how to write apa format references for books

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APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition)

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In-Text Citations

Resources on using in-text citations in APA style

Reference List

Resources on writing an APA style reference list, including citation formats

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APA Style (7th Edition) Citation Guide: Books & Ebooks

• Introduction
• Journal Articles
• Magazine/Newspaper Articles
• Books & Ebooks
• Government & Legal Documents
• Biblical Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Films/Videos/TV Shows
• How to Cite: Other
• Additional Help

Table of Contents

Book In Print With One Author

Book in Print More Than One Author

Chapters, Short Stories, Essays, or Articles From a Book (Anthology or Collection)

Article in an online reference book (e.g. encyclopedias, dictionaries).

Note: All citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent in a Reference List.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches.

This Microsoft support page contains instructions about how to format a hanging indent in a paper.

Authors/Editors

An author won't necessarily be a person's name. It may be an organization or company, for example Health Canada. These are called group or corporate authors.

If a book has no author or editor, begin the citation with the book title, followed by the year of publication in round brackets.

If an author is also the publisher, omit the publisher from the reference. This happens most often with corporate or group authors.

When a book has one to 20 authors or editors, all authors' names are cited in the Reference List entry. When a book has 21 or more authors or editors, list the first 19 authors followed by three spaced ellipse points (. . .) , and then the last author's name. Rules are different for in-text citations; please see the examples provided.

Cite author names in the order in which they appear on the source, not in alphabetical order (the first author is usually the person who contributed the most work to the publication).

Capitalize the first letter of the first word of the title. If there is a colon (:) in the title, also capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon.

Capitalize the first letter of proper names in titles, such as names of places or people. 

Italicize titles of journals, magazines, newspapers, and books. Do not italicize the titles of articles or book chapters.

Capitalize only the first letter of the first word of the article title. If there is a colon in the article title, also capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon.

Place of Publication

Do not include the publisher location in the reference. Only for works associated with a specific location, like conference presentations, include the location. For cities in the US and Canada list the city name and the province or state code. For other countries, list the city name and the country. Examples: Toronto, ON ; Tokyo, Japan

Electronic Books

Don't include the format, platform, or device (e.g. Kindle) in the reference. Include the publisher name. For audiobooks, include the narrator and audiobook notation.

Ebooks from Websites (not from library databases)

If an ebook from a website was originally published in print, give the author, year, title, edition (if given) and the url. If it was never published in print, treat it like a multi-page website.

Book In Print With One Author or Editor

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication).  Title of book: Subtitle if given  (edition if given and is not first edition). Publisher Name.

Note: If the named person is an editor, place "(Ed.)." after the name.

Mulholland, K. (2003). Class, gender and the family business . Palgrave McMillan. 

In-Text Paraphrase:

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Mulholland, 2003)

In-Text Quote:

(Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)

Example: (Mulholland, 2003, p. 70)

Book in Print More Than One Author or Editor

Last Name of First Author, First Initial. Second Initial if Given, & Last Name of Second Author, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication).  Title of book: Subtitle if given  (edition if given and is not first edition). Publisher Name.

Note: Authors' names are separated by commas. Put a comma and an ampersand (&) before the name of the last author cited.

Note : For works with three or more authors, the first in-text citation is shortened to include the first author's surname followed by "et al."

Note: If the listed names are editors rather than authors, include "(Eds.)." at the end of the list of names. The below example shows a list of editors.

Reference List Example:

Kaakinen, J., Coehlo, D., Steele, R., Tabacco, L., & Hanson, H. (Eds.). (2015). Family health care nursing: Theory, practice, and research (5th ed.). F.A. Davis Company.

In-text Citation

Two Authors/Editors

(Kaakinen & Coehlo, 2015)

Direct quote: (Kaakinen & Coehlo, 2015, p. 57)

Three or more Authors/Editors

(Kaakinen et al., 2015)

Direct quote: (Kaakinen et al., 2015, p. 57)

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication).  Title of book: Subtitle if given  (edition if given and is not first edition). Publisher Name. URL

Example from Website:

Rhode, D. L. (2002). Divorce, American style . University of California Press. http://www.escholarship.org/editions/view?docId=kt9z09q84w;brand=ucpress

Example: (Rhode, 2002)

Example: (Rhode, 2002, p. 101)

If no author or creator is provided, start the citation with the title/name of the item you are citing instead. Follow the title/name of the item with the date of publication, and the continue with other citation details.

Remember: an author/creator may be an organization or corporation, for example Health Canada. If you don't have a person's name as the author, but do have the name of an organization or corporation, put that organization/corporation's name as the author.

If and only if an item is signed as being created by Anonymous, use "Anonymous" where you'd normally put the author's name.

When you have no author, use a shortened version of the title where you'd normally put the author's name.

If you're citing something which is part of a bigger work, like an article from a magazine, newspaper, journal, encyclopedia, or chapter/short story from a book, put the shortened title in quotation marks in your in-text citation:

Example, paraphrase: ("A few words," 2014)

If you're citing an entire work, like a book, website, video, etc., italicize the shortened title in your in-text citation:

Example, paraphrase: ( A few words , 2014)

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of chapter, article, essay or short story. In Editor's First Initial. Second Initial if Given. Editor's Last Name (Ed.),  Title of book: Subtitle if given (edition if given and is not first edition, pp. first page number-last page number). Publisher Name.

Note:  If you have more than one editor list their name(s) after the first editor listed in the book, giving their initials and last name. Put an ampersand (&) before the last editor's name.

When you have one editor the short form (Ed.) is used after the editor's name. If you have more than one editor use (Eds.) instead.

O'Neil, J. M., & Egan, J. (1992). Men's and women's gender role journeys: A metaphor for healing, transition, and transformation. In B. R. Wainrib (Ed.), Gender issues across the life cycle (pp. 107-123). Springer. 

Note: If there is no editor given you may leave out that part of the citation.

(Author's Last Name, Year) 

Example (2 authors): (O'Neil & Egan, 1992)

(Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number) 

Example (2 authors): (O'Neil & Egan, 1992, p. 998)

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article. In Editor's First Initial. Second Initial if Given. Editor's Last Name (Ed.),  Title of book: Subtitle if given (edition if given and is not first edition). Publisher Name. URL or DOI

Caviness, L. B. (2008). Brain-relevant education. In N. J. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of educational psychology . Sage Publications. https://login.uportland.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/sageedpsyc/brain_relevant_education/0?institutionId=5407

Example (1 author): (Caviness, 2008)

Example (1 author): (Caviness, 2008, Focus on the brain section, para. 2)

Note: When there are no visible page numbers or paragraph numbers, you may cite the section heading and the number of the paragraph in that section to identify where your quote came from.

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / APA Format / APA Book Citation

How to Cite a Book in APA

Book – A written work or composition that has been published – typically printed on pages bound together.

Understanding how to cite books will provide you with the basis for citation conventions in APA style. Books are key components of many papers and are often an invaluable resource, so this guide will show you how to format reference page citations and in-text citations for APA 7th edition.

Citing a book in which the chapters are written by different authors is a little more involved than citing other types of books. You will find information on this type of book in this guide, but you can find also find more in-depth information here, in the article How to Cite a Chapter in a Book APA . That article is also helpful for in-text citations that include page numbers.

Guide Overview

What you need.

• Citing a book (print)
• Citing an E-book (online or digital book)
• Citing a book (found in a database)
• Citing an audiobook
• Citing a book with an editor credited on the cover
• Citing an edited book

Troubleshooting

In APA, a basic book citation includes the following information:

• Author’s name
• Title of the book
• Publisher of the book
• Year published

Additional information is needed when citing:

• DOI or stable URL if available
• Name of the translator or editor
• Title of the translator or editor (trans. or ed. respectively)
• Name of the chapter author
• Name of the chapter
• Name of the book editor or author
• Page numbers or ranges used
• Volume numbers and/or edition numbers
• New edition number
• Name of forward or introduction author if applicable
• Original publication date

Citing a book in APA (print)

View Screenshot

Note: Capitalize the first letter of the first word of the title and any subtitles (the first word that follows a colon), as well as the first letter of any proper nouns. See our APA Citation Basics guide or the APA Publication Manual for more information.

Citing an E-book in APA (online or digital book)

An e-book is considered a written work or composition that has been digitized and is readable through computers or e-readers (Kindles, iPads,nooks etc.). As of the APA 7th edition, a special notation does not need to be made for e-reader versions. Simply include the book’s URL or DOI number at the end of the citation. However, if you’re citing an audiobook, scroll down this page to see the different citation structure for audiobooks.

Citing a book in APA (found in a database)

Some e-books may be available online through your library’s databases or catalogs. According to the 7th edition of APA style, most books found via academic databases do not need to include the database name or link in the citation. This is because these books are usually widely available in many place and resources.

Citing an audio book in APA

An audiobook is a book that has been converted into audio files or an audio format. They are also sometimes called “books on tape.”

Citing a book with an author and an editor

Citing an edited book (no single author credited)

Here is a video that reviews book citations in APA style:

Solution #1: How to cite a book in another language

Books written in another language should contain the translation in brackets next to the title. If the language contains characters that are different from the Roman alphabet, transliterate the alphabet into the Roman alphabet for your citation.

Author’s last name, F. M. (Year). Title of the book in original language [Translated title]. Publisher.

Sanchez, E. (2018).  Yo no soy tu perfecta hija Mexicana  [I am not your perfect Mexican daughter]. Vintage Espanol.

Solution #2: How to cite a republished translated book

For translated books, include the name of the original author at the start of the citation, but for the year, include the date of publication for the version you are using. After the title, include the translator’s name, and after the publisher, provide the original publication date. For in-text citation, two dates are required. Write the date of the original publication first, then add a slash followed by the current version that you are using.

