What is a Bibliography?

Study Notes

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'

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.