essay within a book citation

Chicago/Turabian Citation

• Citing a Book

Basic Chapter Citation

Example chapter of a book, example chapter of an ebook, example foreword/preface of a book.

• Citing an Article
• Citing a Webpage
• Additional Resources

Writing Center

Visit the Writing Center for help with brainstorming, organization, revising, citations, and other writing assistance! 

• Every Monday: Saurwein 232
• Tuesday-Sunday in Campus Center 313: The Owen Center

Regular Writing Center Hours:

• Monday-Friday 12:00PM-7:00PM
• Sundays 12:00PM-5:00PM

Book an appointment  with a Writing Center consultant. 

Footnote/Endnote

Author First M. Last Name, "Chapter or Essay Title," in  Book Title , ed. First M. Last Name (Place of Publication: Publisher, date), page cited.

Short version: Author Last Name, "Chapter or Essay Title (shortened if necessary)," page cited.

Bibliography

Author Last Name, First M.   "Chapter or Essay Title."  In  Book Title ,   edited by First M. Last Name,  page range.   Place of Publication: Publisher, date.

Eric Charry, "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa," in  The History of Islam in Africa , eds. Nehwmia Levtzion and Randall L. Pouwels  (Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 2000), 550.

Short version: Charry, "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa," 550.

Charry, Eric.   "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa."  In  The History of Islam in Africa ,   edited by Nehwmia Levtzion and Randall L. Pouwels,   545-573.   Athens, OH: Ohio  University Press, 2000.

Alan Liu, "Where is Cultural Criticism in the Digital Humanities?," in  Debates in the Digital Humanities , ed. Matthew K. Gold (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2013), accessed January 23, 2014,  http://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/debates/text/20. 

Short version: Liu, "Where is Cultural Criticism."

Liu, Alan.  "Where is Cultural Criticism in the Digital Humanities?."   In  Debates in the Digital Humanities ,   edited by Matthew K. Gold.   Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2013.   A ccessed January 23, 2014.   http://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/debates/text/20. 

Strobe Talbott, foreword to   Beyond Tianamen: The Politics of U.S.-China Relations 1989-2000 , by Robert L. Suettinger (Washington, D. C.: Brookings Institute Press, 2003), x.

Short version: Talbott, foreword, x.

Talbott, Strobe.   Foreword to   Beyond Tianamen: The Politics of U.S.-China Relations 1989-2000 ,   by Robert L. Suettinger,  ix-x.   Washington, D. C.: Brookings Institute  Press, 2003.

• << Previous: Citing a Book
• Next: Citing an Article >>
• Last Updated: Sep 30, 2022 12:44 PM
• URL: https://libguides.heidelberg.edu/chicago

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Cite an Article Inside of a Book

Last Updated: April 17, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 265,023 times. Learn more...

Generally, when you use an article or essay published in a book as a source, you list the author and title of the article first. The title and editor of the book, along with publishing information, will make up the rest of your citation. The specific format of your citation varies depending on whether you're using the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or Chicago style.

• Example: Charry, Eric.

• Example: Charry, Eric. "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa."

• Example: Charry, Eric. "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa." The History of Islam in Africa , edited by Nehwmia Levtzion and Randall L. Pouwels.

• A standard MLA citation includes: Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Book , edited by First Name Last Name. Publisher, year, pp. ##-##.
• Example: Charry, Eric. "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa." The History of Islam in Africa , edited by Nehwmia Levtzion and Randall L. Pouwels. Ohio University Press, 2000, pp. 545-573.

• Example: "When communities converted to Islam, many traditional songs were changed to incorporate references to the religion (Charry 546)."
• If you use the author's name in the text of your paper, you don't have to include it in the parenthetical citation. For example: "According to Charry, communities incorporated references to Islam in traditional songs after converting to the religion (546).

• Example: Berry, W.

• Example: Berry, W. (2005).

• Example: Berry, W. (2005). War does not maintain peace or promote freedom.

• Example: Berry, W. (2005). War does not maintain peace or promote freedom. In L. I. Gerdes (Ed.),

• Example: Berry, W. (2005). War does not maintain peace or promote freedom. In L. I. Gerdes (Ed.), War: Opposing viewpoints (pp. 71-79).

• A standard APA reference includes: Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Article or essay title. In First Initial Last Name (Ed.), Book title: Subtitle (pp. ##-##). Place of publication: Publisher.
• Example: Berry, W. (2005). War does not maintain peace or promote freedom. In L. I. Gerdes (Ed.), War: Opposing viewpoints (pp. 71-79). Detroit, MI: Greenhouse Press.

• Example: "When nations go to war to defend freedom, their citizens become less free (Berry, 2005)."
• If you include the name of the author in your text, you don't have to include it in your parenthetical citation. Place a parenthetical with the year immediately after the author's name. For example: "Berry (2005) argued that the process of militarization reduces freedom to the extent that war and freedom are incompatible.

• Example: Andriewsky, Olga.

• Example: Andriewsky, Olga. "The Paradoxes of Reform: Higher Education in Post-Soviet Ukraine."

• Example: Andriewsky, Olga. "The Paradoxes of Reform: Higher Education in Post-Soviet Ukraine." In Society in Transition: Social Change in Ukraine in Western Perspectives , edited by Wsevolod Isajiw, 239-268.

• A standard Chicago bibliography entry includes: Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." In Book Title , edited by First Name Last Name, ##-##. Place of Publication: Publisher, year.
• Example: Andriewsky, Olga. "The Paradoxes of Reform: Higher Education in Post-Soviet Ukraine." In Society in Transition: Social Change in Ukraine in Western Perspectives , edited by Wsevolod Isajiw, 239-268. Toronto, CA: Canadian Scholars' Press, 2003.

• In Chicago style, the information included in the footnote does not change if you mention the author's name, or any other citation information, in the text of your paper.
• Standard Chicago footnotes include: First Name Last Name, "Article Title," in Book Title , edited by First Name Last Name (Place of Publication: Publisher, year), ##.
• Example: Olga Andriewsky, "The Paradoxes of Reform: Higher Education in Post-Soviet Ukraine," in Society in Transition: Social Change in Ukraine in Western Perspectives , edited by Wsevolod Isajiw (Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press, 2003), 255.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://uscmed.sc.libguides.com/c.php?g=484371&p=3313032
• ↑ https://utica.libguides.com/c.php?g=703243&p=4991646
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/reference-guide.pdf
• ↑ https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/APA/book-chapter
• ↑ https://libguides.tru.ca/chicago/book-chapter
• ↑ http://libguides.heidelberg.edu/chicago/book/chapter

About This Article

To cite an article inside of a book using MLA format, start by writing the author's last name, then add a comma. Next, write their first name and add a period. In quotation marks, enclose the title of the article you are citing, followed by a period. Then, in italics, write the name of the book, add a comma, write "edited by," and include the name of the editor. After a period, conclude with the name of the book's publisher, along with the year and the relevant page numbers, separated by commas. Alternatively, if you want to do an in-text citation, provide the author's name and page number in parentheses at the end of the line, before the period. For more advice, like how to cite an article inside of a book in APA format, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Terri Smith

Apr 17, 2017

Did this article help you?

