How to Cite a Book With No Author in MLA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 05/20/2024

When citing a book with no author in MLA format, it is important to follow a structured approach to ensure clarity and consistency.

CITATION ELEMENTS FOR BOOK WITH NO AUTHOR 

• Title (in italics): Italicize the title of the book. Capitalize the major words in the title to distinguish it clearly from other elements of the citation.
• Version (if any): Indicate the edition or version of the book if applicable, such as “2nd ed.” or “rev. ed.” This helps identify the specific iteration of the book you are citing. If there is no version, this element is omitted.
• Publisher: Include the name of the publisher to identify who is responsible for the publication of the book. This provides important context about the source of the material.
• Publication Date: Provide the year the book was published. This information helps readers understand how current the information in the book is and allows them to locate the same edition you used.
• DOI (if available): If the book has a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), include it at the end of the citation. This unique identifier helps readers easily find the digital version of the book. When adding a DOI, replace the period at the end of the publication date with a comma, followed by the DOI.

EXAMPLE CITATION FOR BOOK WITH NO AUTHOR 

EXAMPLE IN-TEXT CITATION FOR BOOK WITH NO AUTHOR 

MLA format also requires in-text citations to point the reader to the full citation in the Works Cited list. These can be either parenthetical or narrative.

Parenthetical Citations: Use an abbreviated form of the title in italics followed by the page number(s).

Narrative Citations: Integrate the full title of the book into the text in italics, followed by the page number(s) in parentheses.

In the Works Cited List: Books with no author are listed by their title. This means that the title of the book takes the place of the author’s name and determines its placement within the list. The entry should be incorporated alphabetically among other works, regardless of whether they have an author or not. Use a Clear, Descriptive Title: When citing a book with no author in MLA format, ensure that the title you provide in the Works Cited entry is clear and descriptive. This helps readers easily identify the source, especially when the title is the primary point of reference. Avoid generic or ambiguous titles that could lead to confusion. Include Additional Identifying Information: Since there is no author’s name to distinguish the source, consider including additional identifying information in the citation, such as the edition or version of the book, if applicable. This can provide context for readers and aid in locating the specific version of the book you used. Verify Accuracy and Consistency: Double-check all details of your citation to ensure accuracy and consistency. Pay attention to punctuation, capitalization, and formatting guidelines provided by MLA. Consistency in formatting helps maintain the professionalism and credibility of your research paper. Additionally, verify that the citation follows the correct alphabetical order within your Works Cited list to facilitate ease of reference for your readers.