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Bibliography ( Greek βίβλος = book γραφή = write) is the arrangement of printed books and articles according to author or subject , and the publication of lists of titles. Bibliographies are of many different kinds and may be annotated with information about their contents. Bibliographies may be organized in various ways, such as by authors, subjects or date of publication. Bibliographies without annotations are sometimes given the modest title of checklists .

Another meaning of Bibliography is the academic study of books as physical and cultural objects; in this sense, it is also known as bibliology . This kind of bibliography is not concerned with the written content of books, but rather the "bookness" of books-–how they were designed, edited, printed, circulated, reprinted and collected.

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bibliography

Definition of bibliography

Examples of bibliography in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bibliography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

probably from New Latin bibliographia , from Greek, the copying of books, from bibli- + -graphia -graphy

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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“Bibliography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bibliography. Accessed 24 May. 2024.

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What Is a Bibliography?

• Writing Research Papers
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A bibliography is a list of books, scholarly  articles , speeches, private records, diaries, interviews, laws, letters, websites, and other sources you use when researching a topic and writing a paper. The bibliography appears at the end.

The main purpose of a bibliography entry is to give credit to authors whose work you've consulted in your research. It also makes it easy for a reader to find out more about your topic by delving into the research that you used to write your paper. In the academic world, papers aren't written in a vacuum; academic journals are the way new research on a topic circulates and previous work is built upon.

Bibliography entries must be written in a very specific format, but that format will depend on the particular style of writing you follow. Your teacher or publisher will tell you which style to use, and for most academic papers it will be either MLA , American Psychological Association (APA), Chicago (author-date citations or footnotes/endnotes format), or Turabian style .

The bibliography is sometimes also called the references, works cited, or works consulted page.

Components of a Bibliography Entry

Bibliography entries will compile:

• Authors and/or editors (and translator, if applicable)
• Title of your source (as well as edition, volume, and the book title if your source is a chapter or article in a multi-author book with an editor)
• Publication information (the city, state, name of the publisher, date published, page numbers consulted, and URL or DOI, if applicable)
• Access date, in the case of online sources (check with the style guide at the beginning of your research as to whether you need to track this information)

Order and Formatting

Your entries should be listed in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author. If you are using two publications that are written by the same author, the order and format will depend on the style guide.

In MLA, Chicago, and Turabian style, you should list the duplicate-author entries in alphabetical order according to the title of the work. The author's name is written as normal for his or her first entry, but for the second entry, you will replace the author's name with three long dashes. 

In APA style, you list the duplicate-author entries in chronological order of publication, placing the earliest first. The name of the author is used for all entries.

For works with more than one author, styles vary as to whether you invert the name of any authors after the first. Whether you use title casing or sentence-style casing on titles of sources, and whether you separate elements with commas or periods also varies among different style guides. Consult the guide's manual for more detailed information.

Bibliography entries are usually formatted using a hanging indent. This means that the first line of each citation is not indented, but subsequent lines of each citation are indented. Check with your instructor or publication to see if this format is required, and look up information in your word processor's help program if you do not know how to create a hanging indent with it.

Chicago's Bibliography vs. Reference System

Chicago has two different ways of citing works consulted: using a bibliography or a references page. Use of a bibliography or a references page depends on whether you're using author-date parenthetical citations in the paper or footnotes/endnotes. If you're using parenthetical citations, then you'll follow the references page formatting. If you're using footnotes or endnotes, you'll use a bibliography. The difference in the formatting of entries between the two systems is the location of the date of the cited publication. In a bibliography, it goes at the end of an entry. In a references list in the author-date style, it goes right after the author's name, similar to APA style.

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How To Write a Bibliography (3 Styles, Plus Examples)

Give credit where credit is due.

Writing a research paper involves a lot of work. Students need to consult a variety of sources to gather reliable information and ensure their points are well supported. Research papers include a bibliography, which can be a little tricky for students. Learn how to write a bibliography in multiple styles and find basic examples below.

IMPORTANT: Each style guide has its own very specific rules, and they often conflict with one another. Additionally, each type of reference material has many possible formats, depending on a variety of factors. The overviews shown here are meant to guide students in writing basic bibliographies, but this information is by no means complete. Students should always refer directly to the preferred style guide to ensure they’re using the most up-to-date formats and styles.

What is a bibliography?

When you’re researching a paper, you’ll likely consult a wide variety of sources. You may quote some of these directly in your work, summarize some of the points they make, or simply use them to further the knowledge you need to write your paper. Since these ideas are not your own, it’s vital to give credit to the authors who originally wrote them. This list of sources, organized alphabetically, is called a bibliography.

A bibliography should include all the materials you consulted in your research, even if you don’t quote directly from them in your paper. These resources could include (but aren’t limited to):

• Books and e-books
• Periodicals like magazines or newspapers
• Online articles or websites
• Primary source documents like letters or official records

Bibliography vs. References

These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. As noted above, a bibliography includes all the materials you used while researching your paper, whether or not you quote from them or refer to them directly in your writing.

A list of references only includes the materials you cite throughout your work. You might use direct quotes or summarize the information for the reader. Either way, you must ensure you give credit to the original author or document. This section can be titled “List of Works Cited” or simply “References.”

Your teacher may specify whether you should include a bibliography or a reference list. If they don’t, consider choosing a bibliography, to show all the works you used in researching your paper. This can help the reader see that your points are well supported, and allow them to do further reading on their own if they’re interested.

Bibliography vs. Citations

Citations refer to direct quotations from a text that are woven into your own writing. There are a variety of ways to write citations, including footnotes and endnotes. These are generally shorter than the entries in a reference list or bibliography. Learn more about writing citations here.

What does a bibliography entry include?

Depending on the reference material, bibliography entries include a variety of information intended to help a reader locate the material if they want to refer to it themselves. These entries are listed in alphabetical order and may include:

• Author/s or creator/s
• Publication date
• Volume and issue numbers
• Publisher and publication city
• Website URL

These entries don’t generally need to include specific page numbers or locations within the work (except for print magazine or journal articles). That type of information is usually only needed in a footnote or endnote citation.

What are the different bibliography styles?

In most cases, writers use one of three major style guides: APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), or The Chicago Manual of Style . There are many others as well, but these three are the most common choices for K–12 students.

Many teachers will state their preference for one style guide over another. If they don’t, you can choose your own preferred style. However, you should also use that guide for your entire paper, following their recommendations for punctuation, grammar, and more. This will ensure you are consistent throughout.

Below, you’ll learn how to write a simple bibliography using each of the three major style guides. We’ve included details for books and e-books, periodicals, and electronic sources like websites and videos. If the reference material type you need to include isn’t shown here, refer directly to the style guide you’re using.

APA Style Bibliography and Examples

Source: Verywell Mind

Technically, APA style calls for a list of references instead of a bibliography. If your teacher requires you to use the APA style guide , you can limit your reference list to only items you cite throughout your work.

How To Write a Bibliography (References) Using APA Style

Here are some general notes on writing an APA reference list:

• Title your bibliography section “References” and center the title on the top line of the page.
• Do not center your references; they should be left-aligned. For longer items, subsequent lines should use a hanging indent of 1/2 inch.
• Include all types of resources in the same list.
• Alphabetize your list by author or creator, last name first.
• Do not spell out the author/creator’s first or middle name—only use their initials.
• If there are multiple authors/creators, use an ampersand (&) before the final author/creator.
• Place the date in parentheses.
• Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle, unless the word would otherwise be capitalized (proper names, etc.).
• Italicize the titles of books, periodicals, or videos.
• For websites, include the full site information, including the http:// or https:// at the beginning.

Books and E-Books APA Bibliography Examples

For books, APA reference list entries use this format (only include the publisher’s website for e-books):

Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Publication date). Title with only first word capitalized (unless there’s proper name/noun) . Publisher. Publisher’s website

• Wynn, S. (2020). City of London at war 1939–45 . Pen & Sword Military. https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/City-of-London-at-War-193945-Paperback/p/17299

Periodical APA Bibliography Examples

For journal or magazine articles, use the following format. If you viewed the article online, include the URL at the end of the citation.

Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Publication date). Title of article. Magazine or Journal Title (Volume number) Issue number, page numbers. URL

• Bell, A. (2009). Landscapes of fear: Wartime London, 1939–1945. Journal of British Studies (48) 1, 153–175. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25482966

Here’s the format for newspapers. For print editions, include the page number/s. For online articles, include the full URL:

Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year, Month Date) Title of article. Newspaper title. Page number/s. URL

• Blakemore, E. (2022, November 12) Researchers track down two copies of fossil destroyed by the Nazis.  The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2022/11/12/ichthyosaur-fossil-images-discovered/

Electronic APA Bibliography Examples

For articles with a specific author on a website, use this format:

Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year, Month Date). Title . Site name. URL

• Wukovits, J. (2023, January 30). A World War II survivor recalls the London Blitz . British Heritage . https://britishheritage.com/history/world-war-ii-survivor-london-blitz

When an online article doesn’t include a specific author or date, list it like this:

Title . (Year, Month Date). Site name. Retrieved Month Date, Year, from URL

• Growing up in the Second World War . (n.d.). Imperial War Museums. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/growing-up-in-the-second-world-war

When you need to list a YouTube video, use the name of the account that uploaded the video, and format it like this:

Name of Account. (Upload year, month day). Title [Video]. YouTube. URL

• War Stories. (2023, January 15). How did London survive the Blitz during WW2? | Cities at war: London | War stories [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/uwY6JlCvbxc

For more information on writing APA bibliographies, see the APA Style Guide website.

APA Bibliography (Reference List) Example Pages

Source: Simply Psychology

More APA example pages:

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MLA Style Bibliography Examples

Source: Pressbooks

MLA style calls for a Works Cited section, which includes all materials quoted or referred to in your paper. You may also include a Works Consulted section, including other reference sources you reviewed but didn’t directly cite. Together, these constitute a bibliography. If your teacher requests an MLA Style Guide bibliography, ask if you should include Works Consulted as well as Works Cited.

How To Write a Bibliography (Works Cited and Works Consulted) in MLA Style

For both MLA Works Cited and Works Consulted sections, use these general guidelines:

• Start your Works Cited list on a new page. If you include a Works Consulted list, start that on its own new page after the Works Cited section.
• Center the title (Works Cited or Works Consulted) in the middle of the line at the top of the page.
• Align the start of each source to the left margin, and use a hanging indent (1/2 inch) for the following lines of each source.
• Alphabetize your sources using the first word of the citation, usually the author’s last name.
• Include the author’s full name as listed, last name first.
• Capitalize titles using the standard MLA format.
• Leave off the http:// or https:// at the beginning of a URL.

Books and E-Books MLA Bibliography Examples

For books, MLA reference list entries use the following format. Add the URL at the end for e-books.

Last Name, First Name Middle Name. Title . Publisher, Date. URL

• Wynn, Stephen. City of London at War 1939–45 . Pen & Sword Military, 2020. www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/City-of-London-at-War-193945-Paperback/p/17299

Periodical MLA Bibliography Examples

Here’s the MLA style format for magazines, journals, and newspapers. For online articles, add the URL at the end of the listing:

For magazines and journals:

Last Name, First Name. “Title: Subtitle.” Name of Journal , volume number, issue number, Date of Publication, First Page Number–Last Page Number.

• Bell, Amy. “Landscapes of Fear: Wartime London, 1939–1945.” Journal of British Studies , vol. 48, no. 1, January 2009, pp. 153–175. www.jstor.org/stable/25482966

When citing newspapers, include the page number/s for print editions or the URL for online articles:

Last Name, First Name. “Title of article.” Newspaper title. Page number/s. Year, month day. Page number or URL

• Blakemore, Erin. “Researchers Track Down Two Copies of Fossil Destroyed by the Nazis.” The Washington Post. 2022, Nov. 12. www.washingtonpost.com/science/2022/11/12/ichthyosaur-fossil-images-discovered/

Electronic MLA Bibliography Examples

Last Name, First Name. Year. “Title.” Month Day, Year published. URL

• Wukovits, John. 2023. “A World War II Survivor Recalls the London Blitz.” January 30,   2023. https://britishheritage.com/history/world-war-ii-survivor-london-blitz

Website. n.d. “Title.” Accessed Day Month Year. URL.

• Imperial War Museum. n.d. “Growing Up in the Second World War.” Accessed May 9, 2023. www.iwm.org.uk/history/growing-up-in-the-second-world-war.

Here’s how to list YouTube and other online videos:

Creator, if available. “Title of Video.” Website. Uploaded by Username, Day Month Year. URL.

• “How did London survive the Blitz during WW2? | Cities at war: London | War stories.” YouTube . Uploaded by War Stories, 15 Jan. 2023. youtu.be/uwY6JlCvbxc.

For more information on writing MLA style bibliographies, see the MLA Style website.

MLA Bibliography (Works Cited) Example Pages

Source: The Visual Communication Guy

More MLA example pages:

• Writing Commons Sample Works Cited Page
• Scribbr MLA Works Cited Sample Page
• Montana State University MLA Works Cited Page

Chicago Manual of Style Bibliography Examples

The Chicago Manual of Style (sometimes called “Turabian”) actually has two options for citing reference material : Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. Regardless of which you use, you’ll need a complete detailed list of reference items at the end of your paper. The examples below demonstrate how to write that list.

How To Write a Bibliography Using The Chicago Manual of Style

Source: South Texas College

Here are some general notes on writing a Chicago -style bibliography:

• You may title it “Bibliography” or “References.” Center this title at the top of the page and add two blank lines before the first entry.
• Left-align each entry, with a hanging half-inch indent for subsequent lines of each entry.
• Single-space each entry, with a blank line between entries.
• Include the “http://” or “https://” at the beginning of URLs.

Books and E-Books Chicago Manual of Style Bibliography Examples

For books, Chicago -style reference list entries use the following format. (For print books, leave off the information about how the book was accessed.)

Last Name, First Name Middle Name. Title . City of Publication: Publisher, Date. How e-book was accessed.

• Wynn, Stephen. City of London at War 1939–45 . Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Military, 2020. Kindle edition.

Periodical Chicago Manual of Style Bibliography Examples

Here’s the style format for magazines, journals, and newspapers. For online articles, add the URL at the end of the listing.

For journal and magazine articles, use this format:

Last Name, First Name. Year of Publication. “Title: Subtitle.” Name of Journal , Volume Number, issue number, First Page Number–Last Page Number. URL.

• Bell, Amy. 2009. “Landscapes of Fear: Wartime London, 1939–1945.” Journal of British Studies, 48 no. 1, 153–175. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25482966.

When citing newspapers, include the URL for online articles:

Last Name, First Name. Year of Publication. “Title: Subtitle.” Name of Newspaper , Month day, year. URL.

• Blakemore, Erin. 2022. “Researchers Track Down Two Copies of Fossil Destroyed by the Nazis.” The Washington Post , November 12, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2022/11/12/ichthyosaur-fossil-images-discovered/.

Electronic Chicago Manual of Style Bibliography Examples

Last Name, First Name Middle Name. “Title.” Site Name . Year, Month Day. URL.

• Wukovits, John. “A World War II Survivor Recalls the London Blitz.” British Heritage. 2023, Jan. 30. britishheritage.com/history/world-war-ii-survivor-london-blitz.

“Title.” Site Name . URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

• “Growing Up in the Second World War.” Imperial War Museums . www.iwm.org.uk/history/growing-up-in-the-second-world-war. Accessed May 9, 2023.

Creator or Username. “Title of Video.” Website video, length. Month Day, Year. URL.

• War Stories. “How Did London Survive the Blitz During WW2? | Cities at War: London | War Stories.” YouTube video, 51:25. January 15, 2023. https://youtu.be/uwY6JlCvbxc.

For more information on writing Chicago -style bibliographies, see the Chicago Manual of Style website.

Chicago Manual of Style Bibliography Example Pages

Source: Chicago Manual of Style

More Chicago example pages:

• Scribbr Chicago Style Bibliography Example
• Purdue Online Writing Lab CMOS Bibliography Page
• Bibcitation Sample Chicago Bibliography

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Home » Organizing And Formatting A Bibliography For Kids

Organizing And Formatting A Bibliography For Kids

It can be difficult for children to organize and format a bibliography. But it’s a necessary skill for children to have in order to achieve success at school. A bibliography that is well-formatted and organized helps students to show their research skills and credit the original authors. This article will explain how to format and organize a kids’ bibliography.