Reference page structure:

Author’s last name, F. M. (Year). Title of the work (Translator’s F. Last name, Trans.; Edition number ed.). Publisher. (Original work published Year)

Reference page example:

Freud, S. (1950). Beyond the pleasure principle (J. Strachey, Trans., 2nd ed.). Liveright. (Original work published 1920)

In-text citation structure:

Parenthetical structure: (Author last name, date of original publication/date of current version) Narrative structure: Author last name (date of original publication/date of current version)

In-text citation example:

                  Parenthetical example: (Freud, 1920/1950)

        Narrative example: Freud (1920/1950)

Solution #3: How to cite an ancient Greek or Roman work

Much like translated versions, include the original date of publication after the publisher (or DOI link). However, for ancient texts, be sure to include “ca.” (which stands for “circa”) with the date, followed by B.C.E. or C.E. For the in-text citation, you will also need to include ca. and B.C.E. or C.E. after the author’s name, followed by the date of the current version.

Author’s last name, F. M. (Year). Title of the work (Translator’s F. Last name, Trans.; Edition number ed.). Publisher. (Original work published ca. date)

Homer. (1990). The odyssey (R. Fitzgerald, Trans.). Vintage Books. (Original work published ca. 8 B.C.E.)

Parenthetical structure: Author last name, original date of the work/current version date

                     Narrative structure: Author last name (original date of the work/current version date)

                   Parenthetical example: (Homer, ca. 8 B.C.E./1990)

Narrative example: Homer (ca. 8 B.C.E./1990)

APA Formatting Guide

APA Formatting

• Annotated Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• et al Usage
• In-text Citations
• Multiple Authors
• Paraphrasing
• Page Numbers
• Parenthetical Citations
• Reference Page
• Sample Paper
• APA 7 Updates
• View APA Guide

Citation Examples

• Book Chapter
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Article
• Website (no author)
• View all APA Examples

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To cite a book in APA style, you need to have basic information including the authors, publication year, book title, and publisher. The templates for in-text citation and reference list entry of a book written by a single author along with examples are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

Author Surname (Publication Year)

Dean (2010)

Parenthetical

(Author Surname, Publication Year)

(Dean, 2010)

Reference list entry template and example:

Author Surname, F. M. (Publication Year). Book title: Subtitle of the book . Publisher Name.

Dean, J. (2010). Blog theory: Feedback and capture in the circuits of drive . Polity Press.

Set the book title in italics and sentence case. Capitalize the first word after a colon. If an edition number is given, place it after the title in parenthesis. The style should be, for example, (2nd ed.).

To cite a book chapter with multiple authors in APA style, you need to have basic information including the names of the authors, publication year, chapter title, editors, publisher, and place of publication. The templates for in-text citation and reference list entry of a book chapter along with examples are given below:

When the source has 3–20 authors

In the text, use the first author’s surname followed by “et al.”

First Author Surname et al. (Publication Year)

Rong et al. (2017)

(Author Surname et al., Publication Year)

(Rong et al., 2017)

List the names of all authors in the reference list. Use “&” before the last author’s name. The book title is set in italics. The word “In” is used before the editor’s name. Note that the style for setting the editors’ names is the initial of the first name (and if applicable, the middle name) followed by the surname. Use “(Eds.)” after the editors’ name. Do not include the publisher’s location in the reference. The example below is for three author names.

Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F.M., &  Author Surname, F.M. (Publication Year). Chapter title: Subtitle. In F. Editor1 & F. Editor2 (Eds.), Book title (pp. #–#). Publisher Name.

Rong, X. L., Hilburn, J., & Sun, W. (2017). Immigration, demographic changes, and schools in North Carolina from 1990 to 2015. In X. Rong & J. Hilburn (Eds.), Immigration and education in North Carolina (pp. 1–24). Sense.

When the source has more than 20 authors

In the text, use the first author’s surname followed by et al.

Alvarez et al. (2019)

(Alvarez et al., 2019)

List the first 19 author’s names in the reference list followed by an ellipsis. Then add the last author’s name.

Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., Author Surname, F. M., . . . Author Surname, F. M. (Publication Year). Chapter title: Subtitle. In F. Editor1 & F. Editor2 (Eds.), Book title (pp. #–#). Publisher Name.

Alvarez, L. D., Peach, J. L., Rodriguez, J. F., Donald, L., Thomas, M., Aruck, A., Samy, K., Anthony, K., Ajey, M., Rodriguez, K. L., Katherine, K., Vincent, A., Pater, F., Somu, P., Pander, L., Berd, R., Fox, L., Anders, A., Kamala, W., . . . Nicole Jones, K. (2019). Unsung psychology pioneers: A content analysis of who makes history (and who doesn’t). In R. Lerner & W. Overton (Eds.), The handbook of life-span development (pp. 509–553). Wiley.

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How to Cite a Book in APA Format

Tom Werner / Getty Images

• Basic Structure
• One or More Authors
• Article Within a Book

Citation for a Translated Book

Citation for a multivolume work, citation for an ebook or audiobook.

Citing a book in APA format involves creating an in-text citation that refers to a source listed on your reference page. APA format is the official style of the American Psychological Association and is used in both academic and professional writing.

Before you create a reference page for your papers, essays, articles, or reports, it is important to learn how to format your citations in proper APA style . This style dictates certain rules and guidelines for different types of references, including books.

Not all book citations are the same in APA style. The format may vary depending on a number of factors including the type of book and number of authors.

At a Glance

If you are writing a paper in psychology or another social science, you will need to know how to create citations for books and other sources you plan to use as references. The format for your citations will vary somewhat depending on the type of book. For example, a citation for a book with a single author is a little different than an edited book that includes multiple authors. Most sources include the author's last name and first initials, publication year, book title, edition, and publisher.

APA Book Citation: Basic Structure

The basic structure of a book reference should list the author's last name, the first initial of their first name, the first initial of their middle name (if applicable), publication year, book title, edition (if it isn't the first), and publisher.

This is the same format for both books and ebooks. If the source has a DOI link, that should also be included at the end of the reference.

The following example shows one citation with a DOI hyperlink and the second without. Note the punctuation and style. The year of publication is in parentheses. The book title is italicized and in sentence case, and the edition information is in parentheses.

Book Citations in APA

Jackson, L. M. (2019).  The psychology of prejudice: From attitudes to social action  (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.  https://doi.org/10.1037/0000168-000

Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person. Houghton Mifflin.

• Parenthetical book citation : (Jackson, 2019); (Rogers, 1961)
• Narrative book citation : Jackson (2019); Rogers (1961)

This basic format can be used for many types of books that have a single author or multiple authors. However, you may need to use one of the following formats for books that are edited, have no author, are translated, or require some specialized formatting.

Citation for an Edited Book With One or More Authors

Edited books with one or more authors will include the names of the editors in the citation. It should follow the basic structure of a book reference but also include the first name initial, last name, and "Ed." for one editor or "Eds." for multiple editors in parentheses after the book title. Use an ampersand to separate multiple authors and multiple editors.

Citing Authors and Editors

Adler, A. (1956). The individual psychology of Alfred Adler: A systematic presentation of selections from his writings. (H. L. Ansbacher, & R. R. Ansbacher, Eds.). Basic Books.

Marson, G., Keenan-Miller, D., & Costin, C. (2020). The binge eating prevention workbook. (M. Solis, Ed.). New Harbinger Publications.

• Parenthetical book citation : (Adler, 1956); (Marson, Keenan-Miller, & Costin, 2020)
• Narrative book citation : Adler (1956); Marson, Keenan-Miller, and Costin (2020)

Citation for an Edited Book With No Author

Edited books with no author should list the editors first. List the last name and first initial of the editor, followed by "Ed." or "Eds." in parentheses. The remainder of the reference should follow the basic structure and include the publication year, book title in italics, and publisher.

If the book is anything other than the first edition, it should also be noted in parentheses after the title of the book, with no italics. Remember, you don't need to include the publisher's location.

Citing Editors

Atkinson, J. W., & Rayner, J. O. (Eds.). (1974). Motivation and achievement. V. H. Winston.

• Parenthetical book citation : (Atkinson, 1974)
• Narrative book citation : Atkinson (1974)

Citation for an Article Featured in an Edited Book

Sometimes edited books feature a collection of articles written by different authors. To cite an article in such a collection, you should list the last name and first initial of the individual author(s), followed by the publication date and chapter title.

Next, the editors should be listed, followed by the title of the book and the page numbers of the chapter. The publisher's name goes last.

Citing an Article in a Book

Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2005). History of forensic psychology. In I. B. Weiner, & A. K. Hess (Eds.), The Handbook of Forensic Psychology (pp.1-27). Wiley.

• Parenthetical book citation : (Bartol & Bartol, 2005)
• Narrative book citation : Bartol and Bartol (2005)

Many famous psychology texts were originally written in another language and then translated into English. Books translated from another language should include the last name and first initial of the author, followed by the year of publication and book title.

The first initials and last name of the translator and the notation "Trans." should then be included in parentheses. Next, provide the publisher and the original year of publication.

Citing a Translator

Freud, S. (1914). The psychopathology of everyday life (A. A. Brill, Trans.). T. Fisher Unwin. (Original work published 1901).

If you're referencing a republished book, the in-text citation should include both the original and republished date. For example, if you were to reference the publication above in text, you would write "(Freud, 1901/1914)" for a parenthetical citation.

• Parenthetical book citation : (Freud, 1904/1914)
• Narrative book citation : Freud (1901/1914)

The APA style guide also explains how to cite a multivolume work. You list the last name and first initial of the author(s) or editor(s), followed by the year of publication in parentheses. Then, you put the name of the publication in italics in sentence case.

You list the specific volumes in parentheses, using a hyphen between digits. You then list the name of the publisher.

Citing a Multivolume Work

Harris, K. R., Graham, S., & Urdan T. (Eds.). (2012).  APA educational psychology handbook  (Vols. 1–3). American Psychological Association.

