How to Cite a Textbook

To make your research paper or essay legitimate, the resources used to write the paper need to be cited. Without the citation of the resources used, the paper may be considered inaccurate or unbelievable and may not carry the same weight. There are different types of citation which are used. The two most commonly and preferably used methods of citation are Modern Language Association (MLA) citation format or American Psychological Association (APA) citation style. Most of the educational institutions prefer and use the Modern Language Association format. The basic difference in both these citation style is that the MLA style requires a 'works cited' page and APA style demands 'referenced' pages. Now let's see how to cite a textbook.

How To Cite A Textbook In MLA Style

The first important step before you read further on how to cite a textbook in your research paper or essay is to find the format which is the prescribed format. We will first see how to cite a textbook in a paper.

How to Cite a Textbook in a Paper
If the textbook you have used was written by one author, start with listing the name of the author in last name, first name format. After the name of the author cite title of the textbook used and underline it. Then comes the place of publication, which is followed by a colon (:). After the publication name, comes the publisher's company name. Then comes a comma. After the comma, cite the publication date given on the textbook. You will have to make sure there are correct indentations at every line break in the textbook citation, else it may become difficult for the reader to understand the citation.

Let's take an example to understand, this better:
Satalkar, Bhakti, How to Cite a Textbook, Pune: XYZ Publisher, 06 Oct 2009.

How to Cite a Textbook with Multiple Authors
If the textbook you have used has multiple authors, list the first author using the last name, first name format. All the subsequent authors should be listed using the first name last name format. In case the textbook has more than three authors, you should list the name of the first author and then follow it up with 'et al'. According to Purdue University, you may also choose to list names of all the authors in the order, where the names appear on the title page of the textbook. After you have written the names of the authors, place one period. The period is an indicator, that the names of the author are over. Then like in the above case, cite the title of the textbook and underline the title. Then follow the title by the place of publication and a colon. After the place of publication comes the publisher's name but preceded by a comma. Then give the date of publication of the textbook. Make sure, you use the correct indentations, when you are giving any citation.

Here is an example, if there are two authors:
Satalkar, Bhakti, Antje Krull, How to Cite a Textbook, Pune: XYZ Publisher, 06 Oct 2009.

If there are more than three authors:
Satalkar, Bhakti, et al, How to Cite a Textbook, Pune: XYZ Publisher, 06 Oct 2009.

How to Cite a Textbook in APA Style

The difference in citing using MLA and APA style is that in the APA style citation, the title of the book is not underlined, like the MLA format. The other difference in both these styles is, that MLA style uses 'works cited' page, whereas APA style uses 'referenced pages'. The last difference is that the year of publication follows the name of the author in APA style, while in MLA style the publication date is at the end.

Now let's see how to reference a textbook which you have used while writing a research paper, using the APA style. The first line should be flushed in the APA style and the secondary and tertiary lines are always indented. In the APA style give the name of the author in last name, first name format and place a period after the name. After the author's name comes the year of publication, in first brackets. For example, (2010). The year will also be followed by a period. After the year comes the title of the textbook. Again a period and followed by the place of publication. Give a colon after the place of publication and then follow it up with the publisher. If you want to cite a textbook with multiple authors, the format remains the same as mentioned in how to cite a textbook with multiple authors, but you will not underline the title of the textbook.

Here is an example:
Satalkar, Bhakti. (2009). How to Cite a Textbook. Pune: XYZ Publisher.

In case you are citing a book which has multiple editions, you will also have to mention the edition of the textbook which you have referred to. The edition will be mentioned after the title of textbook. Remember in either of the cases, the edition will not be underlined. There is a possibility that the book does have not an author but has an editor or editors. In such a case, you will have to include the name of the editor or editors. After the names, you will have to mention 'ed' or 'eds'.

Using the right research paper format is also necessary. It will lend more authenticity to the research paper. I hope the tips given on how to cite a textbook are useful to you and you will never be stuck on how to reference a textbook whenever you writing a research paper or an essay or your doctoral thesis.