Creating a Reference List Entry for a Book

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 136 views

Understanding the IIE Harvard Reference List Style

The IIE Harvard reference list style is a widely used citation method in academic writing. It is characterized by the use of author-date citations in the text and a reference list at the end of the document. The reference list includes all the sources cited in the text, formatted in a specific way to provide clear and concise information about each source.

Creating a Reference List Entry for a Book

To create a reference list entry for a book in the IIE Harvard style, you need to provide the following information:

The author(s) of the book
The title of the book
The publication date
The publisher
The edition (if applicable)

The Correct IIE Harvard Reference List Entry for a Book

The correct IIE Harvard reference list entry for a book called "Successful Events in South Africa," written by Jared Smith, Lauren Ramsay, and Peter John Kane, and published by Van, would be:

Smith, J., Ramsay, L., & Kane, P. J. (Year of publication). Successful Events in South Africa. Van.

Example of a Complete Reference List Entry

Let's assume the book was published in 2020. The complete reference list entry would be:

Smith, J., Ramsay, L., & Kane, P. J. (2020). Successful Events in South Africa. Van.

Understanding the Components of the Reference List Entry

Author(s): The author(s) of the book are listed in the order they appear on the title page. In this case, the authors are Jared Smith, Lauren Ramsay, and Peter John Kane.
Title of the book: The title of the book is in italics, as indicated by the underscore marks surrounding the title.
Publication date: The publication date is listed in parentheses, followed by the year of publication.
Publisher: The publisher is listed after the publication date.

Tips for Creating a Correct Reference List Entry

Make sure to include all the required information, including the author(s), title, publication date, and publisher.
Use the correct formatting for the title of the book, which is in italics.
Use the correct punctuation and capitalization for the author(s) and publisher.
Check the reference list entry against the original source to ensure accuracy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to include all the required information, such as the author(s) or publication date.
Using the wrong formatting for the title of the book.
Using the wrong punctuation or capitalization for the author(s) and publisher.
Not checking the reference list entry against the original source.

Conclusion

Q: What is the IIE Harvard reference list style?

A: The IIE Harvard reference list style is a widely used citation method in academic writing. It is characterized by the use of author-date citations in the text and a reference list at the end of the document.

Q: What information do I need to include in a reference list entry for a book?

A: To create a reference list entry for a book in the IIE Harvard style, you need to provide the following information:

The author(s) of the book
The title of the book
The publication date
The publisher
The edition (if applicable)

Q: How do I format the title of the book in the reference list entry?

A: The title of the book should be in italics, as indicated by the underscore marks surrounding the title.

Q: What is the correct way to list multiple authors in a reference list entry?

A: If a book has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the title page, separated by commas. If there are three or more authors, list the first author's name followed by "et al." (meaning "and others").

Q: How do I handle different editions of a book in the reference list entry?

A: If a book has multiple editions, include the edition number in the reference list entry, separated by a comma.

Q: What is the correct way to list the publisher in the reference list entry?

A: The publisher should be listed after the publication date, and should include the city and state or country of publication.

Q: Can I use a shortened version of the title in the reference list entry?

A: No, the title of the book should be in its entirety in the reference list entry.

Q: How do I handle books with no author listed?

A: If a book has no author listed, use the title of the book as the author in the reference list entry.

Q: Can I use a different citation style for a book that has been translated?

A: Yes, you can use a different citation style for a book that has been translated. However, you should still include the original publication date and author(s) in the reference list entry.

Q: How do I handle books with multiple volumes?

A: If a book has multiple volumes, include the volume number in the reference list entry, separated by a comma.

Q: Can I use a different citation style for a book that is an edited collection?

A: Yes, you can use a different citation style for a book that is an edited collection. However, you should still include the editor(s) and publication date in the reference list entry.

Q: How do I handle books with no publication date listed?

A: If a book has no publication date listed, use the date of publication or the date of copyright in the reference list entry.

Q: Can I use a different citation style for a book that is a reprint?

A: Yes, you can use a different citation style for a book that is a reprint. However, you should still include the original publication date and author(s) in the reference list entry.

Conclusion

The IIE Harvard reference list style is a widely used citation method in academic writing. By understanding the correct way to format reference list entries for books, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Remember to always check your reference list entries against the original sources to ensure accuracy.