• Parenthetical book citation : (Harris, Graham, & Urdan, 2012)
• Narrative book citation : Harris, Graham, and Urdan (2012)

If the ebook or audiobook is also in print and the content is the same, you can cite it the same way you would a print book. However, with audiobooks, you might wish to call out specific information such as the narrator's name.

If you are crediting the narrator of an audiobook, the format is the last name and the initial of the author's first name, then the year of publication in parentheses. After listing the name of the book in italics, you put the first initial and the last name of the narrator, followed by "Narr." in parentheses.

Then you add "Audiobook" in brackets, followed by the publisher's name and URL. The seventh edition of the "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association" gives the following example:

Citing an Audiobook

Rowling, J. K. (2015).  Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone  (J. Dale, Narr.) [Audiobook]. Pottermore Publishing. http://bit.ly/2TcHchx (Original work published 1997)

In-text citations of an audio source should also add the relevant time or time ranges of the information you are citing. This should be listed as hours, minutes, and seconds.

• Parenthetical book citation : (Rowling, 02:36:05-55)
• Narrative book citation : Rowling (02:36:05-55)

More Tips for APA Book Citations

It may seem like there's a lot of information to keep in mind as you cite books in APA style. But remember, the more you practice, the easier it gets!

As you use citations throughout your paper, you'll want to make sure you keep track of them separately so you can add them to your reference page at the end.

Citations vs. References

Traditionally the term "citation" is used to refer to an in-text source, while "reference " is the correct term for a source listed on the reference page of an APA format paper.

The following are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you write an APA-style reference paper:

• Double-space : Remember that your reference page needs to be double-spaced.
• Indent : The first line of each reference should be flush left with the margin of the page. Each subsequent line of your reference should be indented.
• Use the DOI : If a digital object identifier (DOI) is available, include it at the end of the reference.
• Include the URL : If a book has been accessed via an online database , follow the basic APA format and include the full URL at the end. 
• Follow additional guidelines : Ensure you follow the other guidelines for your reference page.

APA citations are an integral part of writing in APA style. It's best to consult the latest edition of the "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association" to stay up to date on all guidelines and helpful tips.

American Psychological Association.  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association . 7th ed. American Psychological Association; 2020.

APA Style. How to cite translated works .

American Psychological Association.  Book/ebook references .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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How to Reference a Book – APA Style

3-minute read

• 19th September 2015

Getting your references right is one of the toughest parts of writing a paper, especially if you’re not experienced at using different citation systems . One option to ensure quality referencing is to have a professional check your work . But to help out, we’ve prepared this guide on how to reference a book using the APA system.

APA Referencing

The APA system is widely used by colleges, journals and academic publishers, particularly in the social sciences. Its basic format combines author-date citations and a reference list, the latter of which should be organized alphabetically.

Referencing a Printed Book in APA

References for print books use the following format, with the title and subtitle in italics and the first letter in the subtitle capitalized:

Surname, INITIALS (Year). Title: Subtitle . Publisher.

A book with a single author would therefore appear like this:

Author, A. N. (2013). Citing sources: How to use APA style . PMP Publications.

If the author’s name is mentioned in the text, the citation should include the year of publication in parentheses after the author’s name:

As stated by A. N. Author (2013), APA style referencing is truly awesome.

If the author is not mentioned in the text, include their surname in the citation:

APA style referencing is easy once you get used to it (Author, 2013).

Quoting a Book in APA style

When quoting a source, in-text citations should include relevant page numbers. If you have mentioned the author’s name in the text, page numbers should be provided in brackets after the quote:

A . N. Author (2013) claims that “APA referencing changed my life” (p. 40).

If the author’s name isn’t mentioned, give page numbers along with the surname and year after the quoted text:

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According to one expert, “the APA system makes life so much easier” (Author, 2013, p. 271).

Books with Multiple Authors

You reference works by two or more authors in a similar way. For example, a book co-authored by A. N. Author and B. A. Writer would appear in the reference list as:

Author, A. N., & Writer, B. A. (2001). Writing together: The ups and downs of collaboration. PMP Publications.

But for a source with three or more authors, the in-text citation is different. Rather than naming all authors, you simply name the first author and then write “et al.,” which means “and others”:

Two is company, three is a crowd (Smith et al., 1985).

You would then give the names of all authors in the reference list.

Republished Books in APA Style

Finally, if you’re citing a republished or reprinted version of the book, make sure to include both the original date of publication and the date of republication:

The work was later reissued (Smith, 1940/1992).

In the reference list, meanwhile, you will need to include the original date of publication at the end of the reference. For instance:

Smith, B. (1992). Some books live forever: A history of republication . Re-Press Inc. (Original work published 1940)

Expert APA Proofreading Services

Hopefully, this post helps you reference books in APA style. If you’d like to learn how to cite 50+ other source types in APA style, as well as frequently asked questions relating to APA, check out our free online APA guide . Alternatively, if you’d like an APA expert to check your work, discover our APA proofreading services .

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Need editing and proofreading services, how to cite a book in apa style | format & examples.

• Tags: Academic Writing , APA Citations , APA Style , Citations and References , Research Paper

If you need a simple explanation about citing books using the APA format, this article is for you! Accurately referenced APA book citations give clarity to readers about the sources used. In this article, we’ll explain the guidelines for APA 7 book citation in detail. 

We’ve also included specific examples to help you understand how to cite a book in the APA format. From explaining how to write in-text citations to how to cite multivolume books, we’ve covered everything for you. Dive in to understand how to cite ebooks, online books, chapters from edited books, and much more! 

Ensure flawless APA book citations!   Get started

How to cite a book in APA 7th edition 

An APA book citation usually begins with the author’s surname and first and middle name initials. If the middle initials aren’t mentioned, only the first and last names are cited. The book title is italicized whereas the publication year is written in parentheses (). An in-text citation for the book is also included where the author’s surname and the book’s publication year are cited. 

Following is the format for a simple APA 7th edition book citation: 

Author’s name, (year of publication), book title , (book edition), publisher, DOI (if available). 

Here’s an example of how to cite a book in an APA reference page: 

Chadee, D. (2022). Theories in social psychology (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. 

         Parenthetical in-text citation: (Chadee, 2022) 

          Narrative in-text citation: Chadee (2022)

The APA book citation format to reference a direct quotation from a book is completely different from the above example. Given below is an example of how to cite a quotation in APA from a book. 

Reactance theory was developed by Jack W. Brehm and articulated in his Theory of  Psychological Reactance. (Chadee, D, 2022, p.15) 

        Parenthetical citation: (Chadee, 2022, p.15)

        Narrative citation: Chadee (2022, p.15) 

While the above examples show how to cite books with a single author, the APA format to cite books with multiple authors varies. If the book has two authors, their names are separated by an ampersand in the APA book citation. For example: 

Giddens, A., & Sutton, P. (2021). Essential concepts in sociology. Polity Press. 

Parenthetical citation: (Giddens & Sutton, 2021)

Narrative citation: Giddens & Sutton, (2021) 

If there are more than two authors, the last names and initials of all authors are cited in the APA reference page. In the in-text citation, only the first author’s name is mentioned followed by the words et al and the publication year in parentheses. For example: 

Tomley, S., Hobbs, M., Todd, M., Weeks, M. (2015). The sociology book: big ideas  simply explained. Doring Kindersley Limited. 

Parenthetical citation: (Tomley et al., 2015) 

Narrative citation: Tomley et al. (2015) 

These examples accurately exhibit how to cite a book in APA in the text and reference page: Let us now see how to cite a book chapter in the APA format. 

Citing a book chapter in APA 

The APA citation for a chapter in a book includes the following details: : 

Author’s name, publication year, chapter title, editor/ editors names, book title , page range, publisher and DOI (if available). 

For example: 

Reed, I & Lamb-Books, B. (2011). Hermeneutics and Sociology: Deepening the  Interpretive Perspective. In I. Zake & M. DeCesare (Eds.), New Directions in Sociology: Essays on Theory and Methodology in the 21st Century (pp. 13-30)  McFarland & Company 

Parenthetical In-text citation: (Reed & Lamb-Books, 2011, p. 51) 

Narrative in-text citation: Reed & Lamb-Books (2011, p. 51) 

The above APA citation examples clearly demonstrate how to cite a chapter in a book. This format differs from how online books and ebooks are cited according to the APA style guide. Let’s now understand the APA book format for ebooks and online books in detail. 

Citing online books and ebooks in APA  

Following is the format to cite online books and ebooks in APA: 

Author’s Name, Publication Date, Book Title , Publisher, DOI (if available) 

Note: If the DOI is not available, you can link the URL where you viewed the book or the site from where the book can be purchased or accessed. 

Here is an APA citation example of an online book without DOI: 

Korgen, K. O., & Atkinson, M. P. (Eds.). (2020). Sociology in action . SAGE  Publications.  https://www.amazon.com/Sociology-Action-Kathleen-Odell-Korgen/dp/1071802283

          Parenthetical citation: (Korgen & Atkinson, 2020) 

         Narrative citation: Korgen & Atkinson (2020) 

Citing Single-volume Books in APA 

There are two ways to cite single-volume books. If the volume’s title is given, the APA format to cite the source is: 

Author’s name, publication year, volume number and title, publisher, and DOI (if available).  

The title and volume number are then italicized in the citation entry. For example: 

Kelly, G. (2005). The psychology of personal constructs. Vol. 1, A theory of personality . Routledge 

Parenthetical citation: (Kelly, 2005) 

Narrative citation: Kelly (2005) 

However, if the volume has no title, instead, it only has a number, then this number is written after the title and is not italicized. Here’s an example: 

‌Roth, I. (Ed). (2021). Introduction to psychology (Vol 1). Psychology Press

Parenthetical citation: (Roth, 2021) 

Narrative citation: Roth, (2021) 

Citing multi-volume books in APA 

The volumes need to be mentioned after the title in parentheses to cite a book with multiple volumes. The volume titles aren’t included in the citation entry for multiple volumes. The format to cite a multi-volume book is: 

Author’s name, first and middle initials, publication year, book title , volume number, publisher, DOI (if available).   

