How to Cite E-Book in MLA

When citing an e-book it’s essential to follow a straightforward structure to ensure accurate and proper citation in MLA format.

BREAKDOWN OF CITATION ELEMENTS FOR MLA E-BOOK

Here’s a step-by-step guide with the necessary elements:

  • Contributor Types: Contributors can be individual authors or corporate authors/organizations.
  • Title of E-Book: Include the title of the e-book in italics.
  • Version: If applicable, include the version of the e-book, such as “2nd ed.” or “rev. ed.” Indicate the type, such as “E-book ed.” “App/Service ed.” or “Kindle ed.”
  • Publisher: Identify the publisher of the e-book.
  • Publication Date: The publication date of the e-book.

How to Cite E-Book in MLA

E-BOOK WITH ONE AUTHOR

Citation
Silva, Paul. How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing. 4th ed., e-book ed., American Psychological Association, 2007.
Structure
Author Surname, Author First Name(s) &/or Initial(s). Title of Book. Version, Publisher, Publication Date.

E-BOOK WITH TWO AUTHORS

Citation
Garcia, Marie, and Raj Patel. Understanding Global Economies: A Comparative Analysis. E-book ed., Economic Insights Publishers2021.
Structure
Author 1 Surname, Author 1 First Name(s) &/or Initial(s), and Author 2 First Name(s) &/or Initial(s) Author 2 Surname. Title of Book. Version, Publisher, Publication Date.

Include version details: Always include any version details of the e-book, such as “2nd ed.” or “rev. ed.,” after the title and before indicating it’s an e-book. If the e-book is formatted for a specific reader device or service, replace “e-book” with “[App/Service] ed.” This ensures clarity about the specific edition or format you are citing.

Edition number: When an e-book follows an edition number, write “e-book” in lowercase. Example: 6th ed., e-book ed.

Italicize the title and use consistent formatting: Italicize the title of the e-book to distinguish it from the rest of the citation. Additionally, ensure consistency in formatting throughout the citation. For example, if you choose to include version details, use the same format for other elements such as the author’s name, publisher, and publication date. Consistent formatting enhances the professionalism and readability of your citation.

E-BOOK BY A CORPORATE AUTHOR OR ORGANIZATION

Citation
National Board for Educational Excellence. Innovations in Teaching: A Guide for 21st Century Educators. Kindle ed., Academic Press, 2022.
Structure
Corporate Author(s). Title of Book. Version, Publisher, Publication Date.

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Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)

Tomas Elliott is an assistant Professor of English at Northeastern University London. His research specialisms include the history of theatre and film, European modernism, world literature, film adaptation, transmedia studies and citation practices. He read English and French Literature at Trinity College, Oxford, before completing a PhD in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn how to cite in MLA