Oct 13, 2017

Jun 7, 2023

Allie Blank

May 19, 2020

Ashley Rogers

Sep 28, 2018

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

APA Citation Style, 7th edition: Article or Chapter in an Edited Book

• General Style Guidelines
• One Author or Editor
• Two Authors or Editors
• Three to Five Authors or Editors

Article or Chapter in an Edited Book

• Article in a Reference Book
• Edition other than the First
• Translation
• Government Publication
• Journal Article with 1 Author
• Journal Article with 2 Authors
• Journal Article with 3–20 Authors
• Journal Article 21 or more Authors
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Article
• Basic Web Page
• Web page from a University site
• Web Page with No Author
• Entry in a Reference Work
• Government Document
• Film and Television
• Youtube Video
• Audio Podcast
• Electronic Image
• Twitter/Instagram
• Lecture/PPT
• Conferences
• Secondary Sources
• Citation Support
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Formatting Your Paper

About Citing Books

For each type of source in this guide, both the general form and an example will be provided.

The following format will be used:

In-Text Citation (Paraphrase) - entry that appears in the body of your paper when you express the ideas of a researcher or author using your own words.  For more tips on paraphrasing check out The OWL at Purdue .

In-Text Citation (Quotation) - entry that appears in the body of your paper after a direct quote.

References - entry that appears at the end of your paper.

Information on citing and several of the examples were drawn from the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

Numbers in parentheses refer to specific pages in the manual.

Subject Guide

• << Previous: Three to Five Authors or Editors
• Next: Article in a Reference Book >>

• Last Updated: Feb 6, 2024 11:45 AM
• URL: https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/APA

• Himmelfarb Intranet
• Privacy Notice
• Terms of Use
• GW is committed to digital accessibility. If you experience a barrier that affects your ability to access content on this page, let us know via the Accessibility Feedback Form .
• Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library
• 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037
• Phone: (202) 994-2850
• [email protected]
• https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu

How do I cite an authored work contained in another authored work, like an essay in a textbook?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

To cite an essay with an author in a textbook with authors rather than editors, follow the MLA format template and list the authors of the textbook in the “Other contributors” slot:

Graff, Gerald. “Disliking Books.”  From Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Practical Guide , by Stuart Greene and April Lidinsky, 2nd ed., Bedford / St. Martin’s, 2012, pp. 22-26.

• Spartanburg Community College Library
• SCC Research Guides
• Citing Part of a Book or Ebook

Citing Part of a Book or Ebook (Print or Electronic)

When you use a book source for research, you do not always need to use the entire book. Sometimes, you will only use a certain chapter or section of a book for your research. Other times, you will find short stories and poems in a larger book, but only need to cite one short story or poem. Below are some other examples of parts of books that you might need to cite instead of the book as a whole:

• Book chapters
• Short Stories
• Multi-volume Book
• Help Resources

Basic Format

Format:  Author(s). "Title of Part."  Title of Book in Italics , edited by Editor, edition, vol. #, Publisher, Year,  page number(s).  Database Name  in Italics  (if electronic),  URL.

*Note:  If citing a play or novel, italicize title instead of using quotation marks. *Note:  If piece is a single page, use:  p.  for page number; if article is multiple pages, use:  pp. *Note:  If   citation includes edition, it should be abbreviated to ed., *Note:  If book is part of a series, you may include the series name at the end of your citation.  See MLA handbook p. 52. 

Print Book Examples:

Example 1 :  Sanchez, Liz. "How Zoos Help Preserve the World's Species for the Future."  The Writer's Mindset,  edited by Lisa Wright Hoeffner, McGraw Hill, 2022, pp. 523-24.

Example 2 :  Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour."  The Norton Introduction to Literature , edited by Kelly J. Mays, shorter 14th ed., W. W. Norton, 2022, pp. 582-84.

Ebook Example:

Example :  Hennessy, Michael. “Sinking the Titanic.”  Critical Survey of Poetry , edited by Frank Magill, 2nd ed., vol. 1, Harvard UP, 1991, pp. 80-89.  Literature Resource Center,  www.gale.com/databases/literature-resource-center/titanic/6384629.

*Note : You can usually omit the http:// unless needed to hyperlink.

*Note:  For URLs longer than 3 lines, you can shorten the URL. Always retain the host (main website) of the URL.

Multi-Volume Work (where volume have titles, etc.)

Format:  Author(s).  Title of Work .  Title of Book , edited by Editor of Volume, page number(s).  Title of Multivolume Set , general editor, Editor's Name, edition, vol. #, Publisher, Year of Publication, number of volumes.

*Note:  Title of Work is italicized for plays, novels, and other long works (like Beowulf). For short stories, poems, etc. put the title in quotation marks.

Example:  Berger, André. “Climate Model Simulations of the Geological Past.”  The Earth System: Physical and Chemical Dimensions of Global Environmental Change , edited by Michael C. MacCracken and John S. Perry, pp. 296-301.  Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change , general editor, Ted Munn, 2nd ed., vol. 1, Wiley, 2002. 5 vols.

Explanation:  In the example above,  The Earth System  is the title of the first volume of the  Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change . In this case, we are treating the volume as the first container, and the encyclopedia as the second container. This comes from the MLA Style website's entry for  multi-volume works .

E-Textbooks

Example:  Delgado, Tierra. "A Food Pantry Worth Admiring."  The Writers Mindset,  edited by Lisa Wright Hoeffner, McGraw Hill, 2022, pp. 195-98.  Connect , mheducation.com.

PDF from D2L

*Note:  This citation should only be used when citing a PDF that is only found in D2L. Do not use this citation for anything in D2L that is linked out to another website or database.

*Note:  If your instructor gives any original publication information for the source, include the original publication information in your citation.

Example:   Jackson, Shirley. "The Lottery." Course Material for English 285: American Short Story Writers, compiled by Anne Smith, spring 2022, Spartanburg Community College.  D2L , d2l.sccsc.edu/d2l/le/content/909183/viewContent/8746820/View. Accessed 14 Feb. 2022.