Graceffo, R. A. (2022). A Humane Vision of Clinical Psychology, (Volume 2). Taylor &  Francis 

If you wish to cite the entire multi-volume book, you need to cite the volumes in parentheses after the book title. For example: 

James, W. (2021). The principles of psychology , (Vols. 1–2) Henry Holt & Company  (Originally published 1890) 

Citing edited books with no authors in APA 

To cite edited books with no authors, the editors’ surnames and first name initials are written followed by an abbreviation for editors. If there is one editor, the word “Ed.” is written in parentheses. However, if there are two or more editors, the word “Eds.” is written in parentheses. Following is the format to cite edited books in APA format: 

Editors’ last names, first and middle initials, publication year, book title, publisher, and DOI (if available). 

Lamont, M. & Thevenot, L. (Eds.). (2000). Rethinking comparative cultural sociology. Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511628108

Note: If you wish to cite an edition other than the first, you need to mention the edition number in the citation entry. Here is an APA book citation example for a book with an edition: 

Janoro, R. & Altshuler, T. (2016). The art of being human (11thed.). Pearson. 

Citing a textbook in APA format 

Since a textbook has more than one author, the citation for a textbook is different from that of a book with a single author. Let’s see the following format to understand how to cite a textbook according to APA’s style guide: 

Authors’ name, publication year, textbook title , edition, publisher, and DOI (if available). 

Dealey, J. Q., & Ward, L. F. (1905). A text-book of sociology. MacMillan Co.  https://doi.org/10.1037/13855-000

The in-text citations in APA format are written differently, depending on the number of authors to cite. If the textbook has only two authors, the surnames of both authors are written along with the year of publication. For example:

Parenthetical citation: (Dealey & Ward, 1905)

Narrative citation: Dealey & Ward. (1905) 

If the textbook has more than two authors, in the in-text citation, only the first author’s name is written, followed by the words “et al” and the publication date. For example: 

Parenthetical citation: (Brock et al. 2004) 

Narrative citation: Brock et al. (2004) 

Citing a book with a new foreword in APA 

The format for an APA citation for a book with a new foreword is: 

Original Author’s Name, Author of the New Foreword, the Publication Year of the Book with the New Foreword, book title, edition number, publisher, and the year the book was first published. 

Varisco, D. (with Majid, A.). (2018). Culture Still Matters: Notes From the Field . (121st  ed.) BRILL. (Original work published 2001)

For the in-text citation, you only need to mention the original author who wrote the book, the year the book was originally published and the year the book with the new foreword was published. For example: 

Parenthetical citation: (Varisco, 2001, 2018)

Narrative citation: Varisco (2001, 2018) 

Citing a translated book 

Following is the format to cite a translated book in APA style: 

Author’s last name, first initials, the year the translated book was published, name of the translator, publisher, the year when the book was first published. For example: 

Öcalan, A., (2020). The sociology of freedom. (Havin Guneser, Trans.). PM Press. (Original work published 2019) 

Parenthetical citation: (Öcalan, 2019/2020) 

Narrative citation: Öcalan (2019/2020) 

Here is an example of an APA citation for a chapter of a book, republished in translation: 

Freud, S. (2022). Group psychology and the analysis of the ego. (J. Strachey Trans.) In E.  Jones (Ed.), Le Bon’s description of the group mind (pp 5–23) Lector House (Original  work published 1921). 

Parenthetical citation: (Freud, 1921/2022) 

Narrative citation: Freud (1921/2022) 

We hope these APA book citation examples have cleared all your doubts about how to reference books. As editing and proofreading experts, we realize how citing sources in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and Oxford formats can seem tricky. 

To help you understand how to effectively cite sources, we have created a useful list of resources. Continue reading to brush up on your knowledge of various style guides! 

• Research Paper Format: APA, MLA, & Chicago Style
• MLA Annotated Bibliography | Guidelines and Examples
• How to Create an MLA Header | Format Guidelines & Examples
• How to Create an MLA Title Page | Format, Steps, & Examples
• MLA Format: 9th Edition Paper Formatting Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

How to format an apa book citation for a single author, how to format a citation for a book with an unknown publication year, how to format an apa book citation for a book with multiple authors.

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Reference format for print books

Reference list entry:

In-text citations:

• Use the first few words of the title, or the complete title if short, as listed in your reference list, and the date.
• double quotation marks for the title of an article or chapter or webpage;
• italics for the title of a journal or book or brochure or report;
• capitals for both.

Two - seven authors

In-text citations - two authors

• Use " and " between author names in a sentence
• Use " & " between author names in an in-text citation
• In the reference list use " & "
• Always give both authors each time you cite the work​

In-text citations - three, four or five authors

• Give all authors the first time you cite them
• In subsequent citations, give only the first author and et al.
• Include the year if this is the first citation of this reference in the paragraph

In-text citations -  six or more authors

• Cite only the surname of the first author, et al. and the year (always give the year).

Corporate author (organization)

Reference list entry:

• The first time you cite it in-text, write the corporate author in full with its abbreviation in square brackets "[...]" plus date.
• In subsequent citations use the abbreviation plus date.

Unabbreviated corporate authors

In-text citation:

Write the corporate author in full every time if it is not well known by abbreviation.

Corporate author as publisher

In the reference list, where the author and publisher are the same, use the word Author in the publisher position.

New edition of a book

Edited book

Chapter from an edited book

• the author(s) of the chapter is the main entry in your reference list and in your in text citation

Chapter from an edited book, newer edition

Book with a volume number of a series

Several volumes in a multivolume work

Reprints and translations

• give the date of the version that you have read after the author; put the date of the original publication at the end
• in text give both dates: (Freud, 1900/1953).

Classical works

• in text give both dates: (Plato, 380 B.C./1961)

Wordless picture book

Reference format:

Reference list entry :

Graphic novel where author and illustrator are given equal credit for authorship

Always use the DOI (digital object identifier) for an e-book if it is available.

Ebook - with doi:.

ebook - Kindle:

ebook - free online, no DOI:

• include the full URL or the site's homepage URL, whichever takes you to the source more reliably

ebook - via the AUT Library, no DOI:

• Replace the URL of the database with the homepage of the publisher.

For example:

Replace the database URL for the reference above,

https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.aut.ac.nz/lib/AUT/detail.action?docID=1121624

with the Proquest homepage URL:

http://www.ebookcentral.proquest.com

Chapter in an edited ebook - with DOI:

Chapter in an edited ebook - not from AUT Library:

• If the date of the most recent change or update is not clear from the website entry, include the retrieval date

Online dictionary definition:

In-text citations guide  

• Treat a book that is a  compilation of chapters  from other books and published specifically for AUT (or another organisation) as an  edited book
• Include the  name and centre  for which it is published, if that is stated with the other publishing details in the first few pages of the book

Book - where the organisation for which the book is compiled is not named:

Book - where the organisation is named:

Book chapter:

A reference list only lists the sources you have referred to in your writing.  

The purpose of the reference list is to allow your sources to be be found by your reader. It also gives credit to authors whose work and ideas you have considered.  All references cited in the text must appear in the reference list, except for personal communications (such as conversations or emails) which cannot be retrieved.  

A bibliography is different from a reference list as it lists all the sources used during your research and background reading, not just the ones you refer to in your writing.  

Reference list example

A secondary citation is where you are citing information or quotes the author of your reference has taken from source that you have not read.

• Name the author of the original work in your text, cite the secondary source in in-text citation: (as cited in ..., 1993)

Reference list entry: 

• Give the secondary source in the reference list.
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Answered By: Gabe Gossett Last Updated: Jun 22, 2023     Views: 648001

The basic format for an in-text citation is: Title of the Book (Author Last Name, year).

One author: Where the Wild Things Are (Sendak, 1963) is a depiction of a child coping with his anger towards his mom.

Two authors (cite both names every time): Brabant and Mooney (1986) have used the comic strip to examine evidence of sex role stereotyping. OR The comic strip has been used to examine evidence of sex role stereotyping (Brabant & Mooney, 1986).

Three or more authors (cite the first author plus et al.): Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy (Clare et al., 2016) depicts a young man's experience at the Shadowhunter Academy, a place where being a former vampire is looked down upon.OR Clare et al. (2016) have crafted a unique story about a young man's journey to find himself.

No author: Cite the first few words of the reference entry (usually the title) and the year. Use double quotation marks around the title of an article or chapter, and italicize the title of a periodical, book, brochure, or report. Examples: From the book Study Guide (2000) ... or ("Reading," 1999).

Note: Titles of periodicals, books, brochures, or reports should be in italics and use normal title capitalization rules.

If you are citing multiple sources by multiple authors in-text, you can list all of them by the author's last name and year of publication within the same set of parentheses, separated by semicolons.

Example: (Adams, 1999; Jones & James, 2000; Miller, 1999)

For more information on how to cite books in-text and as a reference entry, see the APA Publication Manual (7th edition) Section 10.2 on pages 321-325 .

