Proper Way to List a Bibliography
A bibliography is a list of all the sources you consulted in writing your work, whether you cited them directly or not. Here's a breakdown of the proper way to list one:
1. Format:
* Alphabetical Order: List entries alphabetically by the first word of each entry (usually the author's last name).
* Hanging Indentation: The first line of each entry is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented. This makes the bibliography easier to read.
2. Style Guides:
* Choose a Style: Different disciplines use different style guides. Some common ones include:
* MLA (Modern Language Association): Used in humanities fields like literature, languages, and cultural studies.
* APA (American Psychological Association): Used in social sciences like psychology, sociology, and education.
* Chicago/Turabian: Used in history, business, and the arts.
* ACS (American Chemical Society): Used in chemistry and related fields.
* Follow the Guide: Each style guide has specific rules for formatting your bibliography. Consult the guide for details on:
* Order of Information: Author, Title, Publication, etc.
* Punctuation: Use of commas, periods, parentheses, etc.
* Abbreviations: Use of standard abbreviations for institutions, publishers, etc.
3. Basic Entry Structure:
* Author: Last name, First name.
* Title: Italicized if it's a book, article, or journal.
* Publication Details: This will vary depending on the type of source and style guide. It might include:
* Publisher
* Publication Date
* Journal Name
* Volume and Issue Numbers
* Page Numbers
* URL (for online sources)
* Additional Information: Some styles require you to include specific details like edition number, translator, or editor.
4. Examples:
MLA:
* Book:
* Smith, John. *The Art of Writing*. Penguin, 2019.
* Article:
* Jones, Sarah. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." *Journal of Communication*, vol. 69, no. 2, 2020, pp. 345-362.
APA:
* Book:
* Smith, J. (2019). *The art of writing*. Penguin.
* Article:
* Jones, S. (2020). The impact of social media on teenagers. *Journal of Communication*, 69(2), 345-362.
Chicago/Turabian:
* Book:
* Smith, John. *The Art of Writing*. New York: Penguin, 2019.
* Article:
* Jones, Sarah. “The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers.” *Journal of Communication* 69, no. 2 (2020): 345–62.
5. Online Tools:
* Citation Generators: Use online tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EasyBib to help format your citations and bibliography. However, always double-check the formatting against your chosen style guide!
Remember:
* Be consistent with your formatting throughout your bibliography.
* Double-check your entries for accuracy.
* Use a clear and concise writing style.
* Your bibliography should be easy to read and understand.
Following these guidelines will help you create a proper and well-formatted bibliography for your academic work.