Helpful Resources

• Where to Find Citation Information in a Book This guide will walk you through where to find citation information for a book source.
• Online MLA Handbook Information on Citing a Book This links you to the section in the MLA Handbook on citing a book.
• How to Cite Part of a Book in MLA Format This downloadable worksheet will break down how to cite a specific section (chapter, essay, poem, etc.) from a book. [Microsoft Word document]
• << Previous: Citing a Book or Ebook
• Next: Citing an Encyclopedia >>
• Online MLA Handbook This link opens in a new window
• Formatting the Author and Title
• Container Punctuation
• Citing a Book or Ebook
• Citing an Encyclopedia
• Citing a Journal Article
• Citing an Article Written for a Database
• Citing a Magazine or Newspaper Article
• Citing an Interview/Podcast
• Citing a Website
• Citing a Video
• Citing Social Media
• Citing Images in a Project
• Citing Artistic Works/Performances
• Citing a Play
• Citing a Poem
• In-text Citations
• Formatting Your Word Document
• MLA Handouts
• MLA Workshop (video, Feb. 2022)
• MLA - Getting Started (Basic Tutorial)
• Annotated Bibliography

Questions? Ask a Librarian

• Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024 9:21 AM
• URL: https://libguides.sccsc.edu/MLA

Giles Campus | 864.592.4764 | Toll Free 866.542.2779 | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Spartanburg Community College. All rights reserved.

Info for Library Staff | Guide Search

Return to SCC Website

Discover top guides, trends, tips and expertise from AIO Writers

How to Cite a Book in APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles

Julia McCoy

You’ve just finished writing an amazing paper, but now you’re stuck on how to cite a book. Sound familiar?

Citing books can be tricky, especially with different styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago. One missed period or comma can make your citations go from A+ to a big fat zero.

But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. In this guide, you’ll learn how to cite a book like a pro, step-by-step.

No more stressing over citations, just smooth sailing from here on out.

Table Of Contents:

How to cite a book in apa style, how to cite a book in mla format, how to cite a book in chicago style, tips for avoiding plagiarism when citing books, additional resources for citing books, faqs – how to cite a book.

One of the most popular ways to cite a book is APA style.

Let’s start with the basics. The core elements you’ll need for an APA book citation are the author’s name, the publication year, the book title, and the publisher.

Here’s what the format looks like:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Publication Date. Book Title. Publisher.

In-Text Citations for Books in APA

Now, let’s talk about in-text citations. Whenever you quote or paraphrase from a book, you’ll need to include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you’re quoting directly, toss in the page number too.

Here’s what it looks like:

(Author’s Last Name, Year Published)

For example: (Smith, 2020)

If you’re quoting, just add the page number:

(Author’s Last Name, Year Published, Page Number)

Like this: (Smith, 2020, p. 42)

Citing a Book with Multiple Authors

What if your book has multiple authors?

Just list them in the same order as they appear in the book, and use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.

Here’s the format:

Author 1’s Last Name, First Initial., & Author 2’s Last Name, First Initial. (Publication Year). Book Title. Publisher.

For instance:

Smith, J., Johnson, M., & Lee, K. (2020). The Complete Guide to Citing Books . Citation Press.

Just remember, the APA Publication Manual is your friend. When in doubt, consult the manual or check out the APA Style website for more examples and guidelines.

Alright, let’s switch gears and talk about how to cite a book in MLA format . I know, I know – it’s like learning a whole new language. But stick with me, and we’ll have you citing like a pro in no time.

Standard Book Citation in MLA

In MLA style , your book citation will include the author’s name, the book title, the publisher, and the publication year.

Here’s the basic format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Publisher, Publication Year.

For example:

Smith, John. The Art of Citing Books . Citation Press, 2020.

Citing an E-book in MLA

Now, I know what you’re thinking – what about e-books?

Citing an e-book in MLA is pretty similar to citing a print book. If you accessed it online, add the e-book format (like Kindle or EPUB) or the DOI/URL.

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Book Title. E-book format, Publisher, Publication Year.

Smith, John. The Art of Citing Books . Kindle ed., Citation Press, 2020.

Referencing a Chapter in an Edited Book

Okay, let’s tackle one more MLA scenario – citing a chapter in an edited book.

You’ll need the chapter author’s name, the chapter title, the book editor’s name, the book title, the publisher, the publication year, and the chapter’s page range.

Here’s how to cite a chapter in a book:

Chapter Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Chapter Title.” Book Title, edited by Editor’s First Name Last Name, Publisher, Publication Year, pp. Page range.

Johnson, Sarah. “The Art of the Citation.” The Complete Guide to Citing Books , edited by John Smith, Citation Press, 2020, pp. 101-123.

Phew. That was a lot, but you’ve got this. Just keep your trusty MLA Handbook nearby, and you’ll be citing like a champ in no time.

Last but not least, let’s talk about citing books in Chicago style. I promise it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, once you get the hang of it, you might even prefer the Chicago style over the others.

Notes and Bibliography System for Books in Chicago Style

In Chicago’s notes and bibliography system, you’ll cite books in footnotes or endnotes and then include a corresponding entry in your bibliography.

Here’s what the footnote citation looks like:

Author’s First Name Last Name, Book Title (Publication Place: Publisher, Year), Page number(s).

John Smith, The Art of Citing Books (New York: Citation Press, 2020), 42.

In your bibliography, the entry will look slightly different:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Book Title . Publication Place: Publisher, Year.

Smith, John. The Art of Citing Books . New York: Citation Press, 2020.

Author-Date System for Books in Chicago Style

If you’re using Chicago’s author-date system, your in-text citations will include the author’s last name, the publication year, and the page number (if quoting directly). Meanwhile, your reference list entry will have the author’s name, publication year, book title, and publication info.

In-text citation:

Author’s Last Name Year, Page number

For instance: (Smith 2020, 42)

Reference list entry:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Year. Book Title. Publication Place: Publisher.

Smith, John. 2020. The Art of Citing Books . New York: Citation Press.

Common Exceptions When Citing Books in Chicago

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules. Here are a few common ones to keep in mind when citing books in Chicago style:

• For books with multiple authors, list them in the same order as they appear on the title page. In your bibliography, only invert the first author’s name.
• If you’re citing an edited book, add “edited by” and the editor’s name after the book title.
• For translated books, include “translated by” and the translator’s name after the book title.
• If you’re citing an e-book, add the e-book format or DOI/URL after the publication information.

When in doubt, always refer to the Chicago Manual of Style for the most up-to-date guidelines and examples.

Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – plagiarism. As someone who’s been in the academic trenches, I know how important it is to give credit where credit is due. Here are some tips to help you avoid those dreaded plagiarism pitfalls when citing books.

Properly Paraphrasing from Books

First up, let’s talk about paraphrasing. When you’re putting a book’s ideas into your own words, it’s crucial to do it right. Here’s how:

• Read the original passage several times to make sure you fully understand it.
• Put the book aside and write your paraphrase from memory.
• Compare your paraphrase to the original to ensure you haven’t accidentally copied any phrases word-for-word.
• Always, always, always cite your source.

Trust me, taking the time to properly paraphrase will save you a world of headaches down the road.

