How do I cite an e-book or audiobook using the MLA format?
Answer
To cite an e-book you found in a library database, use the following format for the citation on your Works Cited page:
Last name, First name of author. Title of book. Publisher, publication year. Database company, URL or DOI.
For example:
Semaan, Jessica. Child of the Moon. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2018. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.frederick.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=1987211&site=ehost-live
Note: When using URLs, MLA encourages the use of permalinks (links that do not change and will always lead you back to the source, see above link), but if that is not possible, include the URL you have. MLA permits shortening long URLS, but be sure to keep enough information that someone can trace the information back to its source.
For example: https://archive.org/details/janeeyrebarnesno00char/2o3i4skdfjlkuse can be shortened to archive.org. The https:// is omitted for MLA citations, unless it is for a DOI.
In-text citation: There are no page numbers, so you only cite the author in parentheses.
For example:
Darkness is seen as a symbol of the past (Semaan).
To cite an e-book you found on the web, use this format for your Works Cited page:
Last name, First name of author. Title of book. Publisher, publication year. Name of Website, URL or DOI.
For example:
Lowery, Lois. The Giver. Bantam Books for Young Readers, 1999. Open Library, openlibrary.org/books/OL7829676M/The_Giver.
When citing an audiobook version of a print book, use the following format:
Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Narrated by First and Last Name, audiobook ed., Publishers of audiobook, date of publication.
Example:
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Narrated by Sissy Spacek, audiobook ed., unabridged ed., HarperAudio, 8 July 2014.
In-text citation: The MLA recommends adding a time stamp even if you are paraphrasing (and not directly quoting from) multi-media.
(Last name of author time stamp)
(Lee 05:28-38)
More Resources: