Using MLA to Document Sources

Bibliography Checklist (for MLA)

Annotated bibliography Example (download)

MLA On Line

A Writer's Reference by Diana Hacker

NoodleBib: Another handy on line tool to build a bibliography. This one requires either a subscription or a library password.

Return to English 123 Home Page

• The annotated bibliography is a list of sources that you will gather as your prepare to research your topic.
• You will follow MLA documentation to prepare this list
• Each Source will have a short note explaining or summarizing the main point of the source. The short paragraph will 35-50 words long
• You will assemble list that has a variety of possible sources. Your list will have 25-30 sources
• Once you begin writing your paper, you will sort through the bibliography to find the best sources. The Works Cited list for your essay will consist of the sources from the bibliography that you used in the paper.
• Your list should represent a variety of sources from books to periodical articles to internet sources, interviews, emails with experts, letters, telephone conversations.

Helpful Hints

• Seek help from course instructor or librarian
• Do not procrastinate
• Find a topic that you are interested in, have a curiosity about
• Create a manageable work schedule (practice good time management)
• Come to class--a bit obvious; however, we will be covering new territory each day and will have examples and instructions
• Take good notes
  

Checklist for Assembling Your Bibliography

• Items on a bibliography are listed in alphabetical order according to author’s or editor’s last name or according to the first main word in a title if there is no author.
  
• Do not number entries on a works cited or bibliography
  
• Each MLA citation ends with a (.)
  
• Titles of articles, books, and journals are capitalized
  
• Titles or articles are in ("")
  
• Titles of books, journals, newspapers, magazines are either underlined or italicized. Note: Because some word processors underline URLs web addresses--to avoid confusion, use italics for these titles
  
• Do not use the abbreviations "v" for volume, "p" for page, ect.
  
• Create a hanging indent. Entries on a bibliography are indented 1 paragraph tab or ten spaces when they continue for more than one line. In Word 6+ you can create a hanging indent by going to Format, Paragraph, Special, and selecting Hanging.
  
• Omit Publisher, INC, and CO with publisher’s name. You need only use the name of the publisher. It is acceptable, in fact, desirable, to use abbreviations in citations.