Citation
Bibliography
A bibliography is a list of all sources cited or consulted during research. It appears at the end of your paper and provides complete publication information.
Types
| Type | Contents |
|---|---|
| Works Cited (MLA) | Only sources directly cited |
| References (APA) | Sources cited in the paper |
| Bibliography | All sources consulted, cited or not |
| Annotated | Includes brief descriptions of each source |
Formatting Rules
- Alphabetize by author's last name
- Use hanging indent (first line flush, subsequent indented)
- Double-space entries
- Follow your citation style consistently
Examples
MLA: Smith, John. "Social Media Impact." Journal of Communication, vol. 15, no. 3, 2020, pp. 42-58.
APA: Smith, J. (2020). Social media impact. Journal of Communication, 15(3), 42-58.
Chicago: Smith, John. "Social Media Impact." Journal of Communication 15, no. 3 (2020): 42-58.
Your bibliography is your essay's paper trail—it shows readers where your evidence comes from.
Quick Tips
- Build your bibliography as you research
- Double-check formatting against official guidelines
- Include all required information (author, title, date, etc.)
- Use citation management tools to stay organized