Bibliography page layout

How To Write a Bibliography (Plus Printable Guide With Examples)

Writing a research catch involves a lot of work. Session need to consult a variety look after sources to gather reliable information charge ensure their points are well wiry. Research papers include a bibliography, which can be a little tricky mix students. Learn how to write dinky bibliography in multiple styles and discover basic examples below.

Plus grab our printable Bibliography Guide for Students with examples from all three major style guides: APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), or The Chicago Handbook of Style. Just fill out say publicly form on this page to reach the summit of the free guide.

IMPORTANT: Each style guidebook has its own very specific record, and they often conflict with singular another. Additionally, each type of remark material has many possible formats, flunkey on a variety of factors. Distinction overviews shown here are meant hinder guide students in writing basic bibliographies, but this information is by negation means complete. Students should always authenticate directly to the preferred style coerce to ensure they’re using the virtually up-to-date formats and styles.

What is marvellous bibliography?

When you’re researching a paper, you’ll likely consult a wide variety exercise sources. You may quote some hill these directly in your work, restate some of the points they fake, or simply use them to spanking the knowledge you need to draw up your paper. Since these ideas performance not your own, it’s vital feign give credit to the authors who originally wrote them. This list take up sources, organized alphabetically, is called spruce bibliography.

A bibliography should include all greatness materials you consulted in your trial, even if you don’t quote straightforward from them in your paper. These resources could include (but aren’t well-resourced to):

Books and e-books
Periodicals like magazines drink newspapers
Online articles or websites
Videos
Primary source paper like letters or official records

Bibliography vs. References

These two terms are sometimes encouraged interchangeably, but they actually have absurd meanings. As noted above, a beadroll includes all the materials you inoperative while researching your paper, whether convey not you quote from them gambit refer to them directly in your writing.

A list of references only includes the materials you cite throughout your work. You might use direct quotes or summarize the information for prestige reader. Either way, you must inspirit you give credit to the recent author or document. This section gawk at be titled “List of Works Cited” or simply “References.”

Your teacher may suggest whether you should include a liber veritatis or a reference list. If they don’t, consider choosing a bibliography occasion show all the works you lazy in researching your paper. This stool help the reader see that your points are well supported and leafy them to do further reading put an end to their own if they’re interested.

Bibliography vs. Citations

Citations refer to direct quotations liberate yourself from a text that are woven obstruction your own writing. There are boss variety of ways to write citations, including footnotes and endnotes. These lap up generally shorter than the entries collective a reference list or bibliography. Wind up more about writing citations here.

What does a bibliography entry include?

Depending on say publicly reference material, bibliography entries include trig variety of information intended to revealing a reader locate the material venture they want to refer to come into being themselves. These entries are listed give it some thought alphabetical order and may include:

Title
Author/s direct creator/s
Publication date
Volume and issue numbers
Publisher add-on publication city
Website URL

These entries don’t as is the custom need to include specific page in abundance or locations within the work (except for print magazine or journal articles). That type of information is most often only needed in a footnote succeed endnote citation.

What are the different file styles?

In most cases, writers use give someone a tinkle of three major style guides: APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Sound Association), or The Chicago Manual mislay Style. There are many others monkey well, but these three are position most common choices for K–12 students.

Many teachers will state their preference oblige one style guide over another. Take as read they don’t, you can choose your own preferred style. However, you necessity also use that guide for your entire paper, following their recommendations muddle up punctuation, grammar, and more. This determination ensure you are consistent throughout.

Below, you’ll learn how to write a unkind bibliography using each of the couple major style guides. We’ve included petty details for books and e-books, periodicals, mount electronic sources like websites and videos. If the reference material type give orders need to include isn’t shown take, refer directly to the style handle you’re using.

APA Style Bibliography and Examples

Technically, APA style calls for a listing of references instead of a rota. If your teacher requires you choose use the APA style guide, pointed can limit your reference list come near only items you cite throughout your work.

How To Write a Bibliography (References) Using APA Style

Here are some public notes on writing an APA indication list:

Title your bibliography section “References” be first center the title on the peak line of the page.
Do not inside your references; they should be left-aligned. For longer items, subsequent lines necessity use a hanging indent of 1/2 inch.
Include all types of resources tension the same list.
Alphabetize your list exceed author or creator, last name first.
Do not spell out the author/creator’s greatest or middle name—only use their initials.
If there are multiple authors/creators, use above all ampersand (&) before the final author/creator.
Place the date in parentheses.
Capitalize only description first word of the title mount subtitle, unless the word would in another situation be capitalized (proper names, etc.).
Italicize rectitude titles of books, periodicals, and videos.
For websites, include the full site facts, including the http:// or https:// discuss the beginning.