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Comments (13)

• This was very useful for me! I was having a really hard time finding information on how to mention an article title AND the author in text in APA so this was very helpful!!! by Ryan Waddell on Jun 27, 2019
• If I just mention that I used a book to teach a topic do I have to include it in the reference list? by Franw on Oct 17, 2019
• @Franw, if it is a source that informs your paper in any way, or if your reader would have reason to look it up, then you should include a full reference list entry for the book. by Gabe [Research & Writing Studio] on Oct 18, 2019
• Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question, but I think the OP is asking how to refer to a book title, not how to cite one. I believe APA uses quotation marks around book titles and MLA uses italics. by AB on Dec 12, 2019
• @AB: The first sentence has been tweaked to clarify title of book usage, reflecting the examples given. For APA style you should use italics for book titles. It would be quotation marks. by Gabe [Research & Writing Studio] on Dec 12, 2019
• Hi, can any one help me with in-text-citation of this, how can i cite it in the text Panel, I. L. (2002). Digital transformation: A framework for ICT literacy. Educational Testing Service, 1-53. by Milad on Aug 20, 2021
• @Milad: In that case it would be (Panel, 2002). If you are quoting, or otherwise choosing to include page numbers, put a comma after the year, then p. and the page number(s). by Gabe Gossett on Aug 20, 2021
• Hey, I'm a little bit curious, what if I'm mentioning a book and paraphrasing it but still want to give credit. Would I put the information into parenthesis instead? Like: Paraphrased info. ("Title in Italics" Author, year) by Kai on Sep 14, 2023
• @Kai: Apologies for not seeing your question sooner! (Our academic year has not started yet). If I am understanding your question correctly, what I suggest is referring to the book title in the narrative of your writing, rather than in the in-text citation. I do not see an examples of using a book title in an in-text citation except for rare circumstances including citing a classic religious text or using the title when there is no author information because it is the start of your reference list entry. Basically, APA's in-text convention is supposed to make it easy for your reader to locate the source being cited in the reference list. So the first part of the in-text citation, usually authors, comes first to locate it alphabetically. Putting the book title first when you have an author name can throw that off. by Gabe Gossett on Sep 21, 2023
• Perhaps this is along the lines of the response to Kai - Can you reference a book title as a common point of social understanding to demonstrate a common concept? Is official citing required if you use widely known titles such as "Where's Waldo" and "Who Moved My Cheese?" to make a point of illustration? by Chez Renee on Sep 30, 2023
• @Chez: Aside from some classical religious texts, if it is a published book, I'd try to make sure that it is appropriately cited for APA style. That said, I think I understand where it gets tricky with things like Where's Waldo, since that is a series of books and stating "Where's Waldo" is a cultural reference many people would understand, though you can't reasonably cite the entire series. I don't believe that APA gives guidance for this particular issue. If it is being referred to in order to back up a claim, it would help to cite a particular book. If not, then it might work to use a statement such as, "Hanford's Where's Waldo series . . ." by Gabe Gossett on Oct 02, 2023
• How to cite a dissertation thesis in apa form? by Elizabeth on Feb 05, 2024
• @Elizabeth: For citing a dissertation or thesis you can check out our page answering that here https://askus.library.wwu.edu/faq/153308 by Gabe Gossett on Feb 05, 2024

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Learn the Standard Essay Format: MLA, APA, Chicago Styles

With modern technologies, students have a lot of tools that can assist them in meeting academic writing requirements. A student may entrust their assignment to an essay writing service and get a professional writer who will complete a customized paper for them or use free online tools like citation generators or an AI checker essay . These can help the student meet certain needs, like creating citations, a reference list for a college paper, and checking a paper for plagiarism and AI-generated content.

In this article, we will cover one of the trickiest issues every student faces in college: What is an essay format? How to use formatting styles, and what are their requirements?

Essay formats and their particularities: APA, MLA, Chicago

There are three frequently used formatting styles that you may need to follow when working on your academic paper. These are APA, MLA, and Chicago. Let’s take a look at each format essay and figure out how to apply every alternative in your papers. 

APA essay format

APA style is a standard essay format for social sciences such as psychology, education, and sociology. It provides clarity, precision, and the importance of data and research. If you need a detailed guide on how to write an essay in APA format , the “Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association” is what you need. It provides comprehensive rules for formatting college papers, citing sources, and structuring your content.

Here are the key requirements for the APA essay format that you have to follow in your writing:

• Font : 12-point Times New Roman
• Spacing : Double-spaced
• Margins : 1 inch on all sides
• Header : Title with a page number on the right
• Title page : Topic of the paper, author’s name, institution affiliation, course number and name, instructor’s name, due date
• Abstract : A brief summary (about 150-250 words)
• Main body : Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion
• In-text citations : Author’s last name, year, p. page number . Example : Johnson, 2018, p. 111
• References page : The “References” title centered at the top of the page, with entries in alphabetical order by author’s last name, double-spaced, with a hanging indent

MLA (Modern Language Association) essay format

MLA essay formatting is usually used in the humanities. Students are mostly assigned to use this formatting style when working on papers in language disciplines or literature. The MLA style provides the authorship of sources, facilitating clarity and consistency in citation and documentation. The MLA style is perfectly detailed in the MLA Handbook. There, you can find guidelines on how to format papers, cite sources properly, and omit any sign of plagiarism.

If you are searching for guidelines on how to write a diagnostic essay or any other college paper in the MLA formatting style, here are the instructions to follow:

• Header : Last name and page number in the top right corner
• Title : Centered, standard capitalization, NOT bolded or underlined
• Title Page : Not typically required
• The first page : Student’s name, instructor’s name, course, date
• In-Text Citations : (Author’s Last Name Page Number) Example : (Smith 123)
• References page : The “Works Cited” title centered at the top of the page, with entries in alphabetical order by author’s last name, double-spaced, with a hanging indent

Chicago essay format

Chicago formatting is widely used for college papers in various disciplines, like history, the arts, sciences, etc. Consult The Chicago Manual of Style if you need detailed instructions on how to use this formatting style in writing. The Chicago formatting style offers two central documentation systems. The first one is Notes and Bibliography, which is commonly used in the humanities. The second one is Author-Date, which is preferred in the sciences and social sciences. The Notes and Bibliography system is well-known for its detailed footnotes or endnotes and comprehensive bibliography.

If you have no idea how to write an argumentative essay using the Chicago formatting style, here are the guidelines to follow:

• Header : Page number in the top right corner
• Title page : Topic of the paper, author’s name, course information, date
• Main body : Typically divided into sections as needed
• Footnotes/Endnotes : Superscript number in the text, with corresponding note at the bottom of the page or end of the paper. Example : Smith argues that this was not the case.¹ Corresponding footnote : ¹ John Smith, Title of Book (Publisher, Year), page number.
• Bibliography page : The “Bibliography” title centered at the top of the page, with entries in alphabetical order by author’s last name, single-spaced within entries, double-spaced between entries, with a hanging indent.

The checklist to make sure you have met all essay format requirements

When your paper is complete, it is very important to make sure you have done everything properly. Grab this checklist and make sure you have formatted your essay correctly and haven’t missed anything important.

The last step is, of course, to proofread your essay and ensure that it meets all your instructor’s requirements. If you have checked it thoroughly, then you are ready to hand it in. 

Format essay: Other formatting styles you may have to follow in academic writing

Of course, there are other formatting styles than APA, MLA, and Chicago. Let’s take a quick look at other essay formats you can face when working on a college paper. 

• Harvard . This is a basic essay format for social sciences. It uses an author-date citation system similar to APA but has some formatting differences.
• Turabian . This is a simplified version of the Chicago style. It is well-known for being required for writing academic papers, theses, and dissertations.
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). This particular formatting style is used predominantly in technical fields like engineering and computer science. This formatting style uses a numerical citation system. 
• AMA (American Medical Association). This formatting style is often used in medical and health-related fields. It uses a numerical citation system with superscript numbers.
• Vancouver . This formatting style is usually used in biomedical and physical sciences. It includes a numerical citation system with citations in parentheses.
• CSE (Council of Science Editors). This formatting style can often be met in natural sciences. It offers three systems: Citation-Sequence, Name-Year, and Citation-Name.
• ASA (American Sociological Association). ASA formatting style is primarily used in sociology. It has a lot of similarities with the APA formatting style but has specific differences for sociological research. 
• APSA (American Political Science Association). As can be comprehended from the name of the formatting style, it is often used in political science papers. This formatting style is based on the Chicago style but has some specific guidelines for political science.

Students face many issues on their way to getting a degree, and writing college papers takes a great deal of effort and time. Some learners have no idea how to write a narrative essay , spending hours searching for reliable information to help them handle the task. Others do not have enough experience in different formatting styles and seek assistance from various sources. And, of course, every college learner wants to research the topic to the fullest in order to get a good mark. 

We hope this article will come in handy when you need to write a college essay using a specific formatting style, and you will succeed.

Being a student, you have to handle a lot of writing assignments, follow various academic writing standards, and hand in your papers on time. Of course, writing assignments takes a lot of time and effort. On the one hand, students have to research topics profoundly and compose their papers on a research basis. On the other hand, students have to pay close attention to instructors’ requirements and academic standards.

TFor some students, it is no problem to research different issues because they usually choose the ones that interest them, but it could be a real trouble to meet all the formatting requirements. They often question how to write a book title in an essay , cite sources correctly, and write an essay in a particular formatting style.

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How to Write a Bibliography [Tips with Examples]

Going through the process of writing a report as a student often feels like being thrown into the deep end without a map. While you're typically given a sample report to follow, it rarely provides the systematic guidance needed to tackle the task effectively. This lack of structured support can leave you feeling confused and unsure where to begin.

The same challenge extends to writing bibliographies. Without clear instructions, understanding how to compile and format references can be daunting. In this guide, I aim to demystify the art of how to write a bibliography, offering step-by-step instructions and additional tips to help you navigate this essential aspect of academic writing with confidence.

What is a Bibliography?

A bibliography serves as a crucial component of academic writing, which includes a detailed list of all sources consulted during research. It not only validates the credibility of your work but also aids readers in retracing your steps to verify facts, data, and insights you've presented. Here’s more on what’s the purpose of bibliographies and what does it include:

Purpose of a Bibliography:

A bibliography supports academic integrity by:

Demonstrating thorough research conducted for the assignment.

