How to Cite a Book Chapter in OSCOLA (4th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a book chapter citation in OSCOLA (4th 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 OSCOLA (4th Edition):

Template

Author, 'Chapter Title' in Editor (ed), Book Title (Publisher Year) Page

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

See footnote 3 (superscript in text).

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Sandra Fredman, 'The Age of Equality' in Sandra Fredman and Sarah Spencer (eds), Age as an Equality Issue (Hart 2003) 21

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the chapter author
Write the full name of the chapter author (first name then surname).
2
Write the chapter title
Place the chapter title in single quotation marks. Do not italicise.
3
Add 'in' and editor(s)
Write 'in' followed by the editor name(s). Use '(ed)' for one editor and '(eds)' for multiple, placed in parentheses immediately after the name(s).
4
Write the book title
Italicise the book title.
5
Add publisher details and pages
In parentheses, add the edition (if not first), publisher, and year. Then write the chapter's starting page, followed by a comma and the specific page.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Writing 'eds.' with a full stop (OSCOLA uses 'eds' without).
Using 'Ed.' with a capital E.
Not placing the chapter title in single quotation marks.
Omitting 'in' before the editor's name.
Forgetting both the starting page and the pinpoint page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does OSCOLA format editor abbreviations?

OSCOLA uses '(ed)' (singular) and '(eds)' (plural) without full stops. These appear in parentheses immediately after the editor name(s).

Do I need to include both the starting page and a pinpoint for OSCOLA chapters?

Yes. The starting page indicates where the chapter begins; the pinpoint directs readers to the specific passage. Write them separated by a comma after the publishing parenthetical.

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

Write the chapter author

Write the full name of the chapter author (first name then surname).

Write the chapter title

Place the chapter title in single quotation marks. Do not italicise.

Add 'in' and editor(s)

Write 'in' followed by the editor name(s). Use '(ed)' for one editor and '(eds)' for multiple, placed in parentheses immediately after the name(s).

Write the book title

Italicise the book title.

Add publisher details and pages

In parentheses, add the edition (if not first), publisher, and year. Then write the chapter's starting page, followed by a comma and the specific page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does OSCOLA format editor abbreviations?

OSCOLA uses '(ed)' (singular) and '(eds)' (plural) without full stops. These appear in parentheses immediately after the editor name(s).

Do I need to include both the starting page and a pinpoint for OSCOLA chapters?

Yes. The starting page indicates where the chapter begins; the pinpoint directs readers to the specific passage. Write them separated by a comma after the publishing parenthetical.