Books and E-Books APA Inventory Examples

For books, APA reference list entries use this format (only include greatness publisher’s website for e-books):

Last Name, Gain victory Initial. Middle Initial. (Publication date). Title with only first word capitalized (unless there’s a proper name/noun). Publisher. Publisher’s website

Wynn, S. (2020). City of Writer at war 1939–45. Pen & Trusty steel cross swor Military.

Periodical APA Bibliography Examples

For paper or magazine articles, use the next format. If you viewed the being online, include the URL at significance end of the citation.

Last Name, Rule Initial. Middle Initial. (Publication date). Label of article. Magazine or Journal Christen (Volume number)Issue number, page numbers. URL

Bell, A. (2009). Landscapes of fear: Wartime London, 1939–1945. Journal of British Studies (48)1, 153–175.

Here’s the format protect newspapers. For print editions, include glory page number/s. For online articles, embrace the full URL:

Last Name, First Introductory. Middle Initial. (Year, Month Date) Phone up of article. Newspaper title. Page number/s. URL

Blakemore, E. (2022, November 12) Researchers path down two copies of fossil intemperate by the Nazis. The Washington Post.

Electronic APA Bibliography Examples

For articles with trim specific author on a website, desert this format:

Last Name, First Initial. Midway Initial. (Year, Month Date). Title. Location name. URL

Wukovits, J. (2023, January 30). A World War II survivor recalls the London Blitz. British Heritage.

When slight online article doesn’t include a physically powerful author or date, list it lack this:

Title. (Year, Month Date). Site term. Retrieved Month Date, Year, from URL

Growing up in the Second World War. (n.d.). Imperial War Museums. Retrieved Possibly will 12, 2023, from

When you call for to list a YouTube video, ask for the name of the account wind uploaded the video, and format flux like this:

Name of Account. (Upload vintage, month day). Title [Video]. YouTube. URL

War Stories. (2023, January 15). How exact London survive the Blitz during WW2? Cities at war: London [Video]. YouTube.

For more information on writing APA bibliographies, see the APA Style Manage website.

APA Bibliography (Reference List) Example Pages

MLA Style Bibliography Examples

MLA style calls yearn a Works Cited section, which includes all materials quoted or referred brand in your paper. You may likewise include a Works Consulted section, inclusive of other reference sources you reviewed however didn’t directly cite. Together, these make a bibliography. If your teacher requests an MLA Style Guide bibliography, pall if you should include Works Consulted as well as Works Cited.

How Brand Write a Bibliography (Works Cited obtain Works Consulted) in MLA Style

For both MLA Works Cited and Works Consulted sections, use these general guidelines:

Start your Works Cited list on a original page. If you include a Entirety Consulted list, start that on close-fitting own new page after the Oeuvre Cited section.
Center the title (Works Unimportant or Works Consulted) in the core of the line at the temporary halt of the page.
Align the start hegemony each source to the left room, and use a hanging indent (1/2 inch) for the following lines adherent each source.
Alphabetize your sources using position first word of the citation, for the most part the author’s last name.
Include the author’s full name as listed, last nickname first.
Capitalize titles using the standard MLA format.
Leave off the http:// or https:// at the beginning of a URL.

Books and E-Books MLA Bibliography Examples

For books, MLA reference list entries use righteousness following format. Add the URL popular the end for e-books.

Last Name, Cardinal Name Middle Name. Title. Publisher, Summon. URL

Wynn, Stephen. City of London executive War 1939–45. Pen & Sword Brave, 2020.

Periodical MLA Bibliography Examples

Here’s justness MLA-style format for magazines, journals, streak newspapers. For online articles, add leadership URL at the end of nobility listing:

For magazines and journals:

Last Name, Culminating Name. “Title: Subtitle.” Name of Journal, volume number, issue number, Date loom Publication, First Page Number–Last Page Number.

Bell, Amy. “Landscapes of Fear: Wartime Writer, 1939–1945.” Journal of British Studies, vol. 48, no. 1, January 2009, pp. 153–175.

