When citing a book without chapter divisions, how should it be handled?

When citing a book lacking formal chapter divisions, reference the entire work using its page numbers for specific quotations or paraphrases. This approach is standard and feasible across major citation styles. The key principle involves treating the book as a single, undivided entity. The citation must always include the author(s), the full book title, publication details (publisher, year), and crucially, the specific page number(s) for the material being cited. This method is necessary for pinpointing the exact source location and applies universally to non-chapterized books, including novels, certain monographs, or older texts. A notable exception occurs with texts utilizing standardized numbering systems like verse or line numbers (e.g., classical works, religious scriptures), where those identifiers, not page numbers, are preferred if applicable. To implement this, construct the reference list entry as a standard book citation. Within the in-text citation, append the relevant page number(s) to the author and year. For example: (Doe, 2020, p. 45) or ...(Doe, 2020, pp. 45-46). Consistency in applying page numbers ensures accurate sourcing and reader access, aligning with practices in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.