How to Cite a Textbook in MLA
To cite a textbook in MLA, list the author and page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence where you introduced the information. Alternatively, introduce the author in the sentence and note the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example, you could write, “According to Smith, that is correct (12).” If there are several authors, list the first author followed by the words “et al.”
Name the author or authors in the sentence. One way to cite a quotation, paraphrase, or other borrowed information in text is to introduce the author in the sentence. If the textbook was written by more than one author, list all the names. Only use the last name, unless there are two authors with the same last name. In that instance, include the first initial, as well. For example: According to Smith, that information is incorrect (12). Johnson and Smith believe otherwise (74). T. Doe and J. Doe explain things a different way (249). List the author or authors in parentheses after the sentence as an alternative. If you do not introduce the author or authors in the sentence, you must include the last name or names in the parentheses. For instance, you could write: Studies suggest otherwise (Smith). Some scholars suggest other alternatives (Johnson and Smith). Matters can also be explained in another way (T. Doe and J. Doe). Include the page number in parentheses. Regardless of where you specify the author or authors, the page numbers from which the information came should be specified in parentheses after the information. If including the author's name in parentheses, do not separate the name and page number with any punctuation. Here's an example in which the author is named in the sentence, so just the page numbers are in parentheses: Erikson believes these rumors to be true (89-92). In this example, the authors are not named in the sentence, so they are listed in parentheses: Some scholars doubt these rumors (Keller and Orion 110). Write the author's last name and first name. Include both the full last name and full first name in LastName, FirstName format. Always end the list with a period. For instance, if there is a single author, write "Doe, John." For multiple authors, separate the names with a comma, using the word "and" before the final author. Include subsequent author names in FirstName LastName format, such as "Smith, Robert, and Inga Johnson." For three or more authors, follow the first name with "et al.," meaning "and others" in Latin. For example, "Walters, Emma et al." Indicate the name of the textbook. Italicize the title and follow it with a period. Capitalize the first letter of each major word (that is, anything that isn't an article, conjunction, preposition, or "to"). Doe, John. Perspectives on Leadership Communication. Smith, Robert, and Inga Johnson. Science Factbook. Indicate the edition number, if applicable. If this book is a second or later edition, specify that information by including the number followed by the abbreviation “ed.” If it is the first edition, leave this blank. Doe, John. Perspectives on Leadership Communication. 2nd ed. Smith, Robert, and Inga Johnson. Science Factbook. Note the publisher and year of publication. In most cases, you only need to list the publisher and the year, separated by a comma. Put a period at the end of the publication information. Here's an example: Doe, John. Perspectives on Leadership Communication. 2nd ed. Big Time Publisher, 2010. List the author or authors. Type out the author or authors as you would for an unedited textbook. The name of the first author is written in LastName, FirstName format. All following names are written in FirstName LastName format. Follow with a period. For instance: Erikson, Leonard. Gill, Rachel and Susan Sanders. Write the textbook title. The title should be italicized and followed with a period. Each major word (that is, anything that isn't an article, conjunction, preposition, or "to") should be capitalized. Here's an example: Gill, Rachel and Susan Sanders. Textbook of European History. Include the editor's name. Introduce the editor with the abbreviation "Ed." and write the name in FirstName LastName format. Finish with a period. The entry should look like: Gill, Rachel and Susan Sanders. Textbook of European History. Ed. Kevin Jackson. Specify the publishing information. This includes the publisher and year of publication, separated with a comma. Follow with a period. For example: Gill, Rachel and Susan Sanders. Textbook of European History. Ed. Kevin Jackson. European Press, 2002. Introduce the editor or editors. Oftentimes, a textbook might be an anthology or collection of work from many authors. In these instances, the editor or editor is given the lead spot in the citation. List the first editor in LastName, FirstName format and any additional editors in FirstName LastName format. Follow one name with the abbreviation "ed." and multiple names with "eds." End with a period. Doe, John, ed. Rowell, Alex, and Will Hoffman, eds. Type the title of the textbook. Capitalize the first letter of each major word (that is, anything that isn't an article, conjunction, preposition, or "to") and italicize the entire title. Follow with a period. Rowell, Alex, and Will Hoffman, eds. Literary Criticism. Include the publishing information. Indicate the name of the publisher and the year the textbook was published, separated by a comma. Finish with a period. Rowell, Alex, and Will Hoffman, eds. Literary Criticism. Big Time Publisher, 2006. Write out the author, title, editor, and edition. The basic format for digital books is the same as the format for print books. Write the name of the author in LastName, FirstName format, with additional authors in FirstName LastName format. Italicize the title and specify any editor or multiple edition numbers. Format the entry as follows: Doe, John and Bob Smith. The Interesting Textbook. Ed. Richard Hoffman, 3rd ed., Include the publishing information and database where you found the book. Next, list the publisher and year of publication. Then, in italics, note the name of the website, provider, or database hosting the book. Doe, John and Bob Smith. The Interesting Textbook. Ed. Richard Hoffman, 3rd ed., Big Time Publishing House, 2010. EBSCOhost. Specify the URL, if applicable or desired. This only applies if the textbook has a fixed URL and does not apply to e-books that are borrowed from the library or purchase. The URL is not always necessary to include and is formally a matter of instructor preference. Doe, John and Bob Smith. The Interesting Textbook. Ed. Richard Hoffman, 3rd ed., Big Time Publishing House, 2010. EBSCOhost. <http://www.sampleURL.com>. 
Name the author or authors in the sentence. List the author or authors in parentheses after the sentence as an alternative. Include the page number in parentheses. Write the author's last name and first name. Indicate the name of the textbook. Indicate the edition number, if applicable. Note the publisher and year of publication. List the author or authors. Write the textbook title. Include the editor's name. Specify the publishing information. Introduce the editor or editors. Type the title of the textbook. Include the publishing information. Write out the author, title, editor, and edition. Include the publishing information and database where you found the book. Specify the URL, if applicable or desired. 