Obtain the textbook to be cited in your paper. Note the publisher, location of publication, edition, author(s), editor(s) and its copyright. Some of the information will appear on the book cover or jacket. The remainder can be found in the page directly following the inner title page.
Note the page or pages of the textbook that contain the information used in your paper.
Determine whether you use MLA or APA style guidelines for citations. Generally, MLA (Modern Language Association) guidelines pertain to papers in the humanities, such as art history, literature or film studies. APA (American Psychological Association) guidelines pertain to work in the sciences such as physics or chemistry. Papers in the social sciences such as sociology also use APA guidelines.
Write your in-text citation. In-text citations are brief notations that appear in the body of your paper. The in-text citation depends not only on APA or MLA guidelines, but also on the particulars of the textbook. For instance, a textbook may or may not have an author. Generally, in-text citations use the last name of the author --- or editor if there is no author --- and year of publication. However, consult MLA or APA guidelines for specific formatting requirements.
Write the full citation as a footnote in your paper. As with the in-text citations, the formatting requirements depend upon APA/MLA guidelines and the particulars of the textbook. As a general rule, however, provide as much information as you can. The overall goal of the footnote is to allow the reader to pinpoint the exact location of a source. Therefore, citing whether a textbook is a first or second edition may play a crucial role in enabling a quick fact check.
Write the full citation as a reference in your bibliography. Bibliographies are systematic lists of works cited in your paper. They are found in books and larger academic works so consult with your professor or colleagues whether bibliographic citations are called for. As with footnotes and in-text citations, consult MLA/APA style guidelines for formatting requirements.