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MLA Style, 8th Edition: Multivolume Works

Multivolume Works

Material Type In-text Citation Works Cited
Volumes of a multivolume work

(Damrosch, et al.)

When citing the entire, multivolume work.

(Damrosch, et al, vol. C)

When citing one entire volume, but having used the entire work elsewhere.

(Damrosch, et al., C: 15-54)

When citing a page or page range of a single volume, when having used the entire work elsewhere.

Damrosch, David, et al. The Longman Anthology of World Literature. 2nd ed., Pearson Education, 2009, 6 vols.

If the volumes were published over a period of years, give the inclusive dates.

Give specific references to volume and page numbers in the text.

One volume from a multivolume work

(Damrosch, et al. 47)

The volume number is not needed because only one volume is listed on the Works Cited page.

Damrosch, David, et al. The Longman Anthology of World Literature. 2nd ed., vol. C, Pearson Education, 2009.

Include the volume number and the publication information for the single volume in the reference.

This is for situations in which only one volume was used throughout the entire paper.

A single volume with an individual title

 (Caro 17-31)

Caro, Robert A. Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson III. Knopf, 2002.

If you are using only one volume of a multivolume work and the volume has an individual title, you can cite the book without reference to other volumes.