What Is the Proper Way to Make a Bibliography?
A bibliography, also known as a "works cited" list, is a complete description of all the reference sources used in a written paper. These references can be anything from books to websites. It also includes references used in parenthetical citations within the paper. The list begins on a separate piece of paper with the centered titled, "Bibliography" and each reference is listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name. A standard format for bibliographies is set by the Modern Language Association (MLA).
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Instructions
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Books
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List each author alphabetically beginning with the following format for single authors: Author's last name, first name. Authors of books with multiple authors are listed in the order they appear on the book's title page. The first author is listed in reverse order, followed by a comma, 'and' then the second author's name in normal order and ending with a period.
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2
Separate the author name and the title with one space. List the title in italics when using a computer or typewrite and underlined when hand-written, followed by another period.
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3
Separate the title and publication information with one space. List the publication information starting with the place (city) of publication followed by a colon, publisher, followed by a comma, date of publication and ending with a period.
Articles
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4
List magazine author's name the same way as book authors, in reverse order, followed by a period.
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5
Separate the author's name and the article title with one space. List the article in parenthesis and end with a period.
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Separate the title and periodical title with one space. Italicize the periodical title.
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List the date in the following order: day, month, year followed by a colon and the inclusive date.
Websites
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List author's last name, then first name, if available and end with a period.
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9
Separate the author's name with one space and list the title of work in quotation. End it with a period.
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Separate the title with one space and list title of the site, project or database in italics. End it with a period.
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Separate the site's title with one space and list the electronic publication information starting with date of publication, followed by a period; date of access, followed by a period; and full <URL>.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Single author format example:
Lesser, Elizabeth. The New American Spirituality. New York: Random House, 1999.
Multiple authors format example:
Sehlinger, Bob and Kay Showker. The Unofficial Guide to Cruises. New Jersey: Wiley, 2007.
Periodical format example:
Limer, Lisa. "City of God, City of Men." Conde Nast Traveler. February 2010: 68-79.
Website format example:
Aroldi, Susan. "Sixth Grade Bibliography." Science Buddies. 26 November 2005. 31 March 2010. < http://www.hobbyhorsebooks.com/bibliography6.html>
References
Resources
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