Books and Chapters
Books, edited collections, chapters, editions and translations under Chapter 6.
AGLC4 Chapter 6 covers how to cite books and materials published within books, including single-author books, edited collections, chapters in edited books, translated works, revised editions and multi-volume works.
The citation format depends on whether you are citing the book as a whole or a specific chapter within a book.
Books
A book citation includes:
- the author’s name;
- the title of the book;
- the publisher;
- the edition (if not the first edition);
- the year; and
- a pinpoint reference (if required).
The pinpoint directs the reader to the specific page or part of the book being relied on.
Author, Title of Book (Publisher, edition, year) pinpoint.
Bibliography format
The bibliography entry is similar to the footnote, but the first author’s name is inverted and the pinpoint is removed.
Book titles and author names
When citing books:
- author names appear as they do in the publication;
- initials have no spaces or full stops;
- significant words in titles are capitalised;
- book titles are italicised.
Editions
The edition number is included in the publication details. A first edition does not include an edition number.
Other edition types are also included where relevant, such as a revised edition.
Pinpoints for books
Pinpoints usually refer to pages, chapters or paragraphs.
Include a pinpoint whenever you rely on a specific part of the book.
Electronic books
If an ebook is also available in print, cite it as a print book. Do not include a URL or a date of access.
If the ebook has no print equivalent, it is treated as an internet source and follows the relevant AGLC rules for online materials.
Chapters in edited books
A chapter written by one author within an edited collection is cited differently from a whole book. The citation includes:
- the chapter author;
- the chapter title;
- the word in;
- the editor(s);
- the book title;
- publication details;
- the first page of the chapter; and
- the pinpoint page.
The first page (88) identifies where the chapter begins. The pinpoint (94) identifies the page being relied on.
Author, ‘Title of Chapter’ in Editor (ed), Title of Book (Publisher, edition, year) first page of chapter, pinpoint.
Editors and translators
Edited books
Where a book has editors rather than authors, place the editors in the author position. Use (ed) for one editor and (eds) for multiple editors.
Books with both authors and editors
Where a book has both an author and an editor, the author appears first. The editor is included in the publication details according to AGLC4 rule 6.6.2.
Translated books
Translated works should identify the original work according to AGLC4 rule 6.7.
Other book formats
AGLC4 also provides rules for less common types of books.
- Multi-volume works: include the volume number where relevant.
- Forthcoming books: books that have not yet been published follow the special rules in rule 6.8.
- Audiobooks: audiobooks have their own citation format under rule 6.9.
The publisher is normally included. However, AGLC4 allows the publisher to be omitted in limited circumstances, such as some works published before 1900.
Quick identification guide
| What are you citing? | Use |
|---|---|
| Entire book | Book citation |
| Chapter written by one author in an edited collection | Chapter citation |
| Book written by editors | Editors in author position |
| Translated work | Include translation details |
| Revised edition | Include rev ed |
| Multi-volume work | Include volume number |
Last reviewed 4 August 2026