Spencer Lanoue
Creating a works cited page might not be the most thrilling part of writing a paper, but it's a crucial step if you want to back up your work with solid references. Think of it as giving credit where credit is due. In this post, we'll walk through how to put one together, covering the essentials so you can compile your sources smoothly and confidently.
What's a Works Cited Page, Anyway?
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let's clarify what a works cited page is. Simply put, it's a list of all the sources you've referenced in your paper. If you've used a quote, an idea, or even just some data to support your points, it should appear here. This page lets readers track down the original sources if they want to dive deeper into your topic.
Though it might sound straightforward, creating a works cited page involves following specific formatting rules, often dictated by style guides like MLA, APA, or Chicago. Choosing the correct style guide is your first step. If you're not sure which one to use, check with your instructor or the guidelines for your field of study.
Setting Up Your Page: Basics You Need to Know
Now that you know what a works cited page is, let's discuss setting it up. The good news? Most style guides share a few common principles that can help you get started:
- Title: Center the title "Works Cited" at the top of the page. Don't bold, italicize, or underline it.
- Spacing: Double-space your entire page. This includes between entries.
- Font: Stick with a readable font like Times New Roman, 12-point size.
- Margins: Use one-inch margins on all sides of the page.
- Hanging Indent: For entries longer than one line, use a hanging indent to set off the second line (and any subsequent lines) by half an inch.
Here's a quick example of what a basic entry might look like:
Smith, John. *The Art of Writing*. New York: Random House, 2020.
Notice the use of italics for the book title? That's an MLA style rule, and we'll get into more specifics like this in the following sections.
MLA Style: The Go-To for Humanities
If you're studying literature, history, or similar fields, you're likely using MLA style for your citations. Here's how to format some common types of sources:
Books
For a book, the basic format includes the author's name, the book title in italics, the publisher, and the publication year:
Author(s). *Title of Book*. Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example:
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. *The Great Gatsby*. Scribner, 2004.
Articles
For articles, include the author's name, article title in quotes, publication title in italics, volume number, issue number, year, and page range:
Author(s). "Title of Article." *Title of Journal*, vol. number, no. number, year, pages.
Example:
Doe, Jane. "Understanding Gatsby." *Journal of Literary Studies*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2018, pp. 45-60.
Websites
Citing a website involves the author's name (if available), the title of the page in quotes, the website name in italics, the publication date, the URL, and the access date:
Author(s). "Title of Web Page." *Title of Website*, Publisher, date of publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Example:
Smith, John. "Writing Tips." *Write Better*, 2021, www.writebetter.com/tips. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023.
These examples give you a snapshot of MLA formatting. Remember that there are many more variations depending on the source type. When in doubt, consult the latest edition of the MLA Handbook.
APA Style: Popular in the Social Sciences
If your work falls under psychology, education, or other social sciences, APA style might be your go-to. The format differs slightly from MLA, focusing more on the publication date. Here's what you need to know:
Books
APA format for books includes the author's last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, book title in italics, and the publisher:
Author(s). (Year). *Title of Book*. Publisher.
Example:
Fitzgerald, F. S. (2004). *The Great Gatsby*. Scribner.
Articles
For articles, the format includes the author's last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, article title, journal title in italics, volume number in italics, issue number in parentheses, and page range:
Author(s). (Year). Title of article. *Title of Journal*, *Volume*(Issue), pages.
Example:
Doe, J. (2018). Understanding Gatsby. *Journal of Literary Studies*, *10*(2), 45-60.
Websites
For websites, you'll need the author's last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, page title, website name in italics, and URL:
Author(s). (Year). Title of web page. *Title of Website*. URL
Example:
Smith, J. (2021). Writing tips. *Write Better*. www.writebetter.com/tips
APA style is all about consistency, so make sure you're following the same format throughout your works cited page.
Chicago Style: A Favorite in History and the Arts
For history, art, and other humanities, Chicago style might be the preferred choice. It offers two systems: Notes and Bibliography, and Author-Date. Here, we'll focus on the Notes and Bibliography system, which is more common for works cited pages.
Books
When citing books, include the author's name, title in italics, publication place, publisher, and year:
Author(s). *Title of Book*. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.
Example:
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. *The Great Gatsby*. New York: Scribner, 2004.
Articles
For articles, the citation should include the author's name, article title in quotes, journal title in italics, volume and issue numbers, year, and page range:
Author(s). "Title of Article." *Title of Journal* volume, no. (year): pages.
Example:
Doe, Jane. "Understanding Gatsby." *Journal of Literary Studies* 10, no. 2 (2018): 45-60.
Websites
For websites, include the author's name, page title in quotes, website name in italics, publication date, and URL:
Author(s). "Title of Web Page." *Title of Website*. Publication date. URL.
Example:
Smith, John. "Writing Tips." *Write Better*. 2021. www.writebetter.com/tips
Chicago style might seem a bit old-school, but it offers a lot of flexibility and depth, making it popular among historians and artists.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best of us can slip up when creating a works cited page. Here are some common pitfalls and how to sidestep them:
- Forgetting to Include a Source: Double-check that every source you've cited in your paper is listed on your works cited page.
- Incorrect Author Order: Always start with the last name of the first author, followed by the first name.
- Inconsistent Formatting: Stick to one style guide and ensure all entries follow its rules consistently.
- Wrong Italics or Quotes: Use italics for titles of books and journals, and quotes for articles and web pages.
- Missing Details: Make sure every entry includes all necessary information like publication year, publisher, and page numbers.
These are just a few hiccups you might encounter, but catching them can take your works cited page from good to professional.
Tools and Resources to Make Your Life Easier
Creating a works cited page by hand can be tedious, but there are plenty of tools out there to lend a hand:
- Citation Generators: Tools like EasyBib, Zotero, and Citation Machine can format entries for you in various styles.
- Reference Management Software: Programs like EndNote and Mendeley help organize and store your references.
- Spell: If you're looking to create entire documents quickly and efficiently, Spell can help draft and refine your works cited page, ensuring everything's in order.
With these tools at your disposal, you can save time and avoid common formatting errors.
How Spell Can Help
While traditional document editors are great, Spell offers a unique advantage. Imagine being able to draft your entire works cited page in just seconds. With built-in AI, Spell helps ensure your entries are accurate and correctly formatted, all while keeping your style consistent. It's like having a personal assistant who knows all the citation rules!
Gone are the days of flipping through style guides or rearranging entries manually. With Spell, you can trust that your works cited page will be polished and professional, leaving you more time to focus on the content of your paper.
Putting It All Together: Your Final Checklist
Before you call your works cited page complete, give it a final once-over with this checklist:
- Title: Is "Works Cited" centered at the top?
- Spacing: Are all entries double-spaced?
- Font and Size: Are you using a standard font like Times New Roman, 12-point?
- Hanging Indent: Did you apply a hanging indent for any entry longer than one line?
- Consistency: Are all entries formatted according to the same style guide?
- Accuracy: Does every citation match its corresponding reference in your paper?
By going through these points, you can ensure your works cited page is ready to impress. And remember, while it might seem like a lot of work upfront, a well-organized works cited page can make a world of difference in how your paper is perceived.
Final Thoughts
Crafting a thorough works cited page is a key part of academic writing and helps lend credibility to your work. With tools like Spell, you can streamline this process, allowing you to focus more on your research and writing. So, next time you're piecing together your sources, try these tips and see how much smoother the process becomes.
