How to Cite a Book in AMA 11th Edition

This guide explains how to format a book citation in AMA 11th Edition. Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a book in AMA 11th Edition:

Template

Author(s). Title of Book. Edition. Publisher; Year.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

superscript 1

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Sapolsky RM. *Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst*. Penguin Books; 2017.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
List the author(s)
Write each author's surname followed by initials (no full stops). Separate multiple authors with commas. For edited books, use 'ed' or 'eds' after the name(s).
2
Write the book title
Italicise the title. Use title case. Include the subtitle after a colon.
3
Include the edition
If not the first edition, add the edition number (e.g., '3rd ed.') after the title.
4
Add the publisher and year
Write the publisher name, a semicolon, and the year. End with a full stop.
5
Add DOI or URL if applicable
If the book has a DOI or was accessed online, include it at the end. Do not add a full stop after a DOI or URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Including the place of publication (AMA 11th edition no longer requires it).
Not italicising the book title.
Using full stops after author initials.
Forgetting the semicolon between the publisher and year.
Omitting the edition number for editions after the first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AMA 11th edition require the publisher's location?

No. AMA 11th edition removed the requirement for the publisher's location. Only the publisher name is needed.

How do I cite an edited book in AMA?

List the editor(s) followed by 'ed' or 'eds' (no full stop after the abbreviation in AMA). Example: Williams RT, ed. Title of Book. Publisher; Year.

Do I use a semicolon or comma before the year?

AMA uses a semicolon between the publisher and year: Publisher; Year. This differs from styles that use a comma.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your book:

Author(s) or Editor(s)
Year of publication
Title
Edition (if not the first)
Publisher
DOI or URL (if electronic)

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Step-by-Step Guide

List the author(s)

Write each author's surname followed by initials (no full stops). Separate multiple authors with commas. For edited books, use 'ed' or 'eds' after the name(s).

Write the book title

Italicise the title. Use title case. Include the subtitle after a colon.

Include the edition

If not the first edition, add the edition number (e.g., '3rd ed.') after the title.

Add the publisher and year

Write the publisher name, a semicolon, and the year. End with a full stop.

Add DOI or URL if applicable

If the book has a DOI or was accessed online, include it at the end. Do not add a full stop after a DOI or URL.