How to Cite a Book
When citing a book, start with the title (capitalized), editor, page range, location, and publisher name. Then, provide the year of publication in parentheses.
If the book includes a DOI number, also have that information in the reference. The format is the same for print books and ebooks.
Title
The book’s title is crucial to the citation and can determine whether a reader will choose to read your work. So, make sure you pick one that is clear, compelling, and easy to find.
Avoid titles filled with homophones, archaic words, or confusing language. This will cause new readers difficulty finding your book online and won’t do your marketing efforts any favors.
To cite the title of a chapter, essay, or short story in periodical references, follow it with the publisher’s name and the year it was published. You must also list the edition number in parentheses following the book title and the first-page number to the last page number unless the publication date is in the body of the text or the work’s title is italicized.
Finally, the book’s title should not be identical to any other book. Even if the other book isn’t famous, having an identically named book can hurt your discoverability.
Author(s)
Books are written works or compositions published and can be found in print or online. They are a popular source for research, especially in the classroom.
When citing a book, you must include the author(s) and year of publication. If the author(s) is the same in every parenthetical in-text citation, only have the year when the reference is repeated in a paragraph or within a single line of text.
For books with a chapter, cite the author of the chapter first. This is followed by the date of publication and page numbers for direct quotes.
For books that are edited with one or more editors, use the basic format of a book reference but add “Ed.” for one editor or “Eds.” for multiple editors in parentheses after the book title.
Related Article: How to Cite a Book
Publisher
Publishers are companies or organizations that print books and other media, including newspapers. They can be large or small. Often, they are responsible for several different projects and authors.
A book may be published in paperback, hardcover, or both. Regardless of the publishing format, the book’s title, publisher, and place of publication should appear on the cover or first few pages.
If you are citing an edited book, the name of the overall editor or editors should be listed first. Next, the individual authors and their contributions should be listed.
List each one’s last name and first initial if multiple editors exist. Then, the book title and page number/s should be included. Include the volume numbers in your citation if the book contains numerous volumes. You can also have the edition information for a single volume in your source. In addition, you can cite the DOI for an entire book or a chapter when it is available.
Date
Books are a popular source for research. They’re also easy to cite, both in print and digital format.
When citing a book, include the author’s last name, year of publication, title, and publisher. If the book has a DOI or URL, add it after the publisher.
If the book is re-released with a new foreword, you should include both the original release date and the recent opening date. This will help the reader to locate the correct edition.
In general, the date of publication is essential. However, it’s not always straightforward. Looking for clues, such as a dated inscription, can be helpful.
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