What is the difference between a works cited page, a bibliography, and a reference page?
Answer
The terms Works Cited, Bibliography, and References refer to lists of sources used in academic or professional writing, but they differ in scope and style based on the citation method employed. Use Works Cited for MLA, Bibliography for Chicago-style, and References for APA-cited sources. Always check your assignment or discipline guidelines to determine which format is required. Here's a breakdown:
1. Works Cited
- Definition: A list of sources that are directly cited within the body of your work.
- Style: Typically used in MLA (Modern Language Association) format.
- Scope: Includes only the sources you actually referenced in your paper.
- Example Use: Literature, humanities, or arts-focused research.
2. Bibliography
- Definition: A comprehensive list of all sources you consulted during your research, whether or not they were cited directly in your work.
- Style: Often used in Chicago or Turabian citation styles but may also appear in other contexts.
- Scope: Includes everything you read, even if it informed your understanding but wasn’t directly quoted or paraphrased in your work.
- Example Use: History, multi-disciplinary projects, or extensive research papers.
3. References
- Definition: A list of sources that are directly cited within the body of your work, much like a Works Cited page, but used in different disciplines and citation styles.
- Style: Standard in APA (American Psychological Association) format.
- Scope: Includes only the sources cited in your paper but follows specific APA formatting guidelines.
- Example Use: Psychology, education, nursing, and other social sciences.