Quoting Directly from Books

Now, let’s talk about direct quotes. Sometimes, you just need to use the author’s exact words to make your point. When you do, keep these tips in mind:

• Use quotation marks around the borrowed text.
• Only quote what you need to make your point – don’t go overboard.
• Always include an in-text citation with the author’s name, publication year, and page number.
• Make sure to smoothly integrate the quote into your writing.

Remember, the key is to use direct quotes sparingly and to always give proper credit.

What Not to Do

Finally, let’s go over some common citation mistakes that can lead to accidental plagiarism errors:

• Forgetting to include in-text citations for paraphrased or quoted material.
• Copying passages word-for-word without using quotation marks.
• Patchwork paraphrasing – just swapping out a few words here and there from the original.
• Not including a complete citation in your reference list or bibliography.

The best way to avoid these mistakes? Double-check your work and use a plagiarism checker like Turnitin before submitting your paper.

Citing books may seem like a daunting task, but with these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be a pro in no time.

Phew, we’ve covered a lot of ground today. But before we wrap up, I want to leave you with some additional resources to make citing books a breeze.

Online Citation Generators for Books

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to generate book citations, there are plenty of online tools to choose from. Some of my favorites include:

• Citation Machine

Just enter your book’s information, select your citation style, and voila. Instant citations. But remember, always double-check the generated citations for accuracy.

University Writing Lab Guides for Citing Books

If you’re a college student, your university’s writing lab likely has some great resources for citing books.

• The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) from Purdue University has extensive guides for citing books in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.
• The Harvard College Writing Center offers a quick guide to book citations in various styles.

These writing labs are staffed by experienced tutors who can help you navigate even the trickiest of citation conundrums.

Bookmark these sites for easy reference whenever you need to cite book sources.

How do you properly cite a reference book?

To nail a book citation, list the author’s last name, first name, book title in italics, publisher, and publication year.

How do you cite a Book in APA?

Start with the author’s surname and initials. Add the year in brackets. Then, italicize the title and finish with publisher details.

How do you cite a book in an essay text?

Citing within your essay? Mention the author’s last name followed by publication year for APA or page number for MLA style.

How do you cite an e-book in MLA?

For e-books in MLA: Author names first. Title next — italicized. Version (if any), Publisher, Year of Publication — all packed neatly into your Works Cited page.

There you have it, folks. You now know how to cite a book in MLA, APA, and Chicago styles. You’ve got the tools to create flawless in-text citations and reference list entries that will make your professors proud.

Remember, proper book citations are essential for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit where it’s due. They show that you’ve done your research and respect the original work of others.

So next time you’re wondering how to cite a book, just refer back to this citation guide.

Written by Julia McCoy

UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL

Long headline that highlights value proposition of lead magnet.

Grab a front row seat to our video masterclasses, interviews, case studies, tutorials, and guides.

What keyword do you want to rank for?

Discover RankWell ® your SEO best friend

Our proprietary suite of SEO tools, aka RankWell®, offers marketers real-time, deep SEO insights. From keyword ranking difficulty scores to audits on improving your content, our full-service SEO tool suite is your content's best friend.

Get a free topic report that has every insight you need to outrank the competition.

By clicking Sign Up, you agree with our Terms and Conditions.

Citation: Turabian and Chicago

• Citing a Book

Basic Chapter Citation

Example chapter of a book, example foreword/preface of a book, example chapter of an ebook.

• Citing an Article
• Citing a Webpage
• Additional Resources

Hanging indents

Footnote/Endnote

Author First M. Last Name, "Chapter or Essay Title," in  Book Title , ed. First M. Last Name (Place of Publication: Publisher, date), page cited.

Short version: Author Last Name, "Chapter or Essay Title (shortened if necessary)," page cited.

Bibliography

Author Last Name, First M.   "Chapter or Essay Title."  In  Book Title ,   edited by First M. Last Name,  page range.   Place of Publication: Publisher, date.

Eric Charry, "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa," in  The History of Islam in Africa , eds. Nehwmia Levtzion and Randall L. Pouwels  (Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 2000), 550.

Short version: Charry, "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa," 550.

Charry, Eric.   "Music and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa."  In  The History of Islam in Africa ,   edited by Nehwmia Levtzion and Randall L. Pouwels,   545-573.   Athens, OH: Ohio  University Press, 2000.

Strobe Talbott, foreword to   Beyond Tianamen: The Politics of U.S.-China Relations 1989-2000 , by Robert L. Suettinger (Washington, D. C.: Brookings Institute Press, 2003), x.

Short version: Talbott, foreword, x.

Talbott, Strobe.   Foreword to   Beyond Tianamen: The Politics of U.S.-China Relations 1989-2000 ,   by Robert L. Suettinger,  ix-x.   Washington, D. C.: Brookings Institute  Press, 2003.

Alan Liu, "Where is Cultural Criticism in the Digital Humanities?," in  Debates in the Digital Humanities , ed. Matthew K. Gold (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2013), accessed January 23, 2014,  http://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/debates/text/20. 

Short version: Liu, "Where is Cultural Criticism."

Liu, Alan.  "Where is Cultural Criticism in the Digital Humanities?."   In  Debates in the Digital Humanities ,   edited by Matthew K. Gold.   Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2013.   A ccessed January 23, 2014.   http://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/debates/text/20. 

• << Previous: Citing a Book
• Next: Citing an Article >>
• Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 3:54 PM
• URL: https://reinhardt.libguides.com/Turabian

MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Books, eBooks & Pamphlets

• What Kind of Source Is This?
• Advertisements
• Books, eBooks & Pamphlets
• Book Reviews
• Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings
• Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
• Government Documents
• Images, Artwork, Charts, Graphs & Tables
• Interviews and Emails (Personal Communications)
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Primary Sources
• Religious Texts
• Social Media
• Videos & DVDs
• In-Text Citation
• Works Quoted in Another Source
• No Author, No Date etc.
• Works Cited List & Sample Paper
• Annotated Bibliography
• Powerpoint Presentations

On This Page: Books & eBooks

Citing a part of a book vs citing the whole book, book in print - one author, book in print - two authors, book in print - three or more authors, book - group or corporate author, ebook from a library database - one author, ebook from a library database - two authors.

• eBook from a Library Database - Three or More Authors
• eBook from a Website

eBook from an eReader Platform

Open textbook (free online textbook), a book chapter uploaded to moodle, a book prepared by an editor, chapter, short story, or essay from a book (edited anthology or collection), short story or essay from a book (anthology or collection of author's own work), article or essay in an authored textbook, book with editor(s) but no author, how can i tell if it's a book in print or an ebook.

A print book means it's printed on paper. If you checked the book out of a library or bought it from a bookstore, it's print.

An eBook is a book you can read entirely online or on an eReader.

Citing an eBook with no Page Numbers

When there are no page numbers listed on an ebook, or it is a resizable format like Kindle or EPUB, cite the chapter number instead in your in-text citation.

Example: (Smith ch. 2).  

In-Text Citation For Two or More Authors/Editors

Translated book.

