How to Quote a Book: 3 Simple Methods with Examples

Ever been knee-deep into online research, only to find exactly what you’re looking for in a book? Yes, the printed kind. 

It might have been a while, but contrary to popular belief, printed books are still thriving.

In fact, they’re more popular than e-books across most of the major markets.

So, while technology has revolutionized how we research and write, books remain an essential part of the process.

Part of that research process is properly crediting and citing a book.

Failing to do so could lead to accidental plagiarism, a type of plagiarism that happens when you don’t properly cite your source or forget to credit the author altogether.

Every academic discipline has its preferred citation style, and each has specific formatting rules.

APA, MLA, Chicago—it’s enough to make your head spin. In this guide, we’ll simplify it for you.

You’ll learn exactly how to quote a book, regardless of the citation style you’re using. 

It’s time to know how to give proper credit and boost the credibility of your work.

Let’s get started.

How to Quote a Book in MLA Format

MLA stands for Modern Language Association. They’re an organization that supports language and literature studies.

The MLA format is widely used in the humanities, especially in English, literature, and cultural studies.

This format is popular for its simplicity and emphasis on authorship.

Unlike other formats, like APA, which prioritizes the date, MLA focuses on the creator of the work.

This makes it ideal for fields that value the textual and creative aspects of writing.

The MLA format provides a uniform style for writing and documenting sources.

Over the years, it has evolved to meet the needs of researchers and students in the humanities.

Its hallmark feature is the “Works Cited” page, which lists all sources referenced in the paper in alphabetical order.

Quoting books in MLA allows you to blend established ideas with your analysis while maintaining credibility.

Let’s walk through the steps on how to do a book citation in MLA format: 

1. Introduce the Quote

Before jumping into a quote, you should set the stage.

Provide some context by explaining the quote’s relevance to your argument.

• Bad introduction: “Smith writes, ‘Education is important.’“
• Good introduction: “Smith highlights the transformative role of education, asserting, ‘Education is important.'”

This step helps your reader see why the quote matters.

Use phrases like “according to” or “as [author] states” to tie the quote into your analysis.

2. Use Quotation Marks

MLA requires double quotation marks around direct quotes, clearly indicating the words aren’t your own.

• Incorrect: All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
• Correct: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

Always be careful with punctuation. Periods and commas typically go inside quotation marks in US English.

And for quotes within quotes, use single quotation marks, like “He said, ‘Education is key.'”

3. Include In-Text Citation

The next step is to include a parenthetical citation immediately after the quote.

This should show where the quote came from, and make sure that you give proper credit.

• “To be or not to be, that is the question” (Shakespeare 45).

Notice that there’s no comma between the author’s name and the page number. Also, the period comes after the citation, not the quote.

Don’t repeat the author’s name if it’s already mentioned in your sentence.

Also, use page numbers whenever possible. If there are none, you can cite by chapter or section.

4. Add to Works Cited

Finally, include the book in your Works Cited list.

This is really helpful for your readers to easily trace your source.

• Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Penguin Classics, 2002.

Use a hanging indent for entries. The first line is flush left, while subsequent lines are indented. Don’t forget to double-check the punctuation and italics to match MLA guidelines.

Knowing how to quote books in MLA format is about clarity and consistency.

When you provide context, use quotation marks, and cite sources properly, you can significantly enhance your argument while respecting intellectual property.

Take your time with these steps, and your work will shine.

How to Quote a Book in APA Format

APA stands for American Psychological Association.

This leading scientific and professional organization created the format widely used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education.

Unlike MLA, APA emphasizes the date of publication, which reflects its focus on the recency of research and developments.

The APA format originated in the 1920s to provide a clear structure for scientific papers.

The goal of using this format is to ensure clarity and conciseness, making it suitable for fields where factual accuracy is critical.

For many, the APA format is considered the gold standard.

Its emphasis on dates reflects the importance of up-to-date research.

Citing a book in APA provides certainty that you’re citing resources and that the information is timely.

Let’s go over the steps on how to quote a book in APA format: 

1. Introduce the Quote

In APA, this is how the introduction is formatted.

• “According to Jones (2020), ‘Collaboration is the key to success.’“

Notice how the introduction includes the author’s name and the publication year, giving readers immediate context.

When possible, briefly explain why the author’s perspective is relevant.

Also, avoid overusing direct quotes. You can paraphrase when a direct quote isn’t necessary.

2. Use Quotation Marks

Just like in MLA, direct quotes must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

For longer quotes (40 words or more), use block formatting.

• Incorrect: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
• Correct: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

For short quotes, the punctuation goes after the citation.

