Bibliography
Definition:
A bibliography is a comprehensive list of all the sources you have consulted or read while researching and writing your paper, regardless of whether you have directly cited them in the text.
Characteristics:
- Scope: Includes all sources consulted, not just those cited in the paper.
- Format: Typically includes books, articles, websites, and other materials, listed alphabetically by the author’s last name.
- Purpose: Demonstrates the breadth of research and provides additional reading material for interested readers.
Example:
Bibliography
Baker, Paul. *The Language of Feminism: An Introduction*. Routledge, 2010.
Doe, John. *Understanding Media*. Media Press, 2015.
Smith, Jane. *Digital Culture and Society*. Sage Publications, 2017.Works Cited
Definition:
A works cited page lists only the sources that you have directly cited or quoted in your paper. This term is commonly used in MLA (Modern Language Association) style.
Characteristics:
- Scope: Only includes sources that are actually cited in the text of the paper.
- Format: Entries are formatted according to the specific citation style (e.g., MLA) and are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name.
- Purpose: Provides readers with the exact sources referenced, allowing them to locate the original materials.
Example (MLA Style):
Works Cited
Baker, Paul. *The Language of Feminism: An Introduction*. Routledge, 2010.
Smith, Jane. *Digital Culture and Society*. Sage Publications, 2017.References
Definition:
References, similar to works cited, list all the sources that you have directly cited in your paper. This term is commonly used in APA (American Psychological Association) and some other citation styles.
Characteristics:
- Scope: Only includes sources that are directly cited in the paper.
- Format: Entries are formatted according to the specific citation style (e.g., APA) and are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name.
- Purpose: Provides readers with the sources you referenced, ensuring transparency and allowing readers to verify and further explore the sources.
Example (APA Style):
References
Baker, P. (2010). *The Language of Feminism: An Introduction*. Routledge.
Smith, J. (2017). *Digital Culture and Society*. Sage Publications.Key Differences
- Content:
- Bibliography: Includes all sources consulted, whether cited or not.
- Works Cited: Includes only the sources that are cited in the paper (commonly used in MLA).
- References: Includes only the sources that are cited in the paper (commonly used in APA).
- Purpose:
- Bibliography: Shows the breadth of research and provides additional reading.
- Works Cited/References: Ensures transparency and allows readers to locate and verify sources.
- Usage:
- Bibliography: Often used in more comprehensive or scholarly works, theses, or dissertations.
- Works Cited: Typically used in humanities papers that follow MLA style.
- References: Commonly used in social sciences, sciences, and other disciplines following APA style.