Use MLA, APA, or Chicago Style to Cite Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Citing Sir Gawain and the Green Knight depends on the style guide (MLA, APA, or Chicago). Include the poet's name (if known), title, translator/editor (if applicable), publisher, year, and line numbers for in-text citations. Use italics for the title and format entries with proper indentation.

Key Citation Elements

  • Author: Often listed as "Pearl Poet" or "Gawain Poet" (anonymous).
  • Title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (italicized).
  • Version: Translator/editor (e.g., J.R.R. Tolkien, Simon Armitage).
  • Source: Book, anthology, or website (with URL if online).
  • Line Numbers: Required for in-text citations (e.g., lines 100-105).

Citation Formats by Style

MLA (9th Edition)

Works Cited Entry:

Pearl Poet. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translated by [Name], Publisher, Year.

In-Text Citation:

(Pearl Poet, lines 150-155)

APA (7th Edition)

Reference Entry:

Pearl Poet. (Year). Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Name, Trans.). Publisher. (Original work published c. 1400)

In-Text Citation:

(Pearl Poet, 1390/Year, lines 150-155)

Chicago (17th Edition)

Bibliography Entry:

Pearl Poet. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Translated by [Name]. Place: Publisher, Year.

Footnote/Endnote:

1. Pearl Poet, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, trans. [Name] (Place: Publisher, Year), lines 150-155.

Comparison of Citation Styles

Style Works Cited/References Format In-Text Citation Example Notes
MLA Pearl Poet. Title, translated by [Name], Publisher, Year. (Pearl Poet, lines 150-155) Italicize title; include line numbers.
APA Pearl Poet. (Year). Title (Name, Trans.). Publisher. (Original work c. 1400) (Pearl Poet, 1390/Year, lines 150-155) Add original publication date for classic works.
Chicago Pearl Poet. Title. Translated by [Name]. Place: Publisher, Year. ¹ Pearl Poet, Title, lines 150-155. Use footnotes; italicize title.

Special Cases

Online or Anthology Sources

  • Online: Add URL/DOI (MLA/APA) or accessed date (Chicago). Example:
    Pearl Poet. (Year). Title. Website. URL
  • Anthology: Cite the anthology editor and page numbers:
    Pearl Poet. "Sir Gawain..." in Anthology Title, edited by [Name], Publisher, Year, pp. XX-XX.

No Translator/Editor

Omit the translator/editor if citing the original Middle English text. Use:

Pearl Poet. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Publisher, Year.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ❌ Forgetting to italicize the title.
  • ❌ Omitting line numbers in in-text citations.
  • ❌ Using "Anonymous" instead of "Pearl Poet."
  • ❌ Missing the original publication date in APA.
  • ❌ Incorrect capitalization (e.g., sir gawain instead of Sir Gawain).