To cite evidence from a chapter, you typically need two main components: an in-text citation where you present the evidence within your writing and a full reference entry in your bibliography or works cited list that provides complete details about the source chapter.
When citing evidence from a chapter, especially when the author of the chapter is different from the editor of the book, it's crucial to provide clear information for your readers to locate the specific source. This involves correctly formatting both the in-text citation and the full reference list entry.
Types of Chapter Citations
There are two primary places you cite information from a chapter:
- In-Text Citation: This is a brief reference within the body of your paper, usually including the chapter author's last name and the page number(s) where the evidence was found.
- Full Reference List Entry: This is a complete citation found at the end of your paper (e.g., in a Works Cited, Bibliography, or References section). It provides all the necessary details for a reader to find the source chapter.
Full Reference List Format
The format for the full reference list entry of a book or e-book chapter where the chapter author differs from the book editor is often structured as follows, based on common citation styles:
Author(s) of Chapter. "Title of Chapter: Subtitle of Chapter." Title of Book, edited by Editor of Book, Publisher, Publication Date, page numbers.
Let's break down this format:
- Author(s) of Chapter: The name(s) of the person or people who wrote the specific chapter you are citing. List the last name first for the first author.
- "Title of Chapter: Subtitle of Chapter.": The full title and any subtitle of the chapter, enclosed in quotation marks.
- Title of Book,: The full title of the larger book containing the chapter, italicized.
- edited by Editor of Book,: The name(s) of the book's editor(s), preceded by "edited by".
- Publisher,: The name of the publishing company.
- Publication Date,: The year the book was published.
- page numbers.: The page range for the entire chapter within the book.
Example of a Full Reference Entry
Using the format above, a citation might look like this:
Smith, Jane. "The History of Quantum Physics." Collected Essays on Modern Science, edited by John Doe, Academic Press, 2022, pp. 45-78.
In-Text Citation
The in-text citation points your reader to the specific location within the source where you found the evidence. While formats vary slightly depending on the style guide (like MLA, APA, Chicago), a common approach for citing a chapter with a distinct author involves using the chapter author's last name and the specific page number(s).
- Basic Format: (Chapter Author's Last Name Page Number)
- Example: (Smith 52)
If you mention the chapter author's name in your sentence, you typically only need the page number in parentheses:
- Example: According to Smith, "..." (52).
Summarizing the Full Citation Format
Here is a table summarizing the components of the full reference list entry format:
| Component | Description | Formatting Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Author(s) of Chapter | Writer(s) of the specific chapter | Smith, Jane. or Smith, Jane, and John Doe. |
| "Title of Chapter..." | Title and subtitle of the chapter | "The History of Quantum Physics." |
| Title of Book | Full title of the larger book | Collected Essays on Modern Science, |
| edited by Editor... | Name(s) of the book's editor(s) | edited by John Doe, |
| Publisher | Name of the publisher | Academic Press, |
| Publication Date | Year the book was published | 2022, |
| page numbers. | Page range of the entire chapter within the book | pp. 45-78. |
Practical Steps for Citing Evidence
- Locate the Evidence: Identify the specific facts, quotes, or ideas you want to use from the chapter.
- Note Page Number(s): Record the exact page number(s) where this evidence appears.
- Create In-Text Citation: Insert the in-text citation (usually Author's Last Name and Page Number) immediately after or within the sentence containing the evidence.
- Gather Source Information: Collect all details needed for the full reference entry: chapter author(s), chapter title, book title, book editor(s), publisher, publication date, and the chapter's page range.
- Format Full Reference Entry: Use the provided format (or the specific style guide requested by your instructor/publisher) to create the full entry in your reference list. Ensure correct punctuation and formatting (like italics and quotation marks).
By following these steps and using the specified format for your full reference entry, you can accurately and effectively cite evidence from a chapter in your work. Always double-check which citation style guide (like MLA, APA, Chicago) you are required to use, as minor variations exist. For example, you can find details on various style guides on resources like the Purdue OWL.
