How to Cite a Book Chapter in MLA 9th Edition

This guide explains how to format a book chapter 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 chapter in MLA 9th Edition:

Template

Author(s). "Title of Chapter." Title of Book, edited by Editor Name(s), Edition, Publisher, Year, pp. page range.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Garcia 134)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your Works Cited:

Works Cited entry

Garcia, Maria. "Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Anxiety." Handbook of Clinical Psychology, edited by Helen L. Thompson and Robert J. Davis, 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2020, pp. 125--48.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the chapter author(s)
List the chapter author's name in standard MLA format (Last, First).
2
Write the chapter title
Place the chapter title in quotation marks with title case. End with a period inside the closing quotation mark.
3
Add the book title
Italicize the book title. Use title case. Follow with a comma.
4
Include the editor(s)
Write "edited by" followed by the editor(s) names in First Name Last Name order.
5
Add edition, publisher, year, and pages
Include the edition (if applicable), publisher, year, and page range. Use "pp." before the page range.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not placing the chapter title in quotation marks.
Italicizing the chapter title instead of the book title.
Forgetting to include "edited by" before the editor names.
Omitting the page range for the chapter.
Using "Ed." or "Eds." instead of "edited by" (which is the MLA convention).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I use "Ed." or "edited by" in MLA for book chapters?

MLA uses "edited by" (lowercase, spelled out) before the editor name(s), not the abbreviation "Ed." or "Eds." which is used in APA.

How do I format page numbers in MLA?

Use "pp." before the page range. For page ranges over 100, MLA allows truncation of the second number to two digits if the first digit is the same: pp. 112--38 (not 112--138). However, always include all digits for clarity if there is ambiguity.

What if I accessed the chapter online?

If you accessed the chapter through a database or website, include the DOI or database name as the final element of the citation, before the closing period.

Information You Will Need

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

Chapter author(s)
Year of publication
Chapter title
Editor(s)
Book title
Edition (if not the first)
Page range
Publisher
DOI or URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the chapter author(s)

List the chapter author's name in standard MLA format (Last, First).

Write the chapter title

Place the chapter title in quotation marks with title case. End with a period inside the closing quotation mark.

Add the book title

Italicize the book title. Use title case. Follow with a comma.

Include the editor(s)

Write "edited by" followed by the editor(s) names in First Name Last Name order.

Add edition, publisher, year, and pages

Include the edition (if applicable), publisher, year, and page range. Use "pp." before the page range.