How to cite a book

In-text citations include the last name of the author followed by a page number enclosed in parentheses. “Here’s a direct quote” (Smith 8). If the author’s name is not given, then use the first word or words of the title. Follow the same formatting that was used in the Works Cited list, such as quotation marks.

Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of chapter or section.” Title of the Book, edited by First name Last name, Publisher, Year published, page number(s).

Author’s Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial. “Title of Chapter or Article.” Title of Book: Subtitle of Book, other contributors, edition, Publisher, Date of print Publication, Pages.

The basic format for citing a book chapter in MLA format is: Author(s) of Chapter.“Title of Chapter: Subtitle of Chapter.” Title of Book, edited by Editor of Book, Publisher, Publication Date, page numbers.

Titles of books, plays, films, periodicals, databases, and websites are italicized. Place titles in quotation marks if the source is part of a larger work. Articles, essays, chapters, poems, webpages, songs, and speeches are placed in quotation marks. Sometimes titles will contain other titles.

Author (Last name, first name). Title of Book. Edition (if available), Publisher (if available), Year of online publication. Name of Website or Database, URL (without the http:// or https://) or DOI number.

Examples of reference books include: almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias and indexes. Reference sources are most useful when you are beginning to work on a topic and need to acquire some background knowledge about it.