How to Cite a Textbook in a Text
When referencing a textbook in the text of a research paper, it is important to briefly cite the source in the text of your paper. This is called an in-text citation or a parenthetical citation. You can either quote a sentence of another publication, a larger section of the textbook or summarize the findings of another research paper. Citations are commonly made in Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA) style, based on the field you are working in. Both styles require in-text citations.
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Instructions
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MLA Style
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Write the information you intend to attribute to a published textbook. You can either include a short, direct quote surrounded by quotation marks, a paragraph or longer direct quote indented to form a block quotation or a brief summary of the researcher's conclusion.
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2
Write a parenthesis and the author's last name after the quotation. If there are multiple authors, list each last name separated by commas.
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3
Write the page number of the book where your quotation appeared, followed by the closing parenthesis and a period. For example, a MPA-style in-text citation would look like this: "(George 145-146)."
APA Style
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4
Write the information you intend to attribute to a published textbook. You can either include a short, direct quote surrounded by quotation marks, a paragraph or longer direct quote indented to form a block quotation or a brief summary of the researcher's conclusion.
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5
Write a parenthesis and the author's last name after the quotation. If there are multiple authors, list each last name separated by commas.
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Write the year the book was published after the author's last name, separated with a comma. End the citation with a closing parenthesis and a period. For example, a MPA-style in-text citation would look like this: "(George, 1996)."
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Tips & Warnings
Textbooks are cited just like any other book.
Plagiarism can result in expulsion from school or losing your job. Proper citation is an important way to prevent plagiarism.
References
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