Citing a movie poster in MLA style involves treating it as an artwork or image, emphasizing the poster’s visual nature and its role as a promotional item. The citation should clearly identify the poster’s source, focusing on the movie it represents and where you encountered the poster itself.
Understanding the Nuances of MLA Citation
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in humanities disciplines, and correctly citing your sources is crucial for academic integrity. When citing a movie poster, you’re essentially citing a visual artifact. This means understanding the various elements that contribute to its accurate attribution and proper presentation within your work. Failing to do so can lead to plagiarism or a misunderstanding of the poster’s context. We will explore these details, offering clarity and best practices for creating perfect citations.
Constructing Your MLA Citation for a Movie Poster
The basic format for citing a movie poster in MLA is as follows:
Title of Movie. Poster. Year of Release. Source.
Let’s break down each element:
- Title of Movie: This is the most important element. It should be italicized. Use the official title of the movie.
- Poster: This word identifies the item you are citing.
- Year of Release: Use the year the movie was originally released.
- Source: This is where you saw the poster. It could be a website, a book, or even a personal collection.
Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate how to apply the formula:
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Website: Casablanca. Poster. 1942. IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/mediaviewer/rm655712000/?ref=ttov_i. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
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Book: The Wizard of Oz. Poster. 1939. The Movie Poster Book, edited by Tony Nourmand and Graham Marsh, Aurum Press, 2004, p. 12.
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Personal Collection: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Poster. 1977. Personal collection of [Your Name], [City].
Notice the consistent format and the attention to detail in each example. The key is to provide enough information for your reader to find the poster and verify your source.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions that arise when citing movie posters in MLA style:
H3: Q1: What if the poster doesn’t list a specific artist?
If the poster doesn’t credit a specific artist, you can omit that element from the citation. MLA focuses on providing the available information in a standardized format.
H3: Q2: Do I need to include the publisher of the poster if it’s available?
While not strictly required, including the publisher can add clarity, especially for less common posters. Add the publisher after the year of release, before the source. Example: Citizen Kane. Poster. 1941. RKO Radio Pictures. Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CitizenKane#/media/File:CitizenKane_poster.jpg. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
H3: Q3: How do I cite a poster I saw in a physical museum or gallery?
If you viewed the poster in a museum or gallery, your source should be the museum or gallery’s name and location. Example: Metropolis. Poster. 1927. Museum of Modern Art, New York.
H3: Q4: What if I accessed the poster through a database (e.g., JSTOR, ProQuest)?
Cite the database name after the year of release, followed by the URL of the database’s homepage (not the specific image URL). Example: Psycho. Poster. 1960. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
H3: Q5: How do I cite a poster that I found on a social media platform like Pinterest?
While it’s generally best to find a more reputable source, if a social media platform is your only option, include the platform name and the URL of the specific pin or post. Example: Pulp Fiction. Poster. 1994. Pinterest, www.pinterest.com/pin/1234567890/. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024. Always prioritize academic databases or reliable online resources over social media when possible.
H3: Q6: What if the movie has a very long title?
You can shorten the title to a reasonable length, as long as the abbreviation is clear and recognizable. For instance, you might shorten “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” to “Dr. Strangelove.” Ensure the abbreviated title remains easily identifiable.
H3: Q7: Is it necessary to include the “Accessed” date if I found the poster online?
Yes, including the “Accessed” date is crucial for online sources, as URLs and content can change. It provides a snapshot of when you accessed the information.
H3: Q8: How do I format the citation on the “Works Cited” page?
The “Works Cited” page should be alphabetized by the first word of each entry, which in this case would be the title of the movie. Indent the second and subsequent lines of each entry (hanging indent).
H3: Q9: What if I’m citing multiple posters from the same movie?
If you’re citing multiple posters from the same movie (e.g., different international versions), create separate entries for each poster, differentiating them by adding a descriptive term in parentheses after the title. Example: Jaws (US Version). Poster. 1975. …; Jaws (International Version). Poster. 1975. …
H3: Q10: Can I use a citation generator for movie posters?
While citation generators can be helpful, they are not always accurate. Always double-check the generated citation against the MLA Handbook or a reliable MLA guide to ensure it is correct. Errors are common, particularly with nuanced elements like access dates and specific source information.
H3: Q11: How do I cite a poster within the body of my paper?
In the body of your paper, use a parenthetical citation with the movie title or a shortened version of the title and the year of release. For example: (Casablanca 1942). This corresponds to the full citation on your “Works Cited” page.
H3: Q12: Does the size or resolution of the poster image affect the citation process?
No, the size or resolution of the poster image does not affect the citation process. The citation focuses on the source of the poster, not its technical specifications. Focus on accurately identifying the source where you found the image.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of citing movie posters in MLA style is essential for academic integrity and scholarly communication. By following the guidelines outlined in this article and diligently applying the provided examples, you can confidently and accurately credit your sources, contributing to the credibility and professionalism of your work. Remember, meticulous attention to detail is key when presenting visual artifacts within your research.