When citing a book that has been translated, you include the translator's information in the Works Cited reference after the title of the book.

Dorfman, Ariel, and Armand Mattelart.  How to Read Donald

Duck: Imperialist Ideology in the Disney Comic .

Translated by David Kunzle, OR Books, 2018.

Access Date

Works from the web can be changed or removed at any time, so it is often important to include the date you accessed the material in your citation. This is  optional , but is especially important when there is no date specifying when the item (web document, article, webpage) was produced, or you believe the source has been edited without notice. Add the access date to the end of your citation.  E.g. Accessed 23 July 2019.

Authors/Editors

An author can be a person but can also be an organization, or company. These are called group or corporate authors.

If you are citing a chapter from a book that has an editor, the author of the chapter is listed first, and is the name listed in the in-text citation.

The format of all dates is: Day Month (shortened) Year. E.g. 5 Sept. 2012.

Write the full date as you find it on the source. If there is only a year listed, you will only put the year in your citation. For others, you will also include a month and day if they are given.

If there is no date listed, just leave it out unless you can find that information available in a reliable source. In that case the date is cited in square brackets to show that you found that information somewhere else. E.g. [2008]

Page Numbers

On your Works Cited page (but not for in-text citations), single page numbers are preceded by p. and a range of page numbers is preceded by pp. E.g. p. 156 or pp. 79-92.

You have the option to use the shortened name of the publisher. For example, you can use UP instead of University Press (e.g. Oxford UP instead of the full name Oxford University Press).

You also have the option to remove articles (A, An, The), business abbreviations (e.g. Co., Inc.) and descriptive words (e.g. Books, House, Press, Publishers). 

Capitalize the first letter of every important word in the title. You do not need to capitalize words such as: in, of, or an. Do not use all-caps (except for words like USA where each letter stands for something), even if the words appear that way on the book or article.

If there is a colon (:) in the title, include what comes after the colon (also known as the subtitle).

Note : For your Works Cited list, all citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches. Microsoft Word and some other text editing programs allow you to highlight a citation and apply a hanging indent. 

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any. Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication. 

Last Name, First Name of First Author, and First Name Last Name of Second Author. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any.  Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication. 

  Note: Only the first author's name appears in "Last Name, First Name" format. The second author's name appears in "First Name Last Name" format. 

Last Name, First Name of First Author, et al. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any.  Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication. 

  Note:  If there are three or more authors   list  only the  first  author's name followed by et al. instead of listing all authors' names.  The first author is  the first name listed on the work  you are citing, not the first name alphabetically.

Name of Corporate Author. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any.  Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of Publication.

 Note : When the organization that published the work is also the corporate author of the work, begin the entry with the title, skipping the author element, and list the organization only as publisher. If the corporate author is a division of a larger organization, the division is the author and the organization is the publisher. 

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any. Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication.  Name of Library Database .

Last Name of First Author, First Name, and First Name Last Name of Second Author. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any.  Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication.  Name of Library Database.  

  Note: Only the first author's name appears in "Last Name, First Name" format. The second author's name appears in "First Name Last Name" format.

eBook From a Library Database - Three or More Authors

Last Name of First Author, First Name, et al. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any.  Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication.  Name of Library Database.  

eBook From a Website

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any. Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication.  Website Name, URL. Accessed Day Month Year site was visited if there is no publication date . File type.

  Note : When the landing page provides a choice of formats (such as PDF or EPUB), include the file type at the end of the citation (in case there are slight differences between versions). If you use the default format of the book, omit this element. In most cases, a URL should be provided. However, if there is a DOI, use it instead (because it is the most stable link to the book), beginning with https://doi.org. 

Author's Last Name, First Name.  Title of Book: Subtitle if Any.  Edition if given and is not first edition, e-book ed., Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication. File type.

  Note:  The file type is important to include, since only a PDF will have stable page numbering. Do not cite the website (Amazon, VitalSource, Google Play, etc) as a container.

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any. Edition if given and is not first edition,   Publisher name if different from website name ,  Year of Publication. Website Name , URL if no DOI is provided. File type.

Author Last Name, Author First Name. "Title of Book Chapter."  Moodle , uploaded by Instructor Name, upload date [if known], moodle.columbiacollege.bc.ca/.

Note:  The MLA Style Center has more guidance on citing online handouts and readings , including the difference between a reading that is uploaded to a course versus one that is shared via a link. If your instructor asks you to practice citing a course reading using the original publication information, follow the model for the original type of source (book chapter, journal article, etc.). 

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any,  edited by Editor's First Name and Last Name ,  Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Chapter, Short Story, or Essay." Title of Book: Subtitle if Any,  edited by Editor's First Name and Last Name,  Edition if given and is not first,  Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication, Page numbers of the chapter, short story, or essay. 

  Note:  The author listed at the beginning of the citation is the author of the chapter, short story, or essay.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Short Story or Essay."  Title of Book: Subtitle if Any,  Edition if given and is not first,  Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication, Page numbers of the short story or essay. 

  Note:   Use this format when the book is a collection of an author's own work. In this case, there will be no editor.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article or Essay."  Title of Book: Subtitle if Any,  by Author's First Name and Last Name,  Edition if given and is not first,  Publisher Name often shortened, Year of publication, Page numbers of the article or essay. 

  Note:  The first author's name listed is the author of the article or essay. The second is the author of the textbook.

Last Name of editor, First Name, editor(s).  Title of Book: Subtitle if Any.  Edition if given and is not first edition, Publisher Name often shortened, Year of Publication.

• << Previous: Advertisements
• Next: Book Reviews >>
• Last Updated: Apr 15, 2024 11:24 AM
• URL: https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/MLA9

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

In-Text Citations: The Basics

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Reference citations in text are covered on pages 261-268 of the Publication Manual. What follows are some general guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay.

Note:  On pages 117-118, the Publication Manual suggests that authors of research papers should use the past tense or present perfect tense for signal phrases that occur in the literature review and procedure descriptions (for example, Jones (1998)  found  or Jones (1998)  has found ...). Contexts other than traditionally-structured research writing may permit the simple present tense (for example, Jones (1998)  finds ).

APA Citation Basics

When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

If you are referring to an idea from another work but  NOT  directly quoting the material, or making reference to an entire book, article or other work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication and not the page number in your in-text reference.

On the other hand, if you are directly quoting or borrowing from another work, you should include the page number at the end of the parenthetical citation. Use the abbreviation “p.” (for one page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages) before listing the page number(s). Use an en dash for page ranges. For example, you might write (Jones, 1998, p. 199) or (Jones, 1998, pp. 199–201). This information is reiterated below.

Regardless of how they are referenced, all sources that are cited in the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining

• Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.
• If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that are four letters long or greater within the title of a source:  Permanence and Change . Exceptions apply to short words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs:  Writing New Media ,  There Is Nothing Left to Lose .

