Created by Melissa Zonin, 2012
Works Cited - it's not a Bibliography!
So what IS the difference between a works cited and a bibliography? A bibliography would list any source that you used in doing the research and legwork before sitting down to compose your paper. A works cited lists the full sources for any works you have quoted or paraphrsed IN your paper. Hence the name, they are works that are (parenthetically) cited. Every single parenthetical citation that you used in the outline and in the paper needs to have a full source listed on the works cited page. Your instructor will know which citation belongs to which source based on the beginning information in the entry. Most times, it will be the author's name. When an author isn't given, it will be an abbreviated title or source.
The Basics in Getting it all Arranged
Using Word:
- In the upper right header, type your last name.
- Set the page for double spacing.
- On the first line, centered, type the words “Works Cited” (no bold, no underline, no font changes at all)
- Hit enter once, adjust the cursor so it is aligned left (like normal).
- Go to Page Layout – Paragraph – Indentation – Special – Hanging . Click Ok. (This will set it up so only the first line is on the left margin as seen below.)
- Type or copy and paste each citation so that it is in alphabetical order by the first word.
- Make sure all punctuation and spelling is correct. There should be a period at the end of each citation.
- Websites should not be underlined (remove hyperlinks and any weird icons).