How to Cite a Book in MLA 9th Edition

This guide explains how to format a book citation in MLA 9th 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 MLA 9th 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

(Sapolsky 203)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your Works Cited:

Works Cited entry

Sapolsky, Robert M. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books, 2017.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author(s)
List the first author as Last Name, First Name. For two authors, add "and First Name Last Name." For three or more, use first author's name followed by "et al."
2
Write the book title
Italicize the title and subtitle. Use title case (capitalize all major words). End with a period.
3
Include the edition
If not the first edition, include the edition before the publisher, abbreviated as "2nd ed.," "3rd ed.," etc.
4
Add the publisher
Write the publisher name, followed by a comma.
5
Add the year
Write the year of publication, followed by a period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not italicizing the book title.
Using sentence case for the title instead of title case.
Including the city of publication (no longer required in MLA 9th).
Forgetting to include the edition for editions after the first.
Not ending the entry with a period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I include the publisher's city in MLA 9th edition?

No. MLA 9th edition does not require the publisher's city. Include only the publisher name.

How do I cite an e-book in MLA?

Cite it the same as a print book, but add the e-book version information if relevant (e.g., "Kindle ed.") and the name of the app or platform as a container if applicable.

How do I cite a book with an editor in MLA?

If you are citing the book as a whole, list the editor(s) followed by "editor" or "editors." Example: Smith, John, editor. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.

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

Identify the author(s)

List the first author as Last Name, First Name. For two authors, add "and First Name Last Name." For three or more, use first author's name followed by "et al."

Write the book title

Italicize the title and subtitle. Use title case (capitalize all major words). End with a period.

Include the edition

If not the first edition, include the edition before the publisher, abbreviated as "2nd ed.," "3rd ed.," etc.

Add the publisher

Write the publisher name, followed by a comma.

Add the year

Write the year of publication, followed by a period.