( Note:  in your References list, only the first word of a title will be capitalized:  Writing new media .)

• When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound word:  Natural-Born Cyborgs .
• Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The Case of Hitchcock's  Vertigo ."
• If the title of the work is italicized in your reference list, italicize it and use title case capitalization in the text:  The Closing of the American Mind ;  The Wizard of Oz ;  Friends .
• If the title of the work is not italicized in your reference list, use double quotation marks and title case capitalization (even though the reference list uses sentence case): "Multimedia Narration: Constructing Possible Worlds;" "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry."

Short quotations

If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and page number for the reference (preceded by "p." for a single page and “pp.” for a span of multiple pages, with the page numbers separated by an en dash).

You can introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.

If you do not include the author’s name in the text of the sentence, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation.

Long quotations

Place direct quotations that are 40 words or longer in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout, but do not add an extra blank line before or after it. The parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.

Because block quotation formatting is difficult for us to replicate in the OWL's content management system, we have simply provided a screenshot of a generic example below.

Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style.

Quotations from sources without pages

Direct quotations from sources that do not contain pages should not reference a page number. Instead, you may reference another logical identifying element: a paragraph, a chapter number, a section number, a table number, or something else. Older works (like religious texts) can also incorporate special location identifiers like verse numbers. In short: pick a substitute for page numbers that makes sense for your source.

Summary or paraphrase

If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference and may omit the page numbers. APA guidelines, however, do encourage including a page range for a summary or paraphrase when it will help the reader find the information in a longer work. 

How To Do In-Text Citations in MLA Format: A Quick Guide for Students

An in-text citation is a reference to information originating from another source. In-text citations must be used when you summarize, quote, paraphrase or refer to another source within a written document, such as academic literature. 

In-text citations are essential in academic writing. Without them, how would readers verify the information is reliable and accurate? Trustworthy authors include their sources for verifiable information rather than opinions so readers know where the evidence for claims can be explored further.

The Modern Language Association manages MLA style standards with the purpose to “strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature” and standardize how information sources are credited in scholarly writing. Not only does the MLA recommend proper citation format, but it also suggests proper general formatting, including document spacing, margins and font size.

As you begin authoring scholarly works, you’ll find the need to credit sources. Use this quick guide to learn how to do in-text citations in MLA format.

What is MLA format?

How to do in-text citations in mla, how to do a works cited page in mla, common challenges and solutions, tips for effective in-text citations.

MLA citation style is a system for crediting sources in scholarly writing and has been widely used in classrooms, journals and the press since 1931. What began with a three-page style sheet for the MLA’s scholarly journal became a uniform writing style preferred by academics and the editorial media everywhere.

Since its inception, the in-text citation style has changed from a recommended combination of footnotes and in-text citations in MLA format. The 1951 style guide suggested : “If the reference is brief, insert it, within parentheses, in the text itself . . . ; if it is lengthy, put it in a [foot]note.” As technology and society changed, so did the MLA style. In 1995, the document added recommendations for citing CD-ROMs and online databases. In 2016, the MLA published one of the most modern versions of the MLA Handbook , wherein in-text citations in MLA style should now be written according to a template of core elements.

The modern-day components of an in-text citation in MLA format, as of the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook , include:

• Author’s name
• Page numbers (if applicable)

These short in-text citations serve as references to a Works Cited list, which should follow a written piece of work and list all sources used in detail.

Authors who correctly use in-text citations in MLA style will prove their credibility, integrity and responsibility to share accurate and reliable information and simultaneously protect themselves from stealing sources and ideas from other writers, also known as plagiarism. Plagiarism is a severe offense , and many institutions have strict rules against the practice .

Now that you understand the importance of citations let’s review how to use in-text citations in MLA style. When referring to another author’s work in your own written text, you must use parenthetical citations, including the source in parentheses within the sentence that refers to the work. 

If a source does not have page numbers, use another numbering system, such as chapters, sections, scenes or articles that are explicitly numbered. If there are no numbered divisions within the work, simply cite the author’s name.

The basic format for in-text citations in MLA writings is as follows:

• The pail of water was at the top of the hill, which Jack and Jill decided to climb (Mother Goose 1) .

If including a direct quote from a source, enclose the entire quote within quotation marks to avoid confusing the reader. The in-text citation should fall outside the quotation marks at the end of the sentence before the sentence’s period. Paraphrased information does not need quotation marks but does need proper in-text citation.

It should be noted that any information included in your in-text citations must refer to the source information on the Works Cited page listed at the end of your document.

If you’re wondering how to list the references on the Works Cited page, the format varies depending on the type, such as a book or a website.

How to cite a book in MLA

• Author last name, first name. Title. Publisher, year.

How to cite an article in MLA

• Author last name, first name. “Article title.” Publication, volume/issue, publication month. Year, page numbers. Database, reference URL.

How to cite a website in MLA

• Author last name, first name. “Title.” Publication, publication month. Year, web page URL.

While constructing your paper, you may encounter a few citation challenges, such as a source with multiple authors or no known author. Though this can be confusing, this is how to use in-text citations in MLA style for challenging situations.

How to cite multiple authors in MLA

To write an in-text citation in MLA format for a source with multiple authors , simply list each author’s last name before the page number. Sources with more than two authors should cite the first author, followed by “et al.” For example:

• 2 authors: (Hall and Oates 1)
• 3+ authors: (Hall et al. 1)

How to cite sources with no author in MLA

Sources with no author must match the first listed element within its Works Cited entry. For example:

• In-text citation: (Baa, Baa, Black Sheep 0:15)
• Works Cited entry: “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep.” Spotify . https://open.spotify.com/track/1Zpe8ef70Wx20Bu2mLdXc1?si=7TlgCyj1SYmP6K-uy4isuQ

How to cite indirect or secondary sources in MLA

A secondary source is a publication that provides second-hand information from other researchers. You may use secondary sources in your research, though it’s best practice to search for the primary source that supplied the first-hand information, so cite it directly.

If you don’t have access to the original source, include the original author and the author of the secondary source , with the abbreviation “qtd. in” indicating where you accessed the secondary quote. “Qtd. in” stands for “quoted in.” For example:

• (qtd. in Baa, Baa, Black Sheep 0:15)

Using et al. in MLA citations

As described above, et al. is used instead of listing all names of three or more authors, editors or contributors within your citations. It can also cite collections of essays, stories or poems with three or more contributors. When using et al., you should always use the last name of the first writer listed on the source. For example:

• (Earth et al. “September” 0:15)
• Contributors: Earth, Wind and Fire

The most crucial part of in-text citations in MLA style is to keep a consistent and accurate format within the entire body of work. Always use the same punctuation within the in-text citations and the same formatting for sources of the same type. Ensure that double-checking citations is part of your overall proofreading process. All citations, like the written work, should be precise and error-free.