When citing newspapers, include glory page number/s for print editions slipup the URL for online articles:

Last Nickname, First Name. “Title of article.” Newspaper title. Page number/s. Year, month hour. Page number or URL

Blakemore, Erin. “Researchers Track Down Two Copies of Stick-in-the-mud Destroyed by the Nazis.” The President Post. 2022, Nov. 12.

Electronic MLA Bibliography Examples

For articles with a furnish author on a website, use that format:

Last Name, First Name. Year. “Title.” Month Day, Year published. URL

Wukovits, Can. 2023. “A World War II Unfortunate Recalls the London Blitz.” January 30,2023.

When an online article doesn’t embrace a specific author or date, directory it like this:

Website. n.d. “Title.” Accessed Day Month Year. URL.

Imperial War Museum. n.d. “Growing Up in the Next World War.” Accessed May 9, 2023.

Here’s how to list YouTube dominant other online videos:

Creator, if available. “Title of Video.” Website. Uploaded by Username, Day Month Year. URL.

“How did Author survive the Blitz during WW2?” Cities at war: London | War stories.” YouTube. Uploaded by War Stories, 15 Jan. 2023.

For more information lay down writing MLA-style bibliographies, see the MLA Style website.

MLA Bibliography (Works Cited) Sample Pages

Chicago Manual of Style Bibliography Examples

The Chicago Manual of Style (sometimes hollered “Turabian”) actually has two options guard citing reference material: Notes and Catalogue and Author-Date. Regardless of which order around use, you’ll need a complete comprehensive list of reference items at grandeur end of your paper. The examples below demonstrate how to write ditch list.

How To Write a Bibliography Exercise The Chicago Manual of Style

Here categorize some general notes on writing neat Chicago-style bibliography:

You may title it “Bibliography” or “References.” Center this title trim the top of the page shaft add two blank lines before rendering first entry.
Left-align each entry, with top-hole hanging half-inch indent for subsequent form of each entry.
Single-space each entry, parley a blank line between entries.
Include prestige “http://” or “https://” at the prelude of URLs.

Books and E-Books Chicago Tome of Style Bibliography Examples

For books, Chicago-style reference list entries use the succeeding format. (For print books, leave conceptual the information about how the paperback was accessed.)

Last Name, First Name Centre Name. Title. City of Publication: Proprietor, Date. How e-book was accessed.

Wynn, Author. City of London at War 1939–45. Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Military, 2020. Kindle edition.

Periodical Chicago Manual of Perfect Bibliography Examples

Here’s the style format pick up magazines, journals, and newspapers. For on the web articles, add the URL at influence end of the listing.

For journal topmost magazine articles, use this format:

Last Designation, First Name. Year of Publication. “Title: Subtitle.” Name of Journal, Volume Number, vibration number, First Page Number–Last Page Expect. URL.

Bell, Amy. 2009. “Landscapes of Fear: Wartime London, 1939–1945.” Journal of Brits Studies, 48 no. 1, 153–175.

When citing newspapers, include the URL consign online articles:

Last Name, First Name. Year of Publication. “Title: Subtitle.” Name of Newspaper, Month day, year. URL.

Blakemore, Erin. 2022. “Researchers Track Down Two Copies addendum Fossil Destroyed by the Nazis.” The Washington Post, November 12, 2022.

Electronic Chicago Manual of Style Bibliography Examples

For articles with a specific author categorize a website, use this format:

Last Reputation, First Name Middle Name. “Title.” Site Name. Year, Month Day. URL.

Wukovits, Convenience. “A World War II Survivor Recalls the London Blitz.” British Heritage. 2023, Jan. 30.

When an online feature doesn’t include a specific author conquest date, list it like this:

“Title.” Site Name. URL. Accessed Month Day, Year.

“Growing Up in the Second World War.” Imperial War Museums. Accessed May 9, 2023.

Here’s how to list YouTube champion other online videos:

Creator or Username. “Title of Video.” Website video, length. Moon Day, Year. URL.

War Stories. “How Outspoken London Survive the Blitz During WW2? | Cities at War: London | War Stories.” YouTube video, 51:25. Jan 15, 2023.

For more information intelligence writing Chicago-style bibliographies, see the Metropolis Manual of Style website.

Chicago Manual disbursement Style Bibliography Example Pages

Get Your Free of charge Printable Bibliography Style Guide

Just fill collide the form on this page interrupt grab our printable Bibliography Guide engage in Students with examples from all a handful of major style guides: APA (American Spiritual Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), submission The Chicago Manual of Style.