How to Cite a Book in MLA Style
Gather the names of the author or authors., Write the last name, a comma and the first name., Place a period (full stop) after the author's names., List the full title, including the subtitle., Italicize the title, including the subtitle. , Place a...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Gather the names of the author or authors.
MLA citations list up to 2 authors; however, after the first author you can include a comma and write "et al." -
Step 2: Write the last name
List the original author of the book, not the translator.
The translator can be included after the title, with the prefix "Trans." Translators should be listed with first name followed by last name, and then a period.
Books that are published by an organization, such as "The American Heart Association," should use the organization as the name of the author.
Books with editors should list the editor after the title information.
Use the prefix "Ed." before the first and last name of the editor. , A book without an author will be listed according to the title of the book. , If there is a subtitle, include a colon between the title and subtitle.
Make sure to capitalize all the main words of the title and subtitle.
You need not capitalize infinitives and articles. ,,, If there is more than 1 city of publication, you should only list the first city in the list. ,,,, This should be a 4-digit format, such as "1997."
, For hard copy books, this is "Print." -
Step 3: a comma and the first name.
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Step 4: Place a period (full stop) after the author's names.
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Step 5: List the full title
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Step 6: including the subtitle.
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Step 7: Italicize the title
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Step 8: including the subtitle.
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Step 9: Place a period after the title.
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Step 10: Add the city of publication.
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Step 11: Place a colon after the city.
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Step 12: Include the name of the publisher.
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Step 13: Add a comma after the company name.
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Step 14: List the year of publication.
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Step 15: Place a period after the year.
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Step 16: Finish the entry with the medium of publication.
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Step 17: Include a period at the end of your entry.
Detailed Guide
MLA citations list up to 2 authors; however, after the first author you can include a comma and write "et al."
List the original author of the book, not the translator.
The translator can be included after the title, with the prefix "Trans." Translators should be listed with first name followed by last name, and then a period.
Books that are published by an organization, such as "The American Heart Association," should use the organization as the name of the author.
Books with editors should list the editor after the title information.
Use the prefix "Ed." before the first and last name of the editor. , A book without an author will be listed according to the title of the book. , If there is a subtitle, include a colon between the title and subtitle.
Make sure to capitalize all the main words of the title and subtitle.
You need not capitalize infinitives and articles. ,,, If there is more than 1 city of publication, you should only list the first city in the list. ,,,, This should be a 4-digit format, such as "1997."
, For hard copy books, this is "Print."
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