Various tools exist to help you collect and manage your sources and citations. Popular tools include Zotero , EndNote and RefWorks . These tools can create citations for you and keep track of your research documents so you can reference them again if needed. It’s wise to track your sources as they’re included in your writing rather than compiling and citing them when finished.

More resources for writing in MLA format

For the most up-to-date in-text citation information, refer to the MLA Handbook , which can be found online, in bookstores and libraries. The most recent edition of the MLA Handbook is the 9th edition, published in spring 2021.

The MLA also operates the MLA Handbook Plus , a subscription-based digital platform that offers all of the content included in the print edition, plus annual updates and valuable resources, and can be accessed anywhere, whether you’re traveling, at home or in the classroom.

The MLA Style Center offers free online sources on the official MLA style, including templates, questions and answers and advice.

Furman University offers trained consultants for students on campus to provide one-on-one or small-group assistance for writing projects at the Writing & Media Lab (WML). You can make an appointment with a WML Consultant or stop by the James B. Duke Library in the Center for Academic Success (room 002) for on-demand help (subject to scheduling).

The Writing & Media Lab can help with many tasks related to student writing and multimedia projects, including:

• Brainstorming a paper or project
• Outlining your ideas
• Reading through your writing
• Creating a presentation or poster
• Helping you practice your presentation
• Planning a video or podcast
• Revising, proofreading, or editing

Mastering the art of in-text citations in MLA format will ensure that you, as an academic author, will portray yourself as a serious, responsible and factual writer who uses accurate and reliable sources.

The perspectives and thoughts shared in the Furman Blog belong solely to the author and may not align with the official stance or policies of Furman University. All referenced sources were accurate as of the date of publication.

How To Become a Therapist

A brand strategy and creative thinking reflection | go further podcast, how to become a software developer.

APA 7th Edition Citation Examples

• Volume and Issue Numbers
• Page Numbers
• Undated Sources
• Citing a Source Within a Source

Citing a Source within a Source

• In-Text Citations
• Academic Journals
• Encyclopedia Articles
• Book, Film, and Product Reviews
• Online Classroom Materials
• Conference Papers
• Technical + Research Reports
• Court Decisions
• Treaties and Other International Agreements
• Federal Regulations: I. The Code of Federal Regulations
• Federal Regulations: II. The Federal Register
• Executive Orders
• Charter of the United Nations
• Federal Statutes
• Dissertations and Theses
• Interviews, E-mail Messages + Other Personal Communications
• Social Media
• Business Sources
• PowerPoints
• AI: ChatGPT, etc.

Scenario: You read a 2007 article by Linhares and Brum that cites an earlier article, by Klein. You want to cite Klein's article, but you have not read Klein's article itself.

Reference list citation

Linhares, A., & Brum, P. (2007). Understanding our understanding of strategic scenarios: What role do chunks play? Cognitive Science , 31 (6), 989-1007. https://doi.org/10.1080/03640210701703725

Your Reference list will contain the article you read, by Linhares and Brum. Your Reference list will NOT contain a citation for Klein's article.

In-text citation

Klein's study (as cited in Linhares & Brum, 2007) found that...

Your in-text citation gives credit to Klein and shows the source in which you found Klein's ideas.

See  Publication Manual , p. 258.

• << Previous: Undated Sources
• Next: In-Text Citations >>
• Last Updated: Mar 18, 2024 12:55 PM
• URL: https://libguides.umgc.edu/apa-examples

MLA 8 Citation Guide

• TITLE of SOURCE
• TITLE of CONTAINER
• OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
• PUBLICATION DATE
• Works Cited
• Journal Article with One Author
• Journal Article with 2 Authors
• Journal Article with 3 or more Authors
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Article
• One Author or Editor
• Two Authors or Editors
• Three or More Authors

Article or Chapter in an Edited Book

• Article in a Reference Book
• Reference Work
• Basic Web Page
• Entry in a Reference Work
• Government or Agency Document
• YouTube Video
• Electronic Image
• Figures and Charts
• Class Lecture/Notes
• Secondary Sources

MLA Works Cited Page: Books

Ask Us 24/7

Online help is available anytime via our AskUs 24/7 chat service:

Works Cited List:       

Last name, First name. "Title of Essay." Title of Collection , edited by Editor Name(s). Publisher, Year, pp Page range of entry.

Lawrence, James. A., and Alfred Dodds. "Goal-Directed Activities and Life-Span Development.” Handbook of Developmental Psychology, edited by John Valsiner and Kare Connolly. Heinemann, 2000, pp. 24-34. 

In-Text Citation:

      (Author Surname [of Chapter or Article] page number)

      (Lawrence and Dodds 26)

Works Cited List

Jans, Nick.  The Last Light Breaking: Life among Alaska's Inupiat Eskimos . Alaska Northwest Books, 1993.

Edited book

Miller, John, and Tim Smith, editors.  Cape Cod Stories: Tales from Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard . Chronicle Books, 1996.

Please see the sample citation for a chapter or article in an anthology below for information on citing a component of an edited collection.

Numbered edition other than the first

Wardle, Elizabeth, and Doug Downs, editors.  Writing About Writing: A College Reader . 2nd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2014.

Revised edition

Culliney, John L.  Islands in a Far Sea: The Fate of Nature in Hawai'i . Rev. ed., U of Hawai'i P, 2006.

Multi-volume set

Green, Constance McLaughlin.  Washington . Princeton UP, 1962-63. 2 vols.

In-text citation:   (Green 1: 112-14) "1" is the volume number.

• << Previous: Three or More Authors
• Next: Article in a Reference Book >>
• Last Updated: Mar 22, 2024 1:47 PM
• URL: https://utica.libguides.com/mla

• Plagiarism and grammar
• Citation guides

Cite a Book

Don't let plagiarism errors spoil your paper

Citing books in apa, print books with one author:.

APA citation format:

Author Last name, First initial. Middle initial. (Year Published). Title of work . Publisher.

Moriarty, L. (2014). Big little lies . G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

Print books with two or more authors:

Last name, First initial. Middle initial., Last name, First initial. Middle initial., & Last name, First initial. Middle initial. (Date). Title . Publisher.

Goldin, C. D., & Katz, L. F. (2008). The race between education and technology . Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Matthews, G., Smith, Y., & Knowles, G. (2009). Disaster management in archives, libraries and museums . Ashgate.

Full versions of E-books:

E-books are generally read either on a website, on an e-reader, or on a database.

Author Last Name, First initial. Middle initial. (Year Published). Title of work . https://doi.org/xxxx or http://xxxx

Auster, P. (2007). The Brooklyn follies . http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

To cite your ebooks automatically, use the “Book” form at CitationMachine.com, click “Manual entry mode,” and click the “E-book” tab. Everything will be properly formatted following APA bibliography guidelines.

