Making a bibliography for your paper or project can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. MLA style, which stands for Modern Language Association, is one of the most popular and widely-used citation styles. It is used to document sources and give credit to authors for their work. Creating a bibliography in MLA style is simple and straightforward. With just a few steps, you’ll be on your way to having a complete and accurate bibliography.
Step 1 – Gather Your Sources
The first thing you need to do is to collect all of the sources you plan to use in your paper. This can be books, articles, websites, databases, and more. Make sure to make a note of all the information you will need to cite the source correctly. This usually includes the author’s name, title of the work, date of publication, publisher, and other relevant information. You should also keep track of the page numbers you are citing from each source.
Step 2 – Format Your Sources
Once you have all of your sources gathered, you need to format them for your bibliography. For MLA style, you need to include the author’s name, title of the work, date of publication, publisher, and other relevant information. For books, you will also need to include the city of publication and the edition number. For articles, you will need to include the title of the magazine or journal, volume number, and page numbers. Websites will need the URL and the date accessed.
Step 3 – List Your Sources
After you have gathered and formatted your sources, you can begin listing them in your bibliography. Start by listing each source in alphabetical order according to the author’s last name. If there is no author, you can use the title of the work. Then, list the other information in the order specified by MLA style. Make sure to use the correct punctuation and include any additional information that is necessary.
Step 4 – Cite Your Sources in Your Paper
Once you have compiled a list of sources for your bibliography, you can begin citing them in your paper. For MLA style, you will need to include the author’s name and the page number in parentheses whenever you are citing a source. This will allow your reader to easily find the source in your bibliography. Make sure to include any additional information, such as the date of publication or the title of the work, when you are citing a source.
Step 5 – Check for Accuracy
Before you submit your paper or project, double-check your bibliography for accuracy. Make sure that all of the information is correct and that all of the sources are included. You don’t want to risk receiving a lower grade on your paper due to an incorrect or missing source. Once you’ve checked everything, you’re done! You’ve successfully created a bibliography in MLA style.
Conclusion
Creating a bibliography in MLA style doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. With a few simple steps, you can quickly and easily create a complete and accurate bibliography. Just remember to gather all of your sources, format them correctly, list them in alphabetical order, cite them correctly in your paper, and double-check for accuracy before you submit your work. With these steps, you’ll be sure to get the grade you deserve.