Crediting original authors for their contributions.

Enabling readers to locate and explore cited sources independently.

Providing a foundation for future scholars to build upon your research.

Components of a Bibliography:

Citation Details: Includes the author's name, title of the work, publication details (like publisher and year), and specific pages or chapters referenced.

Formatting: Follows specific style guides (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style) for consistency and clarity.

Organizational Structure: Typically arranged alphabetically by author’s last name or chronologically for historical works.

Annotations (in annotated bibliographies): Brief evaluations summarizing each source’s relevance, scope, and potential bias.

Categories of Bibliographies:

Enumerative Bibliography: Lists sources categorically, such as by author or topic, without additional commentary.

Analytical Bibliography: Explores the physical attributes and evolution of a work, including details like publication history and format changes.

Annotated Bibliography: Provides annotations explaining each source's significance, aiding in understanding its relevance to the research topic.

Subject Bibliography: Organizes sources by subject matter, facilitating research within specific fields or disciplines.

National Bibliography: Compiles works published within a specific country or region, often including cultural or historical contexts.

How to Write a Bibliography Step by Step?

Learning how to write a bibliography is a crucial skill in academics. It's all about giving credit where it's due - acknowledging the sources you've used in your research. Whether you're crafting an essay bibliography or a reference list for a longer paper, the basics remain the same.

In this section, we'll explore these core elements of bibliography writing. By understanding these basics, you'll be equipped to create accurate citations regardless of the specific format required. A well-crafted bibliography not only prevents plagiarism but also demonstrates the depth of your research. So, let's have a look at the basics of how to write a bibliography for essays or research papers.

Step 1: Gather Your Resources

First things first, let's round up all the materials you've used for your research. This includes:

Books: Whether they're physical copies or e-books, make sure you've got them all listed.

Articles: This covers journal articles, magazine pieces, and newspaper reports.

Websites: Any online sources you've referenced should be included.

Other media: Don't forget about videos, podcasts, or interviews you might have used.

Maintain an ongoing list of sources as you research—it'll simplify your work later on!

Step 2: Record Citation Information

Now, here's where the real work begins. For each source, you'll need to jot down:

Author(s): Full names, please!

Title of the work: Whether it's a book title, article name, or website header.

Publication date: When was this information made available?

Publisher: Who put this information out there?

Page numbers: If you're using a physical book or a PDF with page numbers.

URL and access date: For online sources, note when you accessed the information.

Here's a quick example of what bibliographies for different sources might look like:

For a book:

Author: Jane Smith

Title: The Art of Bibliography Writing

Publication Date: 2022

Publisher: Academic Press

Pages:56-58

For a website:

Author: John Doe

Title: "10 Tips for Perfect Citations"

Publication Date: March 15, 2023

URL: www.citationtips.com

Accessed: July 17, 2024

Step 3: Format Your Bibliography

Next, we need to consider the formatting requirements. Remember, each academic style may have different formatting demands, but they all adhere to the same general rules:

Alphabetical order:

Arrange entries by the author's last name.

For works without an author, use the title (ignoring articles like "A," "An," or "The" at the beginning).

Hanging indent :

Set a hanging indent of 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) for each entry.

The first line of each entry should be flush left, with subsequent lines indented.

Double-space the entire bibliography for most styles.

Some styles may require single spacing within entries and double spacing between them.

Consistency:

Use the same punctuation, capitalization, and formatting throughout.

Pay attention to details like italicization and quotation marks.

Speaking of styles, there are several to choose from, and the one you use often depends on your field of study or your instructor's preference. The most common are:

APA (American Psychological Association)

MLA (Modern Language Association)

Don't worry – we'll look into each of these academic styles in the upcoming sections where we'll discuss the formatting requirements for each style in detail, along with a few examples to help you understand how to format a bibliography according to different academic styles!

Bibliographies in any format often involve formatting risks, especially when converting to PDF. That's why I'll demonstrate WPS Office to you, where not only will my formatting remain preserved, but it's also the ideal office suite for students. It offers free capabilities and is easily navigable

How to Write a Bibliography in APA Format?

APA (American Psychological Association) format is widely used in social sciences. Before we dive into examples, let's review the key formatting requirements:

APA Formatting Requirements:

Title the page "References" centered at the top.

Double-space all entries.

Use a hanging indent for each entry (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches).

Alphabetize entries by the author's last name.

For multiple works by the same author, order chronologically from earliest to most recent.

Use only the initials for authors' first and middle names.

Now, let's look at how to cite different types of sources:

Author's last name, first initial. (Publication date). Book title. Additional information. City of publication: Publishing company.

Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers: The story of success. Little, Brown and Company.

Journal Articles:

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year). Title of article. Name of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page range. DOI if available

Krueger, R. F., & Markon, K. E. (2006). Reinterpreting comorbidity: A model-based approach to understanding and classifying psychopathology. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 2, 111-133. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.2.022305.095213

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of page. Website Name. URL

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 5). COVID-19 vaccination clinical and professional resources. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/index.html

How to Write a Bibliography in MLA Format?

MLA (Modern Language Association) format is commonly used in humanities. Let's review the formatting requirements:

Formatting Requirements:

Title the page "Works Cited" centered at the top.

If no author is given, alphabetize by the title, ignoring articles (A, An, The).

Use the full first name of authors, not just initials.

Now, these are some ways on how to cite different types of sources:

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

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2002.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Name of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Year of Publication, pp. Page Range.

Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Philosophy of Composition." Graham's Magazine, vol. 28, no. 4, 1846, pp. 163-167.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Web Page." Name of Website, Date of Publication or Last Update, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Hollmichel, Stefanie. "The Reading Brain: Differences between Digital and Print." So Many Books, 25 Apr. 2013, somanybooksblog.com/2013/04/25/the-reading-brain-differences-between-digital-and-print/. Accessed 4 May 2023.

How to Write a Bibliography in Chicago Format?

Chicago style has two systems: notes and bibliography (used in humanities) and author-date (used in sciences and social sciences). We'll focus on the notes and bibliography system. First, the formatting requirements:

Title the page "Bibliography" centered at the top.

Single-space each entry, with a blank line between entries.

Here’s how you can cite different types of sources in Chicago format:

Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952.

Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Name of Journal Volume Number, no. Issue Number (Year of Publication): Page Range.

Sontag, Susan. "Against Interpretation." Evergreen Review 34 (1964): 76-84.

Last Name, First Name. "Title of Web Page." Name of Website. Publishing Organization, Publication or Modified Date. URL.

Kenzie, Susan. "The Elements of Chicago Style." Writing Resources. University of Chicago, last modified March 23, 2022. https://writingresources.uchicago.edu/chicago-style-elements .

How to Write a Bibliography in Harvard Format?

Harvard referencing style is commonly used in the UK and Australia. Let's review the formatting requirements:

Title the page "Reference List" or "References" centered at the top.

You can site different type of sources in the following ways in Harvard format:

Author's Last name, Initial(s). (Year) Title of book. Edition (if not first edition). Place of publication: Publisher.

Hawking, S. (1988) A brief history of time. London: Bantam Books.

Author's Last name, Initial(s). (Year) 'Title of article', Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page range.

Boughton, J.M. (2002) 'The Bretton Woods proposal: an in-depth look', Political Science Quarterly, 42(6), pp. 564-578.

Author's Last name, Initial(s). (Year) Title of web page. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).

BBC News (2023) Climate change: Scientists warn of 'irreversible' impacts. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51742646 (Accessed: 17 July 2023).

Bonus Tips: Using WPS to Perfect your Bibliography

WPS Office is a golden ticket for academic success, especially for students navigating the intricacies of bibliography writing. Often, students struggle with formatting details, but WPS AI steps in as a reliable assistant, ensuring seamless document preparation.

1.Convert Word to PDF without Losing Format

One of WPS Office's standout features is its ability to convert Word documents to PDF flawlessly. Unlike Microsoft Word, which can sometimes disrupt formatting, WPS Office ensures that your meticulously formatted bibliographies in APA, MLA, or Chicago style are preserved without any loss of structure or design. This reliability is crucial as it saves students valuable time and effort, allowing them to focus on the content rather than technical adjustments.

2.Check the Format & Spelling

WPS AI goes beyond formatting; it also checks for spelling and grammar errors with precision. This feature guarantees that your bibliographies are not only visually polished but also linguistically flawless. Students can rest assured that their academic work meets the highest standards of clarity and correctness, enhancing both their academic credibility and professional presentation skills.

1. What is annotated bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a collection of sources that provides a summary of research related to a specific topic. It includes a list of citations for each source, accompanied by a brief descriptive text (an annotation) that summarizes and evaluates the content. This annotation helps readers understand the source's relevance and usefulness. An annotated bibliography can function as a standalone assignment or be incorporated as part of a larger research project.

2. How can I cite without author name or date?

If the source lacks an author or date, incorporate the title into your signal phrase or within parentheses, using the abbreviation "n.d." (for "no date"). Another study focusing on students and their research choices found that those who received tutoring achieved success ("Tutoring and APA," n.d.).

Format Your Academic Research With WPS Office

Your research likely consumed a great deal of time, effort, and especially involved extensive digging into research papers, books, and other materials. And you took your time learning how to write a bibliography but to ensure your research is solid and authentic, it's crucial to include all these sources in the correct format on your bibliography page. Otherwise, your research may lack credibility. WPS Office helps restore that confidence by assisting you in formatting it correctly. Download WPS Office and discover how it can significantly aid you as a student.

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• 3. How to Write A Literature Review - Steps with Examples
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• Explain Being Fired During an...

Explain Being Fired During an Interview

6 min read · Updated on December 15, 2021

Don't get burned during your first interview after getting fired.

Your first job interview after being fired can be intimidating. You probably think you have no chance of getting the job — who wants to hire someone that has just been canned? You are probably nervous about how to answer when the recruiter asks about it. Being asked about why you were terminated is one of the most challenging and intimidating interview questions to face.

