1. MLA (Modern Language Association):
* Basic Format: Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Year.
* Example: Smith, John. *The History of Cats*. Penguin Books, 2023.
2. APA (American Psychological Association):
* Basic Format: Author, A. A. (Year). *Title of work*. Publisher.
* Example: Smith, J. (2023). *The history of cats*. Penguin Books.
3. Chicago (Notes and Bibliography):
* In-text citation (footnote or endnote): John Smith, *The History of Cats* (Penguin Books, 2023), 25. (This example shows page 25 being cited).
* Bibliography entry: Smith, John. *The History of Cats*. Penguin Books, 2023.
Key things to remember for ALL styles:
* Author: List the author's last name first, followed by their first name (or initials). If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the book's title page. If there's no author, use the title of the book in the author's position.
* Title: Italicize the title of the book.
* Publisher: Include the name of the publishing company.
* Year: Use the year of publication.
* Page Numbers (when needed): When directly quoting or paraphrasing, you MUST include the page number(s). The way you incorporate this into your citation varies by style.
* Edition: If it's not the first edition, include that information (e.g., 2nd ed.).
* Location (sometimes): Some styles require the city and state of publication.
To get the precise formatting for your citation:
1. Check your assignment guidelines: Your professor or instructor will specify which citation style to use.
2. Consult a style guide: Use a style manual (physical or online) for the specific style you need. These guides provide comprehensive rules and examples. Examples include the *MLA Handbook*, the *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association*, and *The Chicago Manual of Style*.
3. Use a citation management tool: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can help you create citations and bibliographies automatically. You just input the book's information, and the tool generates the citation in your chosen style.
Don't hesitate to ask your librarian or professor for help if you are struggling with citations. They're a valuable resource!