The focus of this article of a three part series is the effects of preparation and composition on the shear rheology of cellulose in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl). Included are the effects of three different degrees of polymerization, (i.e., average molecular weight), manual versus high shear mixing, a range of cellulose concentrations, and the effects of controlled amounts of lignin and a hemicellulose. The rheology implies that a gel phase develops at higher degrees of polymerization, higher concentration, and at lower temperatures. The first article focused primarily on shear rheology of cellulose in [Bmim]Cl with a high shear preparation technique, one degree of polymerization, a narrow range of cellulose concentrations, and temperature. The third article focuses on elongational rheology of cellulose in [Bmim]Cl. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 1019-1027, 2009