How do I cite the location of quotation from an electronic book, for example a book downloaded to Kindle?

Text books and journals are becoming available for download to Kindle and similar eReaders. If you are using a quotation from a particular position in an eReader document, how do you cite this as a reference?

Answer

APA does realize this can be a problem. This, from p. 17 of the APA Style Guide to Electronic References, 6th editon.

"Some electronic books lack page numbers (although PDF versions may include them), which creates a problem for citing direct quotations. Although some Kindle books have “location numbers,” which are static, they are useful only to other Kindle users and may even vary from one model to another. When citing a direct quotation in text from an electronic book without page numbers, include as much information as needed for the reader to locate the material. For example, the Silvia reference on p. 16 has numbered chapters and numbered sections within the chapters. A direct quotation might provide chapter number, section heading, and paragraph number within the section:

“It’s reassuring to believe that circumstances are against you and that you would write a lot if only your schedule had a few more big chunks of time to devote to writing” (Silvia, 2007, Chapter 2, Specious Barrier 1 section, para. 2).

Another option is to paraphrase the concept or passage in text, which does not require specific location information (although including it may be helpful for the reader)."


And this from p. 16  on how to create your reference citation - 

Silvia, P. J. (2007). How to write a lot: A practical guide to productive academic writing [Kindle DX version]. Retrieved

     from http://www.amazon.com

  • Last Updated Apr 16, 2020
  • Views 128
  • Answered By Todd White

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