Ever tried pulling a perfect MLA citation for a classic like Night by Elie Wiesel and felt like you’d need a cheat sheet?
You’re not alone. The book is a staple in literature classes, but the formatting rules can trip anyone up. Below is a quick‑look guide that will have you citing like a pro—no more “I’m not sure if I need the translator’s name” moments Small thing, real impact..
What Is “Night” by Elie Wiesel?
Night is an autobiographical account of Elie Wiesel’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. It’s a raw, powerful narrative that follows the author from his hometown in Sighet (now Romania) through Auschwitz, Buna, and finally the forced march to Buchenwald. The book is usually read in high school and college literature courses, and it’s also a frequent subject of discussion in Holocaust studies That's the whole idea..
The book was originally written in French, La Nuit, and first published in 1958. Which means the English translation that most readers know was done by Joseph B. Soloveitchik and published in 1960. Knowing the original language and translation details is key when you’re putting together an MLA citation Worth keeping that in mind..
Why It Matters / Why People Care
You might ask, “Why does the exact format of a citation matter?”
Because MLA style is the lingua franca of humanities writing. A correct citation:
- Gives credit where credit’s due.
- Lets readers locate the source quickly.
- Keeps your paper from looking sloppy or unprofessional.
And honestly, a sloppy citation can make a good argument look less credible.
How to Cite Night in MLA (8th & 9th Editions)
1. Identify the Publication Details
| Element | Typical Value for Night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Author | Elie Wiesel | The author’s last name first, then first name. |
| Title of Book | Night | Italicize. That said, |
| Translator | Joseph B. Soloveitchik | Only if you’re citing the translated version. And |
| Publisher | Hill & Wang | The name of the publishing house that released the edition you used. |
| Publication Year | 1960 (first edition) | If you’re using a later edition, use that year instead. |
| Format | For ebooks, add “Web” and the URL or DOI. |
2. The Basic MLA Format (Print)
Wiesel, Elie. Night. Hill & Wang, 1960 The details matter here..
That’s it—just a handful of words, but each one has a place.
3. Adding a Translator
If you’re citing the translated version (which you probably are), the translator gets a spot after the title:
Wiesel, Elie. Worth adding: Night. Practically speaking, translated by Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Hill & Wang, 1960.
4. When You Use a Different Edition
If you’re pulling from a 2005 paperback, for example, replace the publisher and year:
Wiesel, Elie. Worth adding: translated by Joseph B. But Night. Soloveitchik, Penguin Books, 2005.
5. Citing an Ebook
Ebooks have a slightly different format. Add the medium and the URL or DOI:
Wiesel, Elie. Night. Translated by Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Hill & Wang, 1960. Kindle eBook, https://www.amazon.com/Night-Elie-Wiesel/dp/B0000 Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
6. In‑Text Citations
For a paraphrase or a direct quote, the in‑text citation is simple:
(Wiesel 45)
If you’re quoting a specific page, use the page number. If you’re referencing the whole book, you can just use the author’s name.
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
- Skipping the translator – the translator is part of the creative process, so omit them only if you’re using the original French edition.
- Using the wrong publisher – double‑check the edition you have. Some reprints list “Penguin” or “Oxford” as the publisher.
- Forgetting italics – the title must be italicized; the rest is plain text.
- Mixing up the order – it’s always Author. Title. Translator, Publisher, Year.
- Adding unnecessary details – page numbers go only in the in‑text citation, not the Works Cited entry.
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
- Use the citation you see in the book – many editions have their own citation at the back. Copy that; it’s usually spot‑on.
- Check the MLA Handbook – the 9th edition has a handy table for books.
- Save a citation template – create a quick‑copyable line in your word processor so you never have to type it from scratch.
- Double‑check the translator’s name – it’s Joseph B. Soloveitchik, not Soloveitchik alone.
- If you’re unsure about the edition, look at the copyright page; that’s where the publisher and year are listed.
FAQ
Q: Do I need the translator’s name if I’m citing a French edition?
A: No. Only include the translator if you’re using a translated version.
Q: What if I’m using a 2019 edition?
