How Should You Cite Revisors in a Revised Book Edition?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how to properly cite a revised edition of a book, specifically addressing whether to include revisors in the citation when the original author did not contribute to the new edition. The scope includes citation formats and standards, with references to specific styles like MLA and APA.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that revisors should not be listed unless they are credited as authors on the cover, and emphasizes the importance of including the edition number in the citation.
  • Another participant, identifying as an English Major, argues that revisors should be cited as editors, especially since the original author did not contribute to the revised edition, providing a specific citation format in MLA style.
  • There is a mention of using standard citation styles such as MLA or APA, with a suggestion to consult handbooks or online resources for guidance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether revisors should be included in citations, indicating a lack of consensus on the proper approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different citation styles and the importance of checking the book's inside cover or title page for additional author information, highlighting potential variability in citation practices.

matthyaouw
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I'm having trouble writing out a reference for a book. My normal format is:
Author (year of publication) Title publisher, place of publication
eg: Trueman, A.E. (1949) Geology and scenery in England and Wales. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth

This book is a revised edition, revised without help of the original author, so should I include the people who revised it as authors, write "revised by..." after the author/title, not write their names at all, or something else?
 
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I don't THINK that you will list the revisers (otherwise usually the subsequent editions DO have added authors on the cover) although you should likely use the edition number of the book in your citation. Most of the information you should use for citing is on the inside cover of the work or on the back of the title page, so if the additional authors are there, use them. :biggrin:

You should also try to use a standard style, eg. MLA, APA, etc. Handbooks can be found for that kind of thing, and possibly this can be found online. I kept my free handout from high school, believe it or not.
 
Thanks very much! :smile:
 
Well, as an English Major, we usually require that you do cite your revisors. I would put them down as Editors. This is true especially since the author had nothing to do with the new edition.

Last, First(author). Book Title. Ed. First Last(Editor). Edition ed. Volume. Vol. City Published: Publisher, Year.

That is how it should look in Stanard MLA
 

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