense of longing and introspection (Dickinson, August 16, 1862).

Works-Cited Entry for Personal Letters

The works-cited entry for a personal letter should include the following elements:

• Author of the letter.
• "Letter to" recipient’s name.
• Date of the letter.
• Location of the letter (if applicable).

The general format is:

Author. Letter to Recipient. Date. Location.

Here are a few examples:

Example 1: Letter you received

Doe, John. Letter to Jane Smith. 15 May 2023.

Example 2: Letter found in an archive

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. Letter to Ernest Hemingway. 20 Aug. 1925. Princeton University Library, Princeton.

Specific Scenarios and Examples

1. Letter You Received

If you are citing a letter that you personally received, the location can be omitted since it is assumed you possess the letter.

In-text citation: (Doe, 15 May 2023)

Works-cited entry:

Doe, John. Letter to Jane Smith. 15 May 2023.

2. Letter Found in an Archive

When citing a letter found in an archive, provide as much detail as possible about the archive's location.

In-text citation: (Fitzgerald, 20 Aug. 1925)

Works-cited entry:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. Letter to Ernest Hemingway. 20 Aug. 1925. Princeton University Library, Princeton.

3. Citing a Specific Part of a Letter

If you need to cite a specific part of the letter, you can include additional information in your in-text citation.

Example:

Fitzgerald expressed his admiration for Hemingway’s writing style, noting, "Your prose is as sharp as a razor" (20 Aug. 1925).

In this case, the works-cited entry remains the same:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. Letter to Ernest Hemingway. 20 Aug. 1925. Princeton University Library, Princeton.

4. Citing an Email

Emails are treated similarly to personal letters. Include the sender, recipient, date, and any relevant location information.

In-text citation: (Smith, 10 July 2022)

Works-cited entry:

Smith, Alice. Email to John Doe. 10 July 2022.

Citing Published Letters in MLA

Published letters are those that appear in books, journals, or online collections. These are treated differently from personal letters because they are considered formal publications.

In-Text Citation for Published Letters

The in-text citation for published letters follows the same basic MLA format: the author's last name and the page number where the cited material appears.

Example:

As Virginia Woolf reflected, "The future is dark, which is the best thing the future can be, I think" (234).

Works-Cited Entry for Published Letters

The works-cited entry for published letters depends on where the letter was published. Here are a few common scenarios:

1. Letter in a Collection of Letters

If the letter is part of a collection, cite it as follows:

Author. "Title of Letter (if any)." Title of Collection, edited by Editor's Name, Publisher, Year, Page number(s).

Example:

Kafka, Franz. "Letter to his Father." Dearest Father. Stories and Other Writings, edited by Ernst Kaiser and Eithne Wilkins, Schocken Books, 1954, pp. 12-78.

2. Letter in a Book

If the letter is part of a book that isn't specifically a collection of letters, cite it as a chapter in a book.

Author. "Title of Letter (if any)." Title of Book, edited by Editor's Name, Publisher, Year, Page number(s).

Example:

Plath, Sylvia. "Letter to her Mother." Letters Home by Sylvia Plath, edited by Aurelia Schober Plath, Harper & Row, 1975, pp. 45-50.

3. Letter in a Journal or Periodical

If the letter is published in a journal or periodical, cite it as an article in a journal.

Author. "Title of Letter (if any)." Title of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, Page number(s).

Example:

Lawrence, D.H. "Letter to Edward Garnett." The Cambridge Quarterly, vol. 4, no. 2, 1970, pp. 121-134.

4. Letter Found Online

If the letter is found online, cite it as a webpage.

Author. "Title of Letter (if any)." Title of Website, Publisher or Sponsor of Website (if different from title), Date of Publication or Last Updated, URL. Accessed Date.

Example:

Keats, John. "Letter to Fanny Brawne." The Keats Foundation, 13 Oct. 1819, . Accessed 22 June 2024.

Specific Scenarios and Examples

1. Citing a Letter with a Title

If the letter has a specific title, include it in quotation marks in the works-cited entry.

In-text citation: (Kafka, 25)

Works-cited entry:

Kafka, Franz. "Letter to his Father." Dearest Father. Stories and Other Writings, edited by Ernst Kaiser and Eithne Wilkins, Schocken Books, 1954, pp. 12-78.

2. Citing a Letter without a Title

If the letter does not have a title, simply describe it in the works-cited entry.

In-text citation: (Plath, 47)

Works-cited entry:

Plath, Sylvia. "Letter to her Mother." Letters Home by Sylvia Plath, edited by Aurelia Schober Plath, Harper & Row, 1975, pp. 45-50.

3. Citing an Entire Collection of Letters

If you are citing an entire collection of letters rather than a specific letter, cite the collection as a book.

In-text citation: (Woolf)

Works-cited entry:

Woolf, Virginia. The Letters of Virginia Woolf. Edited by Nigel Nicolson, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1975.

4. Citing a Letter from a Database

When citing a letter from a database, provide information about the database in your citation.

In-text citation: (Lawrence, 125)

Works-cited entry:

Lawrence, D.H. "Letter to Edward Garnett." The Cambridge Quarterly, vol. 4, no. 2, 1970, pp. 121-134. JSTOR, .

General Guidelines for MLA Citation

• Alphabetize your works-cited list: Entries should be alphabetized by the author’s last name. If there is no author, alphabetize by the title.
• Use hanging indents: The first line of each entry should be flush left, and subsequent lines should be indented half an inch.
• Be consistent: Maintain consistency in your citation style throughout your paper.
• Include all necessary information: Ensure you provide all the required information (author, title, publication details, etc.) for each source.
• Use abbreviations sparingly: Only use recognized abbreviations (e.g., vol. for volume, ed. for edited).
• Consult the MLA Handbook: For complex or unusual cases, refer to the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for detailed guidance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Inconsistent formatting: Ensure that your in-text citations and works-cited entries are consistent and adhere to MLA guidelines.
• Missing information: Always include all necessary details such as author, title, publication date, and page numbers.
• Incorrect punctuation: Pay close attention to punctuation, as it plays a crucial role in MLA formatting.
• Failure to alphabetize: Alphabetize your works-cited list correctly.
• Neglecting hanging indents: Use hanging indents in your works-cited list.
• Using outdated editions: Always refer to the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for the most current guidelines.

Examples of Complete Citations

To further illustrate how to cite letters in MLA format, here are a few complete examples:

Example 1: Personal Letter

In-text citation: (Doe, 15 May 2023)

Works-cited entry:

Doe, John. Letter to Jane Smith. 15 May 2023.

Example 2: Letter Found in an Archive

In-text citation: (Fitzgerald, 20 Aug. 1925)

Works-cited entry:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. Letter to Ernest Hemingway. 20 Aug. 1925. Princeton University Library, Princeton.

Example 3: Letter in a Collection

In-text citation: (Kafka, 25)

Works-cited entry:

Kafka, Franz. "Letter to his Father." Dearest Father. Stories and Other Writings, edited by Ernst Kaiser and Eithne Wilkins, Schocken Books, 1954, pp. 12-78.

Example 4: Letter Found Online

In-text citation: (Keats)

Works-cited entry:

Keats, John. "Letter to Fanny Brawne." The Keats Foundation, 13 Oct. 1819, . Accessed 22 June 2024.

Conclusion

Citing letters in MLA format requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines. By understanding the distinction between personal and published letters, and by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can accurately and effectively cite your sources. Remember to consult the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for any complex or unique situations. Consistent and accurate citation practices enhance the credibility of your work and demonstrate your commitment to academic integrity.