How to Cite What Edition a Book Is

Books are still a primary source of scholarly research, so most students cite them frequently. As an additional benefit, their citations follow a relatively simply format. Because books are often updated and republished, however, you should specify which edition of the book you are citing. This helps readers locate your exact references and understand whether your sources are timely and accurate. These rules don't apply to first editions or to books that don't specify their editions, but if a book notes any edition other than the first, then include it in your citation.

Instructions

  1. APA

    • 1

      Insert a set of parentheses in the book's reference list entry, at the end of the title. Place the parentheses after the title's last word but before the period. Although you should italicize the title, format the parentheses and their contents in plain, non-italicized text.

    • 2

      Write in the parentheses the numeral edition of the book. First specify the ordinal number, followed by the appropriate letters. For example, write "2nd," "3rd" or "4th" rather than simply 2, 3 or 4. Do not write the ordinal letters in superscripts; they should appear as normal text in a normal size and on the same line as the number.

    • 3

      Add "ed." after the ordinal number. Write the word -- an abbreviation for "edition" -- in lowercase letters and include the period at the end.

    MLA

    • 4

      Specify the edition in a new sentence in the book's entry in the works cited list, after the title. End the title with a period, unless it already includes a final punctuation mark, then begin a new with the edition's information.

    • 5

      Write the numeral edition of the book, specifying the ordinal number with the appropriate letters. Don't write the letters as superscripts, like with APA style.

    • 6

      Write "ed." Include only one period at the end, indicating both that the word is an abbreviation and that the sentence is ending.

    Chicago

    • 7

      Write the edition after the title -- before the parentheses containing the publication information -- in the source's first footnote in the body of the paper. Add a comma after the title, then write the edition's ordinal number, followed by "ed." -- including the period.

    • 8

      Don't specify the edition in subsequent footnotes; only cite the author's last name and the relevant page number.

    • 9

      Write the edition number in a new sentence after the title in the book's bibliography citation. Write the number in ordinal form and then write the abbreviation "ed."

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