General Format
The basic format for a book bibliography entry typically follows this structure:
* Author's Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book: Subtitle if applicable.* Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example:
Smith, John. *The History of the United States.* New York: Penguin Books, 2010.
Specific Citation Styles
Here are common citation styles and their specific formats:
* MLA (Modern Language Association)
* Author's Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book: Subtitle if applicable.* Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
* Example:
* Smith, John. *The History of the United States.* New York: Penguin Books, 2010.
* APA (American Psychological Association)
* Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). *Title of Book: Subtitle if applicable.* Place of Publication: Publisher.
* Example:
* Smith, J. (2010). *The History of the United States.* New York: Penguin Books.
* Chicago (Notes & Bibliography)
* Author's Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book: Subtitle if applicable.* Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. [Page numbers if needed for a direct quote]
* Example:
* Smith, John. *The History of the United States.* New York: Penguin Books, 2010.
* Chicago (Author-Date)
* Author's Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book: Subtitle if applicable.* Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
* Example:
* Smith, John. *The History of the United States.* New York: Penguin Books, 2010.
Additional Tips
* Capitalization:
* Title case is generally used for titles. (Capitalize all major words)
* Titles of books, journals, and newspapers should be italicized.
* Edition: If applicable, include the edition after the title. For example: *The History of the United States. 2nd ed.*
* Multiple Authors: If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the book's cover. Separate each author's name with a comma, and use "and" before the last author's name.
* Translator: If the book is a translation, include the translator's name after the title, followed by "Trans."
* Series: If the book is part of a series, include the series name and number after the title.
* Online Sources: If you are citing an online book, include the URL and access date.
Always double-check the specific style guide you are using for precise formatting guidelines. Most style guides have detailed examples and instructions for specific citation scenarios.