What Is the Difference Between a Bibliography and a Works Cited Page?

As a student or writer, you may have come across the terms “bibliography” and “works cited page” and wondered what the difference is between the two.

It is important to understand the distinction between the two, as using them incorrectly can result in accusations of plagiarism and damage to your credibility as a researcher or writer.

Bibliography

A bibliography is a list of sources that have been used in the research and preparation of a document. It includes all the sources that have contributed to the writer’s understanding of the topic, whether they are directly cited in the text or not.

The purpose of a bibliography is to provide the reader with a comprehensive list of sources that were consulted during the research process, and to give credit to the original authors for their work.

A bibliography can include a wide range of sources, including books, journal articles, websites, government documents, and more.

The format for a bibliography may vary depending on the citation style being used (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago), but typically includes the following information for each source:

• Author’s name
• Title of the source
• Publisher
• Date of publication

Example of a bibliography entry in MLA format:

Smith, John. “The History of the Internet.” New York Times, 1 Jan. 2000, pp. 1-10.

Works Cited Page

A works cited page, on the other hand, is a list of sources that have specifically been cited or referenced in the text of a document. It is similar to a bibliography, but only includes sources that have been directly quoted or paraphrased in the text.

The purpose of a works cited page is to give credit to the original sources of the ideas and information used in the document, and to allow the reader to locate and verify those sources if desired.

It is an essential part of any academic paper, as it helps to demonstrate the writer’s research skills and to establish the credibility of their work.

Like a bibliography, a works cited page follows a specific format depending on the citation style being used. It is usually placed at the end of the document, and includes the same information as a bibliography entry, such as the author’s name, title of the source, publisher, and date of publication.

Example of a works cited entry in MLA format:

Smith, John. “The History of the Internet.” New York Times, 1 Jan. 2000, pp. 1-10.

Differences Between a Bibliography and a Works Cited Page

While both a bibliography and a works cited page serve similar purposes of providing a list of sources used in the research and preparation of a document, there are some key differences between the two:

1. Scope: A bibliography includes all sources that have contributed to the writer’s understanding of the topic, whether they are directly cited in the text or not. A works cited page only includes sources that have been directly quoted or paraphrased in the text.
2. Placement: A bibliography is usually placed at the end of a document, while a works cited page is usually placed at the end of a specific chapter or section.
3. Purpose: The primary purpose of a bibliography is to provide the reader with a comprehensive list of sources that were consulted during the research process. The primary purpose of a works cited page is to give credit to the original sources of the ideas and information used in the document, and to allow the reader to locate and verify those sources if desired.

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When to Use a Bibliography

A bibliography is typically used when:

• The document is a research paper or academic document that requires a comprehensive list of sources.
• The writer wants to provide a complete list of sources that were consulted during the research process, even if they were not directly cited in the text.

When to Use a Works Cited Page

A works cited page is typically used when:

• The document is an academic paper that requires in-text citations and a list of sources.
• The writer has directly quoted or paraphrased specific ideas or information from other sources in the text of the document.

It is important to note that while a bibliography and a works cited page may seem similar, they serve different purposes and are used in different contexts.

It is essential to understand the distinction between the two and use them correctly in order to avoid accusations of plagiarism and to establish the credibility of your work as a researcher or writer.

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