General Format
The basic format for a reference is typically:
* Author's last name, first initial. (Year of publication). *Title of book* (Edition, if not the first). City of publication: Publisher.
Important Considerations
* Language: Always note the language of the book (e.g., "French", "Spanish", "German").
* Title Translation: If the book is in a language you don't read, you'll likely need to use a translated title.
* If the book is translated into English, include the English title in parentheses after the original language title.
* If the book is not translated, use the original title and add a translation in brackets after it.
* Capitalization: Title capitalization rules vary by language. Be consistent with the original title.
* Punctuation: Punctuation styles can differ, so use the conventions of the source language.
* Citation Style: Follow the specific citation style your referencing guide dictates (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago).
Examples
English (MLA format):
* Author's last name, first initial. (Year of publication). *Title of book*. City of publication: Publisher.
Example:
* Smith, J. (2023). *The History of Art*. New York: Penguin.
French (MLA format):
* Author's last name, first initial. (Year of publication). *Title of book* (Édition, si ce n'est pas la première). Ville de publication: Éditeur. [French language]
Example:
* Dufresne, A. (2021). *L'art de la cuisine française* (2e édition). Paris: Flammarion. [French]
Spanish (APA format):
* Author's last name, first initial. (Year of publication). *Title of book* (Edition, if not the first). City of publication: Publisher. [Spanish language]
Example:
* García, M. (2020). *Historia de la música española* (3ª edición). Madrid: Espasa. [Spanish]
German (Chicago format):
* Author's last name, first initial. (Year of publication). *Title of book*. City of publication: Publisher. [German language]
Example:
* Müller, K. (2022). *Die Geschichte der Literatur*. Berlin: Reclam. [German]
Tips for Finding Information
* Online Databases: Use citation databases like WorldCat or Library of Congress to find bibliographic information.
* Book Cover: The cover often lists publication details.
* Search Engine: Use a search engine with the book's title and author, and look for online booksellers' pages.
Let me know if you have a specific book in mind, and I can provide a tailored example!