First off, don't panic and don't be embarrassed; people get fired from their jobs every day . These people go on to find new jobs, and you will find another job, too. So, don't beat yourself up or doubt you'll be getting a job after being fired. Remember all of the good you have accomplished in your career.

You will (without a doubt) be asked to explain being fired so be prepared to discuss it during an interview. If you were the recruiter, wouldn't you want to know? Don't worry; you got this. Your answer could even help you land the position if done correctly. 

So, what is the best way to respond? These tips will help you maneuver through the dreaded question and help you with getting a job after being fired.

Honesty is the best policy

There is no easy way to explain to a prospective employer that you were fired from your previous job . The best approach is simple: Be honest. Tell the truth and be transparent with all of your answers. The worst way to handle the question is to lie about it.

Lying is like a forest fire; it spreads, with one lie leading to another and another. There is a chance that your potential employer will find out about the lie — and no one wants to hire a dishonest candidate. Truth has a funny way of always coming out, so don't let it cause you to get fired again.

While you should absolutely be honest when you explain why you were fired, you do not have to give every nitty-gritty detail about the situation. Keep your answer high level, explaining the circumstance briefly and moving on. The last thing you want is to draw extra attention to the situation. 

Here's an example of how to answer honestly:

"After some personnel shuffling, the job was no longer working out. So, my boss and I agreed that it was time for me to move on to a position better suited to my skills. I'm excited to get back to it."

Leave emotion out

Resist the urge to badmouth your previous employer. Even if you believe you were wronged, remaining objective and not placing blame are key. As much as it may pain you, stay positive and avoid saying anything negative about your previous boss or company; it will only make you look distasteful and defensive.

The recruiter and hiring manager are more likely to side with your previous employer if you start to play the blame game, as well. Start and end the conversation on a good note. The employer is evaluating if you will be a positive addition to his team, and no one likes a whiner.

Here's an example of how to answer:

"In being let go, I have certainly found some silver linings. I am excited to have the opportunity to find a job that's better suited to my qualifications and interests."

Show that you've learned

Take responsibility for your part of the situation; there are always two sides to every story. Even if you feel as if you were the victim, your actions had something to do with it. Remain mature and professional by showing how you grew personally and professionally through this experience. By answering in this fashion, you will demonstrate strength, self-confidence, and character. The hiring manager will love to hear that you turned a negative situation into an asset.

Nobody is perfect — not you, not the recruiter, and not a single employee at the prospective company you are interviewing with. Perhaps even one (or several) of the people you talk to during an interview have been fired in the past . The hiring manager does not expect you to be perfect; they realize that you have made mistakes. The important part is that you have learned from them. Share how much you have grown since being terminated and how you will approach similar situations in the future, using the learning experience as an advantage for your next job.

"When I initially accepted the job, I was desperate for work. After some time and evaluation, I realized I had jumped into the wrong position, and I won't make that mistake again. I now know that I prefer an environment that is team-oriented."

Know your former employer's policies

Before you even start interviewing, speak with your former employer's HR department to get a clear understanding of how the company will be representing the separation. What can you say and what can't you say? Some companies have strict policies about disclosing any information beyond the dates of employment. Violate these policies and your former employee could sue you or take back your severance. 

Practice makes perfect

If you are at all nervous about answering questions on your termination or explain being fired, the best thing you can do for yourself is to practice what you will say.  Getting fired from a company is an emotional experience, and it may take some practice to talk about it openly and objectively.

Write down your thoughts, practice in front of a mirror, videotape yourself, or ask someone to give you a mock interview. You can even work with a professional interview coach to master your response. Sites like TopInterview specialize in helping you prep to ace this question. They will also watch your body language and confidence level, helping you practice until you like what you see.

Remember that people get fired all of the time. It does not mean you are a bad employee, and your interviewer will not think poorly of you. It doesn't mean you're never getting a job after being fired, either.

Don't make a big deal out of it, and remember that you are your worst critic. No one is going to judge you for being fired. In fact, most workers will be fired or let go at some point in their careers.

Answer the question with confidence, chalk it up as a learning experience, show the recruiter who you are and what you have to offer. You are a strong candidate. Your termination was merely a speed bump in your career path. Follow these tips and strategies outlined above, and then walk out with your head held high. 

Want more help preparing for your next interview? Check out our sister site, TopInterview .

Recommended Reading

• You've Been Fired. What Now?
• 5 Signs You're About to Be Fired
• 6 Tips for Job Seekers Who Have Been Fired

Related Articles:

Is It an Interview or Not? Interview Tips for Either Way

What Kind of Job Candidate Are You?

How to Ace an Interview With a Little Help From a Friend

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How to Cite a Brochure in APA Format: Key Rules to Follow

Updated 18 Jul 2024

Citing sources is a fundamental part of academic writing, including the citation of brochures. This blog post offers a comprehensive guide on correctly citing brochures in APA style, detailing how to format the citation and what information to include in a narrative citation. By the end of this post, you will clearly understand how to cite a brochure in APA format and confidently incorporate these citations into your academic work. Citing a brochure in APA format can be challenging, but mastering this citation style is crucial for ensuring accuracy and credibility in your nursing paper .

How to Cite a Brochure in APA: A Guide for Online Sources

Following these rules will make citing a brochure or pamphlet created in the APA 7 edition easy.

Author.  If an author(usually it’s an organization) is listed, include the author's name in the citation.

Year.  Include the year of publication, often found on the first or last page.

Title.  The title should be in italics, followed by the word [Brochure] in square brackets to indicate the format.

Publisher.  Include the publisher. If the publisher was already listed as an author, omit it.

URL.  Provide the direct URL to the brochure(if available).

Concluding, to cite a brochure accessed online in APA 7th edition, you should follow the following format:

Author, A. A(Organization). (Year). Title of brochure [Brochure]. Publisher. URL

For example, if you accessed an online brochure from the American Cancer Society, the citation would look like this:

American Cancer Society. (2021).  Breast cancer: Early detection  [Brochure]. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/online-documents/en/pdf/early-detection-brochure-a.pdf

In this example, the author is the American Cancer Society, the year of publication is 2021, the title is “Breast Cancer: Early Detection,” the print brochure format is indicated in square brackets, and the URL is the direct link to the brochure PDF.

Providing such examples is crucial as they demonstrate how to format and cite brochures and pamphlets correctly in APA Style.

While we showed how a reference citation looks, the in-text one only includes the author (usually an organization name) and the initial publication year. Example:

(American Cancer Society, 2021)

It's important to note that not all online brochures contain complete information. If any element, such as the author or publisher name, is missing, simply omit that part.

Additionally, verify the accuracy of the in-text citation format with your instructor or editor, as different institutions may have specific guidelines for citation formatting.

A well-structured reference list is essential for organizing your sources and ensuring your citations are complete and accurate.

Conclusion: Mastering APA Style Brochure Citations

Properly citing a brochure in APA format is a vital skill for maintaining the integrity and credibility of your academic work. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in this post, you can confidently incorporate brochure citations into your research papers and assignments. Remember to include essential elements such as the author, year, title, publisher, and URL to ensure accuracy.

While the process might seem daunting at first, practice and attention to detail will make citing brochures second nature. It's also crucial to verify the citation format with your instructor or editor, as institutional guidelines may vary. By mastering these citation techniques, you'll enhance the quality of your academic writing and demonstrate your commitment to rigorous research standards. Citing a brochure in APA format can be complex, so if you’re a first author struggling with this task, you might consider using a service to do my assignment for me cheap to ensure your citations are correctly formatted.

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Written by Elizabeth Miller

Seasoned academic writer, nurturing students' writing skills. Expert in citation and plagiarism. Contributing to EduBirdie since 2019. Aspiring author and dedicated volunteer. You will never have to worry about plagiarism as I write essays 100% from scratch. Vast experience in English, History, Ethics, and more.

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• Setting Up the APA Reference Page | Formatting & References (Examples)

Setting Up the APA Reference Page | Formatting & References (Examples)

Published on November 4, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on January 17, 2024.

On the APA reference page, you list all the sources that you’ve cited in your paper. The list starts on a new page right after the body text.

Follow these instructions to set up your APA reference page:

• Place the section label “References” in bold at the top of the page (centered).
• Order the references alphabetically .
• Double-space all text.
• Apply a hanging indent of 0.5 inches.

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Table of contents

Setting up the apa reference page, apa alphabetization guidelines, which sources to include on the reference page, annotated bibliography, creating apa references.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

References are ordered alphabetically by the first author’s last name. If the author is unknown, order the reference entry by the first meaningful word of the title (ignoring articles: “the”, “a”, or “an”).

Word processors like Word or Google Docs and citation generators can usually order the reference list automatically. However, ordering becomes challenging when citing multiple works by the same author or works by authors with the same last name.

Our in-depth article on ordering references in APA Style explains what to do in these situations.

Only include references for sources cited in the body text (with an APA in-text citation ). Don’t include references for:

• Sources that you only consulted;
• Personal communications (e.g., emails or phone calls);
• General mentions of websites or periodicals ;
• Common knowledge .

For some student papers, it’s common to describe or evaluate the source in an annotation . These annotations are placed on a new line below the corresponding reference entry. The entire annotation is indented 0.5 inches.

If an annotation consists of multiple paragraphs, the first line of the second and any subsequent paragraphs is indented an additional 0.5 inches.

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The format of an APA reference differs depending on the source type. Play around with the options in the Scribbr Example Generator to get familiar with APA Style.

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APA citation examples

Check out Scribbr’s citation examples to learn more about citing each type of source, ranging from books and journals to podcasts and tweets !

