How to Cite a Book Chapter in Bluebook (21st edition)

Learn how to cite chapters and essays in edited books in Bluebook format (21st edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

Bluebook Bibliography Format

Here is the standard Bluebook format for citing a book chapter in your bibliography:

Follow the standard Bluebook template for this source type.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your book chapter.
2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Bluebook (21st edition) template shown above.
3. Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
4. Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
5. Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Bluebook requirements.

Cite a Book Chapter in Other Styles

Cite Other Sources in Bluebook

More Resources

• Free Citation Generator (10,832 styles)
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• Cheat Sheets (APA, MLA, Chicago)