how to cite a book mla style

How to Cite a Book MLA Style: A Guide for Easy Success

Introduction: Why MLA Style Matters

When conducting research and writing academic papers, it’s essential to properly cite the sources you use to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a commonly used citation format in the humanities disciplines, such as English, literature, and history. By following MLA guidelines, you can ensure your citations are accurate, consistent, and easy for readers to understand.

Basic Elements of an MLA Book Citation

An MLA book citation typically includes the following elements:

• Author’s name: The author’s last name comes first, followed by a comma and the author’s first name.
• Title of the book: The title should be italicized.
• Edition: If the book is not the first edition, include the edition number after the title.
• Publisher: The publisher’s name should be followed by a colon.
• Publication date: The publication date should be included in parentheses after the publisher.

Formatting an MLA Book Citation

The elements of an MLA book citation are typically arranged in the following way:

1. Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Edition. Publisher, Publication Date.

For example:

Smith, John. *The History of English Literature.* 4th ed. Oxford University Press, 2023.

MLA Book Citation with Author’s Last Name Only

If the author’s full name is not available, you can use the author’s last name only followed by "Author."

For example:

Doe, Author. *The Sociology of Education.* 2nd ed. Routledge, 2022.

MLA Book Citation with Multiple Authors

If a book has two or more authors, list the authors’ last names and first initials, separated by commas.

For example:

Brown, R. A., and J. B. Green. *The Psychology of Learning.* 6th ed. Pearson, 2021.

MLA Book Citation with No Author

If a book has no author, start the citation with the title of the book.

For example:

*The Oxford Handbook of International Relations.* Oxford University Press, 2019.

MLA Book Citation with an Editor

If a book is edited by someone, include "ed." after the editor’s name.

For example:

Jones, Mary, ed. *The Norton Anthology of American Literature.* 9th ed. W. W. Norton & Company, 2020.

MLA Book Citation with a Translator

If a book is translated by someone, include "trans." after the translator’s name.

For example:

Kafka, Franz. *The Metamorphosis.* Trans. David Wyllie. Penguin Classics, 2008.

MLA Book Citation with a Series Title

If the book is part of a series, include the series title in italics after the publisher.

For example:

Garcia, J. R., and M. A. Gonzalez. *The Essential Guide to Qualitative Research.* 2nd ed. SAGE Publications, 2019. _Research Methods for the Social Sciences._

MLA Book Citation with a City of Publication

If the city of publication is not included in the publisher’s name, add the city after the publisher.

For example:

Thomas, P. A. *The Role of Emotion in Human Decisions.* Smith & Greene Publishers, London, 2020.

MLA Book Citation for an eBook

When citing an eBook, include the following additional information after the title:

• Format: The format of the eBook (e.g., Kindle, PDF, ePub)
• URL or DOI: The URL or DOI for the eBook

For example:

Zhang, Y. *Chinese Philosophy: A Comprehensive Overview.* 2nd ed. Brill, 2022. Kindle. https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Philosophy-Comprehensive-Overview-ebook/dp/B091BJN356

MLA Book Citation for a Chapter in an Edited Book

When citing a chapter in an edited book, include the following additional information after the author’s name:

• Chapter title: The title of the chapter in quotation marks
• Editor’s name: The editor’s last name and first initials
• Title of the book: The title of the book should be italicized

For example:

Smith, J. A. "The Importance of Language Development in Early Childhood." *The Handbook of Child Development.* Ed. J. G. Brooks and P. P. Peterson. 7th ed. Guilford Press, 2022.

Tips for Writing MLA Book Citations

• Always refer to the MLA Style Manual for the most up-to-date guidelines.
• Use a citation generator to help you format your citations correctly.
• Be consistent in your formatting and use correct punctuation.
• Double-check your citations to ensure accuracy.

Comparison Table: How to Cite a Book MLA Style vs. Other Styles

Conclusion

Citing books in MLA style is essential for academic writing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your citations are accurate, consistent, and easy to understand. Remember to always refer to the MLA Style Manual for further guidance and best practices.

For more helpful articles on writing and citation, check out these resources:

• How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay
• How to Write a Research Paper
• How to Avoid Plagiarism

FAQ About How to Cite a Book MLA Style

How do I cite a book in MLA style?

Answer:

• Author’s last name, first name. Book Title._ Publisher, Year of publication.

What information do I need to include in the citation?

Answer:

• Author’s name
• Book title (italicized)
• Publisher
• Year of publication

Where do I find the author’s name and book title?

Answer:

• Author’s name: on the book’s cover or title page
• Book title: on the cover or spine of the book

Where do I find the publisher and year of publication?

Answer:

• Publisher: on the book’s title page or copyright page
• Year of publication: on the copyright page

How do I cite a book with multiple authors?

Answer:

• List the authors’ last names and first initials, separated by commas. The last author’s name should be preceded by "and."
• Example:
  • Smith, J., Jones, M., and Brown, A.

How do I cite a book with no author?

Answer:

• Use the book’s title in place of the author’s name.
• Example:
  • The Book Title. Publisher, Year of publication.

How do I cite a book with an editor?

Answer:

• Use the editor’s name as the author’s name.
• Example:
  • Jones, M., ed. Book Title. Publisher, Year of publication.

How do I cite a book that is part of a series?

Answer:

• Include the series title and number in parentheses after the book title.
• Example:
  • Smith, J. Book Title. (Book Series, no. 1). Publisher, Year of publication.

How do I cite a book from a different language?

Answer:

• Include the original title followed by a translation in brackets.
• Example:
  • García Márquez, G. Cien años de soledad. [One Hundred Years of Solitude]. Publisher, Year of publication.

How do I cite a book in an online database?

Answer:

• Follow the format for a book citation, but add the database name and URL after the publisher.
• Example:
  • Smith, J. Book Title. Publisher, Year of publication. Database Name, URL.