Featured links:

APA Citation Generator  |  Website   | Books | Journal Articles | YouTube | Images | Movies | Interview | PDF

• Citation Machine® Plus
• Citation Guides
• Chicago Style
• Harvard Referencing
• Terms of Use
• Global Privacy Policy
• Cookie Notice
• DO NOT SELL MY INFO

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / Chicago Style / How to Cite a Chapter in Chicago/Turabian

How to Cite a Chapter in Chicago/Turabian

If you are writing a research paper, there’s a very good chance you’ll need to cite a specific chapter or other part of a book, especially if that book is an anthology or contains chapters written by different authors. In this guide, you’ll find what you need in order to create notes-bibliography style chapter citations according to the standards in the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style .

Guide Overview

• General structure
• Chapter in a single-author book
• Chapter in a multi-author book
• Work in an anthology
• Introduction, preface, afterword, or similar part of a book
• Letters in published collections

General Structure

Citing a section of a book is similar to citing a complete book in Chicago style. When citing a section of a book, you include the author’s name followed by the title of the section or chapter enclosed in quotation marks. The italicized title of the complete work/book comes next after the word “in.” In a bibliography or reference list, you’ll need to include the page range or specific chapter number of the part of the book you are citing. However, you only include the page(s) you are citing in your footnotes or endnotes. Here’s a simple citation structure example for citing a chapter within a single-author book:

Bibliography: 

Author Last Name, First Name. “Chapter Title.” In Book Title , edited by Editor First Name Last Name, page range of chapter. City: Publisher, Year.

1. Author First Name Last Name, “Chapter Title,” in Book Title , ed. Editor First Name Last Name (City: Publisher, Year), page(s) cited.

You don’t always need to cite the specific part of a book you are using. It’s often sufficient to just cite the work as a whole. If the article or chapter plays a large role in your paper, or if that chapter is written by a different author than the rest of the book, then it is a good idea to cite the specific part. Generally, you want to cite individual articles separately and chapters within a single-author book are more commonly cited as just the whole work.

Chapter in a Single-Author Book

If you use a chapter in a book that is particularly significant for your project, or if you only use one chapter within a book in your project, you may find it useful to cite just that chapter in the text and in your list of works cited. This shows anyone who is reading your paper that this chapter is very important for your research. You can check out CMOS 14.106 and Turabian 17.1.8.1 and 19.1.9.1 for more examples.

Serviss, Garrett P. “A Trip of Terror.” In A Columbus of Space , 17-32. New York: Appleton, 1911.

1. Garrett P. Serviss, “A Trip of Terror,” in A Columbus of Space (New York: Appleton, 1911), 19.

Chapter in a Multi-Author Book

For articles in a multi-author book, you follow a similar format. One big difference is that you use the name of the author of the part in the main entry. After “in,” you then include the title of the work the part is in, as well as information on the editors or translators, followed by the page range.

Oram, Richard W. “Writers’ Libraries: Historical Overview and Curatorial Considerations.” In Collecting, Curating, and Researching Writers’ Libraries: A Handbook , edited by Richard W. Oram and Joseph Nicholson, 1-28. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, 2014.

1. Richard W. Oram, “Writers’ Libraries: Historical Overview and Curatorial Considerations,” in Collecting, Curating, and Researching Writers’ Libraries: A Handbook , ed. Richard W. Oram and Joseph Nicholson (Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, 2014), 15.

If you use multiple contributions in a multi-author work, you should include a citation to the entire work in your bibliography or reference list and then you can include a shortened form of each individual chapter (See CMOS 14.108; Turabian 17.1.8.2 and 19.1.8.2). Here’s an example:

Bibliography full citation: 

Oram, Richard W., and Joseph Nicholson, eds. Collecting, Curating, and Researching Writers’ Libraries: A Handbook. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, 2014.

Bibliography shortened form for a chapter in the multi-author work: 

Oram, Richard W. “Writers’ Libraries: Historical Overview and Curatorial Considerations.” In Oram and Nicholson, Collecting, Curating, and Researching Writers’ Libraries, 1-28.

Note shortened form:

1. Richard W. Oram, “Writers’ Libraries: Historical Overview and Curatorial Considerations,” in Oram and Nicholson, Collecting, Curating, and Researching Writers’ Libraries, 1-28.

Work in an Anthology

For a work in an anthology, cite just as you would for a chapter of a multi-author book. The work title will be in roman in quotation marks. If the work in the anthology is book-length, the work title should be in italics, rather than roman.

Dillard, Annie. “Living Like Weasels.” In Touchstone Anthology of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction: Work from 1970 to Present , edited by Lex Williford and Michael Martone, 148-51. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007.

1. Annie Dillard, “Living Like Weasels,” in Touchstone Anthology of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction: Work from 1970 to Present , ed. Lex Williford and Michael Martone (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007), 149.

Introduction, Preface, Afterword, or Similar Part of a Book

Some books include sections at the beginning or end that are not considered to be part of the main text, such as an introduction, preface, foreword, or afterword. These are also sometimes written by someone other than the main author. If you want to cite a part of a book that is one of these non-specific titles, you include the term used to describe the part in your citation. If the author of the part you are citing is the same as the author of the whole book, only include the citation of the book as a whole in the bibliography or references list. See CMOS 14.110 and Turabian 17.1.8.1 and 19.1.9.1 for more information and examples.

Yeo, Geoffrey. Foreword to Archives: Principles and Practices , by Laura A. Millar, vii-x. New York: Neal-Schumann, 2004.

1. Geoffrey Yeo, foreword to Archives: Principles and Practices , by Laura A. Millar (New York: Neal-Schumann, 2004), viii.

Letters in Published Collections

Some books include collections of letters a single person has written or letters on a specific subject. You can cite individual letters similarly to citing a chapter. You begin your citation with the names of the sender and the recipient, then the date of the letter, followed by the information about the book the letter is published in. Only include the citation to the whole book in your bibliography or reference list. See CMOS 14.111 and Turabian 17.1.9 and 19.1.9.4 for more information.

Meynell, Alice. The Selected Letters of Alice Meynell. Edited by Damian Atkinson. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2013.

1. Alice Meynell to Christiana Thompson, March 1, 1858, in The Selected Letters of Alice Meynell , ed. Damian Atkinson (Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2013), 14.

Bibliography

The Chicago Manual of Style , 17th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017. https://doi.org/10.7208/cmos17.

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations , 9th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018.

Written by Janice Hansen. Janice has a doctorate in literature and a master’s degree in library science. She spends a lot of time with rare books and citations.

Chicago Formatting Guide

Chicago Formatting

• Book Chapter
• Conference Paper
• Musical Recording

Citation Examples

• Thesis or Dissertation
• Encyclopedia
• Sheet Music
• YouTube Video

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Chicago Citation Examples

Writing Tools

Citation Generators

Other Citation Styles

Plagiarism Checker

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started