Periodicals

• Journal article
• Newspaper article

Reports and gray literature

• Press release
• Dissertation or thesis
• Conference paper

Books and reference works

• Dictionary entry
• Encyclopedia entry

Audiovisual works

• Movie or documentary
• YouTube video

Online media

• Personal communication
• Tables and figures

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Streefkerk, R. (2024, January 17). Setting Up the APA Reference Page | Formatting & References (Examples). Scribbr. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-reference-page/

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The Complete Guide on How to Cite a Lecture Effectively

Learn how to cite a lecture in this guide. Discover the principles of citing lectures and enhance the credibility of your academic work.

Citing a lecture is a crucial aspect when it comes to academic writing. Doing this allows your work to be more credible and knowledgeable. 

When starting your academic writing process, you must know how to cite a lecture. If not, then this article is for you. This article will explore all about citing a lecture in academic writing, its types , and how it’s done. So, relax and read till the end to gain invaluable knowledge. 

How To Cite A Lecture In Academic Writing?                    

Citing a lecture in academic writing involves acknowledging the source of information obtained from a lecture, ensuring your work is credible, and respecting intellectual property. 

Following proper citation guidelines helps avoid plagiarism and demonstrates your attention to detail.

Basic Format: The format for citing a lecture depends on the citation style you are using, such as APA , MLA , or Chicago . Each style has specific rules.

In APA format, include the lecturer’s name, the date of the lecture, the title of the lecture in italics, and the phrase “Lecture notes” or “Lecture” in brackets , followed by the institution name.

Example: Smith, J. (2023, April 5). Understanding Quantum Mechanics [Lecture notes]. University of Science .

Also read: How to Make Citations using APA Formatting: A Guide

In MLA format, include the lecturer’s name, the title of the lecture in quotation marks, the course name, the date, and the institution’s name. 

Example: Smith, John. “Understanding Quantum Mechanics.” Physics 101, 5 Apr. 2023, University of Science.

Following these guidelines ensures your citations are clear and professional. Always double-check the specific requirements of the citation style you are using to ensure accuracy.

Also read: A Writer’s Guide to MLA Format: How to Get It Right

Understanding Citations

Let us now understand why citations are important and why they matter the most in academic writing:

Purpose Of Citing Lectures

Explanation of academic integrity.

Citing lectures is vital for maintaining academic integrity. It involves giving proper credit to the original source of information, which is a fundamental ethical practice in academia. By citing your sources, you avoid plagiarism , demonstrate honesty, and show respect for the intellectual property of others.

Importance For Scholarly Work

Citing lectures and other sources enhances the credibility of your scholarly work. It allows readers to verify your information and follow up on your research . Proper citations also reflect thorough research and a strong foundation in existing knowledge, which strengthens your arguments and findings.

Common Citation Styles

• Used mainly in social sciences.
• Emphasizes the author’s name and publication year.
• Example: (Smith, 2023).
• Common in humanities, especially literature and arts.
• Focuses on the author’s name and page number.
• Example: (Smith 23).

Chicago Style

• Used in history and some social sciences.
• Offers two systems: notes and bibliography (footnotes/endnotes) and author-date.
• Example: (Smith 2023, 23) for author-date.

Related article: Chicago Style Citation Made Easy: Formatting and Examples

Harvard Style

• Similar to APA, used broadly across various disciplines.

Understanding and using these citation styles correctly ensures that your academic writing is clear, professional, and ethically sound.

Preparing To Cite A Lecture

Necessary information.

To cite a lecture accurately, you need to gather the following essential details:

• Speaker: The full name of the lecturer or presenter.
• Title: The title of the lecture. If there is no formal title, describe the topic briefly.
• Date: The date when the lecture was delivered.
• Location: The venue or institution where the lecture took place.

Having these details ensures that your citation is complete and provides enough information for readers to trace the original source.

Tips For Organizing Information For Easier Citation

Take notes during the lecture.

• Jot down the lecturer’s name, the lecture title, the date, and the location as soon as the lecture begins.
• If the lecturer provides handouts or a syllabus, keep these materials for reference.

Use a Citation Tool or Template

• Employ citation management tools like EndNote, Zotero, or online citation generators to help format your citations correctly.
• Create a template or checklist to ensure you collect all necessary information for every lecture you attend.

Organize Your Notes

• Keep a dedicated notebook or digital document for lecture notes, including a section for citation details.
• Regularly update and review your notes to ensure all information is accurate and complete.

By identifying the essential details and organizing your information effectively, you can streamline the process of citing lectures and ensure your academic writing is precise and credible.

Citing a Lecture in APA Format

In-text citations, structure for quoting or paraphrasing.

When quoting or paraphrasing a lecture in APA format , include the lecturer’s last name and the year of the lecture. If quoting directly, also include the specific part of the lecture, such as a timestamp or slide number if available.

Example of an In-Text Citation for a Lecture:

• Paraphrasing : (Smith, 2023)
• Direct Quote: (Smith, 2023, 15:30)

Reference List Entry

Components of a Complete Citation: For the reference list entry, include the following components:

• Lecturer’s Name: Last name, Initial(s).
• Date: The full date of the lecture in parentheses.
• Title of the Lecture: Italicized.
• Description: Use “[Lecture notes]” or “[Lecture]” in brackets.
• Institution Name: The name of the institution where the lecture was given.

Example of a Full Reference List Entry: Smith, J. (2023, April 5). Understanding Quantum Mechanics [Lecture notes]. University of Science.

By following these guidelines, you ensure your APA citations for lectures are accurate and complete, enhancing the reliability of your academic work.

Citing a Lecture in MLA Format

Guidelines for parenthetical references.

In MLA format, in-text citations are brief and placed within parentheses. Include the lecturer’s last name and the specific page number or slide number if available. If no specific number is available, just include the last name.

Example Demonstrating an MLA In-Text Citation:

• Paraphrasing: (Smith)
• Direct Quote: (Smith 23)

Works Cited Entry

Breakdown of a works cited entry for mla.

For a complete Works Cited entry, include the following elements:

• Lecturer’s Name: Last name, First name.
• Title of the Lecture: In quotation marks.
• Course or Event Title: Italicized.
• Date: The full date of the lecture.

A Model Works Cited Entry for a Lecture: Smith, John. “Understanding Quantum Mechanics.” Physics 101 , 5 Apr. 2023, University of Science.

Following these MLA guidelines ensures your citations are clear and properly formatted, contributing to the credibility and academic integrity of your work.

Citing a Lecture in Chicago Style

Footnotes and endnotes, how to format notes for direct quotes and paraphrased material.

In Chicago style , you can use either footnotes or endnotes to cite sources. For lectures, include the lecturer’s full name, the title of the lecture in quotation marks, the event or course name, the date, and the location.

Sample Footnote for Citing a Lecture:

• John Smith, “Understanding Quantum Mechanics,” Physics 101, April 5, 2023, University of Science.

Bibliography Entry

Elements of a chicago style bibliography citation.

For the bibliography , provide the lecturer’s name, the lecture title in quotation marks, the course or event name, the date of the lecture, and the institution where the lecture was given. The elements are similar to those in the footnote but formatted differently.

Example of a Lecture Citation in a Bibliography: Smith, John. “Understanding Quantum Mechanics.” Physics 101, April 5, 2023, University of Science.

Using Chicago style footnotes, endnotes, and bibliography entries correctly ensures your citations are thorough and professional, adding credibility to your academic work.

Citing a Lecture in Harvard Style

Constructing harvard style in-text references.

In Harvard style, in-text citations include the lecturer’s last name and the year of the lecture. If you are quoting directly, include the specific part of the lecture, such as a slide number if available.

In-Text Citation Example for a Quoted or Paraphrased Lecture:

• Paraphrasing: (Smith, 2023)
• Direct Quote: (Smith, 2023, slide 5)

Outline of a Harvard Style Reference List Citation

For the reference list, you need to include the lecturer’s last name and initials, the year of the lecture in parentheses, the title of the lecture in italics, the format in brackets (e.g., [Lecture]), the course name, the date of the lecture, and the institution where the lecture was given.

Complete Reference List Entry for a Lecture Following Harvard Style: Smith, J. (2023). Understanding Quantum Mechanics [Lecture]. Physics 101, 5 April. University of Science.

Using Harvard style citations correctly ensures your academic writing is clear, properly referenced, and respects academic conventions.

Electronic Lectures and Webinars

When citing digital lectures and webinars, it is important to include additional details that are specific to online content. This includes the URL or the platform where the lecture or webinar is hosted, as well as the date of access if the content is subject to change.

Example Citation for an Online Lecture or Webinar:

APA Style: Smith, J. (2023, April 5). Understanding Quantum Mechanics [Webinar]. Retrieved from https://example.com

MLA Style: Smith, John. “Understanding Quantum Mechanics.” Physics 101 , 5 Apr. 2023, University of Science. Webinar. Accessed 5 May 2023. https://example.com

Chicago Style: John Smith, “Understanding Quantum Mechanics,” Physics 101, April 5, 2023, University of Science, Webinar, accessed May 5, 2023, https://example.com

Harvard Style: Smith, J. (2023). Understanding Quantum Mechanics [Webinar]. Physics 101, 5 April. University of Science. Accessed 5 May 2023. Available at: https://example.com

By including the necessary adjustments for online materials, such as the URL and access date, you ensure that your citations are complete and provide clear directions for readers to locate the original digital content.

In conclusion, properly citing lectures is essential for maintaining academic integrity and enhancing the credibility of your work. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property and allows readers to verify the sources of your information. By following the specific guidelines for different citation styles – APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard – you ensure that your citations are accurate and professional.

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About Sowjanya Pedada

Sowjanya is a passionate writer and an avid reader. She holds MBA in Agribusiness Management and now is working as a content writer. She loves to play with words and hopes to make a difference in the world through her writings. Apart from writing, she is interested in reading fiction novels and doing craftwork. She also loves to travel and explore different cuisines and spend time with her family and friends.

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