What is a Bibliography?

What is a Bibliography?

• A bibliography is a descriptive list of sources used in preparing written work
• It identifies publication information about the sources used, allowing readers to know where the information originally came from
• The word "bibliography" comes from ancient Greek, with "biblion" meaning 'book' and "-graphia" meaning 'to write'

Importance of a Bibliography

• A bibliography is necessary every time someone else's work is used in writing
• This is called citing, or giving credit to a source
• Giving credit to sources avoids legal or academic consequences and prevents plagiarism
• Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else's words and using them as your own, and can lead to major consequences

Types of Citation

• There are different ways to write a bibliography, depending on the subject being written about
• The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used for writing in humanities, such as literature, languages, history, and art
• The American Psychological Association (APA) style is used for writing in social sciences, such as education, law, science, and psychology
• The Chicago Style is used less often for both subjects and is the oldest and most detailed manual

Rules to Remember

• All bibliography entries follow a pattern based on the type of source being used
• Sources should be in alphabetical order by first word
• Double space between entries, and indent all lines 5 spaces, except the first line
• If a source doesn't have an author, use the title in place of the author's name
• Format the author's name as Last name, First name

Citing Sources

Books

• Fiction and non-fiction books follow the pattern: Author. Title of Book. Publisher, Copyright date.
• Example: Yolen, Jane. The Encounter. Harcourt, 1996.

Encyclopedias (print)

• Follow the pattern: ''Article Title.'' Name of Encyclopedia. Edition, Copyright date.
• Example: ''Zebra''. World Book Encyclopedia. 3rd ed., 1996.

Magazines

Magazine Article (Online)

• Follow the pattern: Author. ''Title of Article.'' Journal Name, Date article was published, URL. Access date.
• Example: McGrath, Brian. ''Breaking Barriers in Toys.'' Time For Kids, 21 Oct. 2016, http://www.timeforkids.com/news/breaking-barriers-toys/480956. Accessed 31 Nov. 2016.

Magazine Article (Print)

• Follow the pattern: Author. ''Title of Article.'' Name of Magazine. Date (day month year), Pages.
• Example: Markham, Lois. ''A Gallery of Great Native Americans.'' National Geographic for Kids. 17 August 2001, pp. 6-7.

Interviews

Personal Interview

• Follow the pattern: Last name, First name. Kind of interview. Day, Month, Year.
• Example: Piane, Nancy. Personal Interview. 5 Oct. 2016.

Published Interview

• Follow the pattern: Last name, First name of interviewer. Interview with interviewee. Publisher, Volume, Issue, Year, Page location.
• Example: Hill, Maria. Interview with Ted Bradley. Minnesota Review, vol. 5, no. 13, 2012, pp. 112-20.