For quotes over 40 words, APA requires a block quote format: no quotation marks, indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, and double-spaced.

3. Include In-Text Citation

APA citations include the author, year, and page number (if available).

• “Imagination is more important than knowledge” (Einstein, 1921, p. 12).

Mention the author’s name in the sentence to reduce repetition.

If you’re citing an e-book without page numbers, use paragraph numbers, like (Author, Year, para. 4). 

4. Add to Reference List

For references, every quote must correspond to an entry in your reference list.

• Einstein, A. (1921). Relativity: The Special and General Theory. Holt.

Use a hanging indent and follow APA’s punctuation rules.

Make sure to check APA’s guidelines for citing specific book formats, like edited volumes or translations.

As you can see, quoting a book in APA format might seem a bit detail-heavy.

That said, it’s a necessary way to ensure that your work meets academic standards. 

How to Quote a Book in Chicago Style

Chicago Style, developed by the University of Chicago Press, is one of the most versatile formats.

It’s used across a wide range of disciplines, from history to business.

Unlike MLA or APA, Chicago offers two systems: notes and bibliography (used in the humanities) and author-date (used in the sciences).

Chicago Style is particularly detailed, so it’s well suited to lengthy, heavily sourced papers like theses and dissertations.

It traces its roots back to The Chicago Manual of Style, first published in 1906, which aimed to standardize publishing practices.

For quoting books, the notes and bibliography system is most common.

Let’s break down how to cite a book in a bibliography. 

1. Introduce the Quote

In Chicago Style, introducing the quote sets the context.

• “As Keegan writes in The Face of Battle, ‘The first object of any commander is to win his battle.’“

Avoid starting a paragraph with a quote.

Lead into it with your own words.

Use the author’s name and book title for clarity.

2. Use Quotation Marks

Direct quotes are enclosed in double quotation marks, just like MLA and APA.

• “Churchill famously declared, ‘We shall never surrender.’“

For longer quotes (five lines or more), use block formatting.

Block quotes in Chicago are single-spaced and indented.

Always include proper punctuation, with periods inside quotation marks.

3. Include Footnotes/Endnotes

Chicago uses footnotes or endnotes for citations. The first citation is full-length, while the subsequent ones are shortened.

• First: 1. John Keegan, The Face of Battle (New York: Viking, 1976), 45.
• Subsequent: 2. Keegan, The Face of Battle, 50.

Remember to always use a consistent numbering system for notes.

For repeated references, you can use “ibid,” a Latin word meaning ‘in the same place,’ if you’re citing the same source as the previous note.

4. Create Bibliography Entry

At the end of your paper, include a bibliography with full source details.

• Keegan, John. The Face of Battle. New York: Viking, 1976.

Alphabetize your bibliography entries. Double-check formatting for italics, commas, and periods.

Citing a book in Chicago Style is all about precision, but by following these steps and practicing, you’ll produce citations that showcase your research and respect scholarly traditions.

How Plagiarism Checkers Can Help with Quoting Books

With so much research to keep track of, you might forget to properly cite a quote or unintentionally use language too similar to the original text.

A plagiarism checker catches these mistakes before they become a problem, helping you maintain academic and professional standards.

That said, regular plagiarism may fall short when trying to detect AI plagiarism.

As useful as AI is for streamlining the research process, it’s not perfect.

Using AI tools to summarize a book and then directly quoting its output can lead to unknowingly plagiarizing it.

Since AI processes and reorganizes existing information, it might replicate text patterns or phrases too closely.

Responsible AI use is important to maintain your credibility.

Always cross-check and attribute any quotes or insights you’ve included.

Be sure to use tools like Undetectable AI’s Plagiarism Checker to verify your work is free from plagiarism.

Undetectable confirms that all your citations are accurate and compliant with academic standards, so you can focus on the quality of your research. 

Before submitting your assignments, run them through our free plagiarism checker.

It acts as a safety net to protect you from accidental AI plagiarism claims, giving you peace of mind that your work is both authentic and professional.

You can also try out our AI Humanizer and Detector in the widget below!

Frequently Asked Questions About Quoting Books

Conclusion

Understanding how to quote a book is an essential skill for academic and professional writing.

Whether you use MLA, APA, or Chicago Style, the key is to be accurate and consistent.

Not only will these techniques elevate your writing, but they’ll also ensure your sources are always properly cited.

As AI continues to enhance how we research, it’s equally essential to use it responsibly.

Undetectable AI can support your authenticity while leveraging the power of technology.

By integrating our AI plagiarism checker into your workflow, you’ll have the confidence to maximize your research capabilities while staying true to your own voice.