A: Replace the publisher and year with the correct ones:
Wiesel, Elie. Night. Translated by Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Penguin Books, 2019.
Q: How do I cite a chapter I read online?
A: Treat it as an ebook:
Wiesel, Elie. Night. Translated by Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Hill & Wang, 1960. Kindle eBook, https://link.
Q: Should I include the ISBN?
A: No, MLA does not require an ISBN in the citation Not complicated — just consistent..
Q: Is it okay to abbreviate the publisher?
A: Only if the publisher’s name is commonly abbreviated (e.g., HarperCollins → HarperCollins). Otherwise, write it out.
So next time you’re pulling up Night for your paper, you’ll know exactly how to put the citation together: author, title, translator, publisher, year, and format if it’s an ebook. A solid MLA citation not only respects the author’s work but also keeps your own writing sharp. Happy citing!
Worth pausing on this one Simple as that..
Advanced Tweaks (When You Want to Go the Extra Mile)
Even though the basic entry covers most classroom assignments, there are a few edge‑cases where you’ll need to add a bit more detail. Below are the most common “what‑if” scenarios and how to handle them without breaking MLA style But it adds up..
| Situation | How to Adjust the Entry |
|---|---|
| You consulted a reprint that includes a new introduction | Add the introduction author after the title, preceded by “Intro. Edited by Sarah L. And by. Night. <br><br>Wiesel, Elie. |
| You are citing a chapter from an anthology that reprints Night | Treat the anthology as the container and list the chapter title in quotation marks.Night. On the flip side, ” Holocaust Literature Today, edited by Miriam J. Night. In real terms, ` |
| The edition you used is a critical edition with an editor | Include the editor after the title, using “edited by. Translated by Joseph B. “Night.Miller, translated by Joseph B. ` |
| A revised translation was released after the original | Note the revision after the translator’s name.”<br><br>Wiesel, Elie. Soloveitchik, revised edition, Penguin Books, 2018.Soloveitchik, Hill & Wang, 2005.So ”<br><br>Wiesel, Elie. <br><br>Wiesel, Elie. Gold, translated by Joseph B. Which means <br><br>Wiesel, Elie. Microfilm.Soloveitchik, Hill & Wang, 1960. On top of that, translated by Joseph B. Intro. ` |
| You accessed a microfilm version | Identify the medium at the end of the citation.Klein, HarperCollins, 2021, pp. Soloveitchik, Penguin Books, 2022.Night. by Michael B. 112‑138. |
Pro tip: When you add any of these extra elements, keep the punctuation consistent—commas separate each major component, and periods close the entire citation Most people skip this — try not to..
Quick‑Reference Cheat Sheet
Copy and paste the following block into your notes app. Replace the placeholders (in bold) with the specifics of your copy.
LastName, FirstName. *Title of Book*. TranslatorFirstName TranslatorLastName, Publisher, Year. Format.
Example (print, English translation):
Wiesel, Elie. *Night*. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Penguin Books, 2019. Print.
Example (Kindle ebook):
Wiesel, Elie. *Night*. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Penguin Books, 2019. Kindle eBook, https://doi.org/xxxx.
The Bottom Line
Citing Night correctly is less about memorizing a string of rules and more about understanding the logic behind each piece of information:
- Who created the original work? – Author.
- What is the work? – Title (italicized).
- Who helped bring it to your language? – Translator (if applicable).
- Who made that particular version available? – Publisher.
- When was that version released? – Year.
- How did you access it? – Print, ebook, microfilm, etc.
When you can answer those six questions, you’ve got everything you need for a flawless MLA citation.
Conclusion
A clean, accurate MLA citation for Elie Wiesel’s Night does more than satisfy a professor’s checklist; it acknowledges the author’s voice, the translator’s craft, and the publisher’s role in preserving a central piece of history. By following the straightforward structure outlined above—and by double‑checking the small details that often trip students up—you’ll produce citations that are both professional and respectful Simple as that..
So the next time you open Night to explore the harrowing testimony of a Holocaust survivor, you can focus on the content, confident that the mechanics of attribution are already taken care of. Happy reading, and even happier citing!
