A Works Cited Page

 

         A works cited page is the key to all of a paper’s parenthetical references; it gives specific information about the sources of information that you used in your research.  It is the last page of the research paper. 

         Put your last name and the page number at the top right of the page just like all the other pages in your report; using a “header” with your word processor is the easiest method.  The words “Works Cited” appear at the top of the page, centered horizontally, like a title.  Everything in the list is double-spaced with no extra spaces between entries.  The first line of each entry is against the left margin; all other lines of a particular entry are indented five (5) spaces.  This formatting is called a hanging indent. 

         Generally, bibliographic citations contain author name, title, and publishing information in that order.  If a work lacks something (e.g. the author’s name), just write the information that does appear.  It is essential that the works cited page is alphabetized according to the first word of each entry (typically the author), and that this word is what appears within the references in the text of the research paper (see “Citing Your Sources”).  Entries are not numbered.

         The following examples illustrate the most common types of citations that students need; however, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (5th ed. 1999) points out many other types.  If one of your reference works doesn’t seem to fit with the entries on this page, you need to refer to the MLA Handbook.  The numbers (e.g. 4.6.2) refer to the sections in the MLA Handbook to make it easier to find more citation information when you need it.  


Works Cited Page

 

·        Works cited page is last page of the research paper.

·        Type  your last name and the page number at top right of page (1/2 inch from top edge).  Using a “header” is the easiest way to do this.

·        “Works Cited” appears 1 inch from the top edge, centered horizontally.

·        Everything is double-spaced with no extra spaces between entries.

·        First line of each entry is against the left margin; all other lines of the entry are indented five spaces; this is called a “hanging indent.”

·        Most entries contain author name, title, and publishing information in that order.

·        If  a work lacks something (e.g. author’s name), write the information that does appear.

·        The works cited page is alphabetized according to the first word of each entry (typically the author); this word must appear in the references within the text of the research paper.

·        Refer to the MLA Handbook when one of your references doesn’t fit with the following samples.  The numbers (e.g. 4.6.2) refer to the sections in the MLA Handbook. 

 

Books  (4.6)

 

Author(s). Title.  Publisher’s city:  Publisher, date.

 

single author

 

Jones, John.  The Joy of Boring Names.  New York:  Bland Press, Inc., 1989.

2 or more authors

 

Arthur, Lance, and Richard King.  Monarchies Throughout the Ages.  Chicago:  Royal Books, 1995.

An article in an anthology

 

Training, Robert.  “How To Do Everything.”  Complete Instruction Manual on Life.  Ed. Simon Knowsall.  Los Angeles:  Egghead, Beanie, and Nobert, 2001.

Encyclopedia and other Reference Works (4.6.8)

 

Author.  “Article Title.”  Encyclopedia Name.  edition & year.

 

Book

 

Peepers, Sandy.  “Chicken.”  World Book Encyclopedia.  12th ed.  1983.

 

CD-ROM (4.9.5)

 

Lesfrites, Dominique.  “France’s Agriculture.”  Encoda Encyclopedia.  CD-ROM.  4th ed.  Seattle:  Microsquish, 1995.

Articles in newspapers (4.7.5)

Author.  “Article Title.”  Newspaper [City if not in newspaper name] Date:  page number.

 

Green, Doug.  “Broadcasting Nightmare.”  Daily Mirror [Boston] 25 Apr. 1999:  C1+.

Articles in magazines (4.7.6)

Author(s).  “Article Title.”  Magazine date:  page numbers.

 

Smith, Barney.  “Stock Market Rebounds.”  Financial Weekly 25 Apr. 2001: 37-40.

Articles in Scholarly Journals (4.7.1)

Author’s name.  “Title of the article.”  Journal Title Volume number (year of publication):  inclusive page numbers.

Peace, Warren.  “The Thermodynamics of the Cold War .”  Journal of Russian Studies  18 (1997):  19-92.

Film (4.8.3)

Title.  Director.  Optional:  performers, writers, producers.  Distributor, year.

 

Tragedy on the Cliff.  Dir. Eileen Dover.  Perf. Rush Downs and Marian Haste.  Fanfare Films, 2001.

Broadcast Interview (4.8.7)

 

Name of the interviewed.  Interview with name of interviewer.  Title of show or event.  Broadcaster, City.  Date.

 

Nader, Ralph.  Interview with Ray Suarez.  Talk of the Nation.  National Public Radio, WBUR, Boston.  16 Apr. 1998.

Researcher’s Interview (4.8.7)

 

Name of the interviewed.  Personal interview.  Date.

 

Presley, Elvis.  Personal interview.  15 May 2002.

 

Online Resources—Document within Information Database (4.9.2)

 

Author.  “Title of article.”  Title of project or database.  Editor.  Version & publication date.  Sponsoring organization.  Date of access <online address>.

 

Dove, Norma.  “Swan-dives and Back Pike Reverses.”  Aquatic Sports for All.  Ed. Mark Spitz.  2001.  All-Wet Enterprises.  15 Mar. 2002 <http://www.allsoaking.com/diving/dove.html>.

“Mayan Civilization.”  Britannica Online.  Version 98.2.  Apr. 1998.  Encyclopaedia Britannica.  8 May 1998 <http://www.eb.com:180>.

Online Resources—Re-published Article on Online Service (4.9.7)

 

Author. “Title of article.”  Original Magazine date:  pages.  Name of database.  Library with subscription.  Date of access.  <online address>.

 

Fox, James.  “Environmental Collisions.”  Newsweek 21 Oct. 2001:  73-77.  ProQuest.   Valley Middle School, Carlsbad, CA.  3 Mar. 2002 <www.umi.com/proquest/>.

 

Online Resources—A Professional or Personal Site (4.9.2.c)

 

Author.  Title of site.  Name of organization associated with site.  Date of access <online address>.

 

Gogh, E.  It’s All About Me.  Vanity Press.  14 Nov. 2001 <gogh.vanity.org/personal/brags.html>.