General Format:
(Author's Last Name, Act.Scene.Line Numbers).
Example:
(Shakespeare, 1.3.12-15).
Explanation:
* Author's Last Name: The last name of the playwright.
* Act.Scene.Line Numbers: These indicate the specific location within the play. Use periods to separate act, scene, and line numbers.
* Example: Act 1, Scene 3, lines 12-15 would be cited as (1.3.12-15).
Special Cases:
* Multiple Authors: If a play has multiple authors, list all last names in alphabetical order.
* No Line Numbers: If you're citing a general idea from the play and not a specific passage, you can omit the line numbers.
* Using "et al.": If there are three or more authors, you can shorten the citation to the first author's last name followed by "et al." For example: (Shakespeare et al., 1.3.12-15).
Additional Considerations:
* Citing Plays Within a Collection: If you're citing a play from a collection, you may need to include additional information such as the editor's name and the collection's title.
* Using Specific Editions: If your instructor or publication requires you to use a specific edition, be sure to include that information in your citation.
Examples:
* Quoting Hamlet: "To be, or not to be, that is the question." (Shakespeare, 3.1.55-56).
* Citing a general idea from The Crucible: Arthur Miller explores the dangers of mass hysteria in The Crucible. (Miller).
* Citing a play from an anthology: "The Importance of Being Earnest" (Wilde, in The Norton Anthology of Drama, Vol. 2, edited by Geraldine Harris, 1120-1172).
Remember: Always consult your instructor or style guide for specific citation requirements for your assignment.