English 202 Spring 2004 - Research Writing

Works Cited - MLA Style
 

Preparing a list of Works Cited is actually as simple, but precise job. Most researchers rely on a guidebook (like your Bedford or The MLA Guide to Research Writing) for the exact details of format. The general purpose is to provide sufficient information that an interested reader could locate your source; each discipline has standardized format rules for different kinds of sources so that one can look at a citation and quickly determine what kind of source it is.

Composing your own Works Cited, you will need:

• Original sources
• Full publication information (including titles, authors, pages, dates, web addresses, etc.)
• A guidebook

The main tasks in composing a Works Cited are:

1. Gather all possibly relevant information on the source
2. Determine what kind of source it is (magazine article, website, journal article reprinted in database, etc.)
3. Consult a guidebook for the proper format to use with this "kind" of source
4. Assemble the specific details for your source in the manner of the model

To help you practice the process, I have assembled a handful of sample sources.  Using the format guidelines in Bedford Ch. 17, you should work with a partner to assemble a Works Cited page for these sources.

1. Open Microsoft Word (through the Office Toolbar)
2. Access the Sample sources. (This link will take you to the library reserve, where you will need to enter the password:     sheengl202   and select the link   A Works Cited Exercise
3. Write entries for each and post to webct. <Sample>

 
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Last Updated: 09 December, 2008