Citing a eulogy may not be a common task, but it is essential for those who want to reference such a significant and heartfelt speech in their research papers or other written works. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to cite a eulogy, it's crucial to know how to do this properly using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format to ensure you give proper credit to the source. In this article, we'll guide you through the process, step by step, so you can confidently cite a eulogy in MLA format.
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Table of Contents
- Understanding the Basics of MLA Citation
- 1. Name the person who delivered the eulogy
- 2. Include the title of the eulogy (if available)
- 3. Note the occasion of the eulogy
- 4. Provide the date of the eulogy
- 5. Give the location of the event
- 6. Use an appropriate descriptor for the eulogy
- How to Cite a Eulogy in MLA Format
- Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the Basics of MLA Citation
The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation format is widely used in humanities and liberal arts. It provides a simple and uniform method for acknowledging sources that authors have consulted or quoted in their work. The basic components of an MLA citation generally include the author's name, the title of the work, the publication information, and the page number(s) where the source can be found.
How to Cite a Eulogy in MLA Format
Citing a eulogy in MLA format follows the same basic structure as citing any other speech or presentation. However, there are a few unique aspects that you need to consider when composing the citation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cite a eulogy in MLA format:
1. Name the person who delivered the eulogy
Begin the citation with the speaker's last name, followed by their first name. If there are multiple speakers, list them in the order they spoke, separated by commas.
2. Include the title of the eulogy (if available)
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If the eulogy has a specific title, include it in quotation marks. If there is no title, use a descriptive phrase like "Eulogy for [Deceased's Name]." This should be followed by a period.
3. Note the occasion of the eulogy
Identify the event where the eulogy was given, such as a funeral or memorial service. This should be followed by a comma.
4. Provide the date of the eulogy
Include the date the eulogy was delivered, in day-month-year format. Use abbreviations for the months (e.g., Jan., Feb., Mar.) and separate each element of the date with a space. Follow the date with a period.
5. Give the location of the event
Provide the name of the location where the eulogy was given, such as a church, funeral home, or cemetery, followed by a comma. Then, add the city and state or country of the location. This should be followed by a period.
6. Use an appropriate descriptor for the eulogy
Since a eulogy is a speech, include the descriptor "Address" at the end of the citation. This should be followed by a period.
How Do You Cite A Eulogy In Mla Example:
Imagine you want to cite a eulogy delivered by Jane Smith in honor of her beloved father, John Smith, at his funeral. The eulogy was titled "A Life Well Lived" and was given on May 15, 2020, at the Rosewood Funeral Home in Springfield, Illinois. Here's how the citation would appear in MLA format:
Smith, Jane. "A Life Well Lived." Eulogy for John Smith, 15 May 2020, Rosewood Funeral Home, Springfield, IL. Address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a eulogy?
A eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died. It is often delivered during a funeral or memorial service to reflect on the life and legacy of the deceased.
Why would I need to cite a eulogy in MLA format?
Citing a eulogy may be necessary if you are writing a paper or conducting research that references the content of the speech. MLA format guides you on how to properly acknowledge the source of your information in the humanities and liberal arts.
Where can I find the guidelines for citing in MLA format?
The Modern Language Association (MLA) publishes a style guide called the MLA Handbook, which provides detailed instructions for citation and formatting in MLA style. The latest edition is available in print and, often, online through educational institutions.
Can I cite a eulogy I attended in person?
Yes, you can cite a eulogy you attended in person. You would cite it as a personal communication or a speech, depending on the context in which you're referring to it in your work.
How do I cite a published eulogy in MLA style?
If the eulogy was published in a book, magazine, website, or any other medium, you would follow the MLA format for that particular source type, including the author, title of the eulogy, title of the publication, and other relevant publication details.
What information do I need to cite a live eulogy?
To cite a live eulogy, you need the name of the person who delivered the eulogy, the title if it has one, the date it was delivered, and the location at which it was delivered.
Does MLA require that I include the URL for an online eulogy?
Yes, if you are citing a eulogy accessed online, MLA style requires that you include the URL or DOI, where possible, as part of the citation.
How would I cite a eulogy given at a private funeral that I did not attend?
If you are referencing a eulogy from a private funeral you did not attend, you would generally need permission to use it and cite it as personal communication unless it has been made publicly accessible in some form.
Is it necessary to include the page number in the citation if the eulogy is from a printed source?
Yes, if you are citing from a printed source that is paginated and you refer to a specific part of the eulogy, you should include the page number in your in-text citation.
How do I create an in-text citation for a eulogy?
In-text citations for a eulogy in MLA format usually require the last name of the person who delivered the eulogy, followed by the page number if applicable, all enclosed in parentheses. If there is no author, you might use the title of the eulogy or a shortened version of it.
Should I italicize the title of a eulogy?
No, the title of a eulogy is not italicized in the citation. You should enclose it in quotation marks if it's part of a larger work or leave it unformatted if it stands alone.
How do I format a Works Cited entry for a eulogy in MLA style?
A Works Cited entry for a eulogy typically contains the speaker’s name, the title of the eulogy in quotation marks, the date of the eulogy, and the venue if applicable. If it's a published source, you would include publication details like the title of the source, publisher, date of publication, and the URL or page numbers.
What if I'm citing a video recording of a eulogy available online?
For a video recording, you would cite the speaker's name, the title of the eulogy, the website or platform where the video is hosted (e.g., YouTube), the uploader, the date the video was uploaded, and the URL.
How do I handle anonymous eulogies?
If a eulogy is anonymous, start with the title of the eulogy or a description. If it’s published online, follow the standard MLA citation format for web sources without an author.
Should I include the medium of publication for a eulogy?
Yes, MLA format generally requires you to include the medium of publication, such as “Web” for online sources, “Print” for printed materials, or “Lecture” for spoken eulogies.
How can I cite a eulogy accessed through an online academic database?
For an online academic database, include the name of the database in italics, the medium of access (Web), and the date of access.
What should I do if there is more than one speaker in the eulogy?
If there are multiple speakers, list them in the order they appear on the source, separated by commas, with "and" before the last speaker's name. Alternatively, you can use "et al." after the first speaker's name to indicate others were involved.
If a eulogy has a unique title, how do I reflect that in the citation?
If a eulogy has a unique title, place the title in quotation marks and capitalize it in headline style in your citation. Follow this with any container titles (such as a book or journal), if applicable.
How do I cite a eulogy that's been transcribed in a historical document?
For a transcribed eulogy in a historical document, cite the document similarly to a book. Include the editor or compiler's name if available, the title of the collection, the publication details, and the page range of the eulogy.
What if there's no official title for the eulogy?
If there is no official title, you can describe the content in square brackets to serve as a title. For example, [Eulogy for John Doe].
Is there a difference between citing a printed eulogy and one in a digital archive?
The fundamental elements of the citation are the same. However, for a digital archive, you would include the name of the database or archive, the medium (Web), and the date of access in your citation.
Can I cite a eulogy directly from a funeral program?
Yes, you can cite a eulogy from a funeral program. Treat the program as you would a pamphlet or brochure, including the relevant details such as the name of the deceased, the title of the program if any, the date of the service, and the name of the funeral home or location of the service if known.
In conclusion, citing a eulogy in MLA format requires attention to detail and an understanding of the basic components of MLA citation. Now that you've learned how to properly cite a eulogy, you can respectfully include this emotional and touching speech in your written work with the confidence that you're giving proper credit to the source. If you found this guide helpful, please consider sharing it with others who may need assistance with their citations. Additionally, be sure to explore our other guides and resources available on Eulogy Assistant to help you with all your funeral-related writing needs.