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

Learn how to cite printed and electronic 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 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.
  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.

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Cite a Book in Other Styles

Book in APABook in MLABook in ChicagoBook in HarvardBook in VancouverBook in IEEEBook in AMABook in TurabianBook in CSEBook in BibTeXBook in NatureBook in ACSBook in OSCOLABook in AGLCBook in ASABook in APSABook in AAABook in NLMBook in ACMBook in APSBook in AIPBook in CellBook in ScienceBook in PLOSBook in BMJBook in LancetBook in JAMABook in Elsevier HarvardBook in Springer

Cite Other Sources in Bluebook

Website in BluebookJournal Article in BluebookYouTube Video in BluebookPodcast in BluebookNewspaper Article in BluebookPDF in BluebookInterview in BluebookSocial Media Post in BluebookGovernment Document in BluebookDissertation or Thesis in BluebookConference Paper in BluebookLecture or PowerPoint in BluebookImage or Photograph in BluebookMovie or Film in BluebookTV Show in BluebookSong or Music in BluebookCourt Case in BluebookPatent in BluebookEncyclopedia Entry in BluebookDictionary Entry in BluebookDataset in BluebookSoftware or App in BluebookPress Release in BluebookReport in Bluebook

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