How To Cite A Letter Mla

How to Cite a Letter in MLA Style: A Comprehensive Guide

Citing sources correctly is crucial for academic integrity. When you incorporate information from a letter into your research paper, you must cite it properly using MLA (Modern Language Association) style. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to cite a variety of letters in MLA format, covering different scenarios and complexities. We’ll explore various letter types, including personal letters, business letters, and letters published in archives or collections. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and ethical academic practice.

Understanding MLA Citation Basics

Before delving into the specifics of citing letters, let's refresh our understanding of core MLA citation principles. The core components of an MLA citation generally include:

• Author: The person or entity responsible for creating the letter.
• Title: The title of the letter (if available). Often, this will be the subject or a descriptive title you create.
• Source: Where the letter was found (e.g., an archive, collection, personal possession).
• Date: The date the letter was written.
• Container: The larger work containing the letter (e.g., a collection of letters, an archive).
• Publisher: The publisher of the container.
• Location: The location of the source (e.g., website URL, archive name and city).
• Date Accessed: The date you accessed the letter.

The specific elements needed will vary based on the type of letter and its accessibility.

Citing Different Types of Letters in MLA

Let's dissect how to cite several types of letters, providing clear examples to guide you:

1. Personal Letters in Private Possession

Personal letters, typically held in private collections, require a slightly different approach to citation. Since these are not easily accessible to the public, the focus is on providing enough detail for another researcher to potentially locate the letter if they had access to the same collection.

Example:

Smith, John. Letter to Jane Doe. 15 October 1888. Personal Collection of Mary Smith.

In this example:

• "Smith, John" is the author (the writer of the letter).
• "Letter to Jane Doe" is a descriptive title, since a formal title is unlikely.
• "15 October 1888" is the date.
• "Personal Collection of Mary Smith" specifies the location of the letter.

2. Letters Found in Published Collections or Archives

Letters included in books or accessible through online archives require more complete citation information. The container (the book or archive) is crucial here.

Example (Letter in a Published Collection):

Hemingway, Ernest. Letter to Gertrude Stein. 22 March 1930. The Letters of Ernest Hemingway, Volume 1, edited by Sandra Spanier, Cambridge University Press, 2011, pp. 125-128.

Here we see:

• "Hemingway, Ernest" is the author.
• "Letter to Gertrude Stein" is a descriptive title.
• "22 March 1930" is the date.
• "The Letters of Ernest Hemingway, Volume 1" is the title of the container (book).
• "edited by Sandra Spanier" indicates the editor.
• "Cambridge University Press" is the publisher.
• "2011, pp. 125-128" provides the publication date and page numbers.

Example (Letter in a Digital Archive):

Roosevelt, Franklin D. Letter to Winston Churchill. 12 August 1941. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, New York, www.fdrlibrary.org/ (accessed 15 October 2023).

This example highlights:

• "Roosevelt, Franklin D." as the author.
• "Letter to Winston Churchill" as a descriptive title.
• "12 August 1941" as the date.
• The specific archive's name and location.
• The URL and access date – essential for online sources.

3. Letters Published in Journals or Periodicals

If the letter is published as a standalone piece in a scholarly journal or magazine, cite it like any other journal article.

Example:

Jones, Mary. "An Open Letter to the Editor." The Literary Review, vol. 65, no. 2, Spring 2023, pp. 210-215.

This example shows a standard journal article citation format, but the title indicates a letter.

4. Business Letters

Business letters, while less commonly cited in academic papers, may be relevant in certain contexts (e.g., business history research). The citation will emphasize the sender and recipient, date, and possibly the subject of the letter if unclear from the content.

Example:

Acme Corporation. Letter to Beta Industries. 10 July 2022. Subject: Contract Negotiation. Personal Collection of David Miller.

This example is similar to a personal letter citation, adapted for a business context.

Handling Multiple Authors or Editors

If a letter has multiple authors (e.g., a jointly written letter), list them all in the order they appear on the letter. If a collection of letters has multiple editors, list them all similarly.

In-Text Citations for Letters

In the body of your essay, you will need to cite the letter using a brief parenthetical citation. This citation typically includes the author's last name and page number (if applicable).

Examples:

• For a letter in a published collection: (Hemingway 127)
• For a letter in a personal collection: (Smith)

Always maintain consistency between your in-text citation and the full citation in your Works Cited page.

Handling Unclear Information

Sometimes, crucial information may be missing from the letter or its source. In such cases, use the information you have, making notes about missing data (e.g., "[date unknown]"). Aim for the most accuracy possible.

The Importance of Accuracy in Letter Citations

Accurate citation of letters, like any source, is vital. Errors can undermine the credibility of your work and be construed as plagiarism. Double-check all details before submitting your paper.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Considerations

• Transcriptions: If you're citing a letter from a transcription, mention this in your citation. For example: (Hemingway, Letters, trans. Smith, 127).
• Multiple Letters from the Same Author: If you use multiple letters from the same author, you can shorten subsequent in-text citations (e.g., (Hemingway)).
• Unpublished Letters: For unpublished letters in archives, be as descriptive as possible to help others locate them.

Conclusion: Mastering MLA Letter Citations

Citing letters in MLA format requires careful attention to detail, varying according to the type and source of the letter. By following the guidelines outlined above and adapting them to your specific situation, you can ensure accurate and ethical citation practices in your academic writing. Remember, the core goal is to provide enough information for another researcher to easily find and verify your source material. Always consult the latest MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines and any specific updates to citation practices. Using these principles, you can confidently integrate letter-based evidence into your scholarly work while maintaining complete academic integrity.