List your sources

First, create a list for your child of all the sources they used to complete their research. Encourage your children to track all their sources, which includes books, articles and websites. This list can easily be made using different methods such as a notebook or index cards system.

Sorting the Sources

Once you've completed your list, sort the sources into categories. You can sort sources in many ways. For example, you can do it by author, subject, or type (e.g., book, article, web page). Sorting your sources will help you find them easier when creating a bibliography.

Bibliography format

The style of citation used will determine the format of your bibliography. MLA and APA are the most common citation formats for children. It’s important to choose a citation format that meets the requirements of the project. After selecting the style, make sure you follow the instructions carefully to format the bibliography correctly.

Include all information

Include all the necessary information when formatting your bibliography. The author&#39s name, the title, publisher, publication date, and page number are all necessary. Include the URL of electronic sources and the date you accessed them.

Alphabetize sources

Once you have included all your sources and they are formatted properly, it’s now time to alphabetize. This is done by arranging them alphabetically according to the last name. This step helps the reader find specific sources easier.

Use a consistent style

To ensure consistency, you should use the same style for all of your bibliographies. It is important to use the exact font, font size, spacing, etc. for every source. This also includes using the same citation style in all of your documents.

Double-check for errors

Be sure to double check for mistakes before submitting your bibliography. You should check for mistakes in punctuation or spelling. Encourage your child to carefully read the bibliography to find any errors.

It is important that kids learn how to format and organize a bibliography. These steps can help kids to create a bibliography that is well-formatted, organized and shows their research abilities. They also give credit for the original authors. Don’t forget to begin with a listing of sources. Sort the list into categories. Format your bibliography according the appropriate citation format. Include all information. This guide will help students create a great bibliography. It will impress teachers and show their dedication to research.

Elle Noble is a 33-year-old educational blogger, volunteer, and mother. She has been blogging for over a decade and has amassed a large following among educators and parents. She has written articles on a variety of topics, including education, parenting, and child development. She is also a regular contributor to the blog blog.com/ellenoble.

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Citation Guide

• What is a Citation?
• Citation Generator
• Chicago/Turabian Style
• Paraphrasing and Quoting
• Examples of Plagiarism

What is a Bibliography?

What is an annotated bibliography, introduction to the annotated bibliography.

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• the authors' names
• the titles of the works
• the names and locations of the companies that published your copies of the sources
• the dates your copies were published
• the page numbers of your sources (if they are part of multi-source volumes)

Ok, so what's an Annotated Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is the same as a bibliography with one important difference: in an annotated bibliography, the bibliographic information is followed by a brief description of the content, quality, and usefulness of the source. For more, see the section at the bottom of this page.

What are Footnotes?

Footnotes are notes placed at the bottom of a page. They cite references or comment on a designated part of the text above it. For example, say you want to add an interesting comment to a sentence you have written, but the comment is not directly related to the argument of your paragraph. In this case, you could add the symbol for a footnote. Then, at the bottom of the page you could reprint the symbol and insert your comment. Here is an example:

This is an illustration of a footnote. 1 The number “1” at the end of the previous sentence corresponds with the note below. See how it fits in the body of the text? 1 At the bottom of the page you can insert your comments about the sentence preceding the footnote.

When your reader comes across the footnote in the main text of your paper, he or she could look down at your comments right away, or else continue reading the paragraph and read your comments at the end. Because this makes it convenient for your reader, most citation styles require that you use either footnotes or endnotes in your paper. Some, however, allow you to make parenthetical references (author, date) in the body of your work.

Footnotes are not just for interesting comments, however. Sometimes they simply refer to relevant sources -- they let your reader know where certain material came from, or where they can look for other sources on the subject. To decide whether you should cite your sources in footnotes or in the body of your paper, you should ask your instructor or see our section on citation styles.

Where does the little footnote mark go?

Whenever possible, put the footnote at the end of a sentence, immediately following the period or whatever punctuation mark completes that sentence. Skip two spaces after the footnote before you begin the next sentence. If you must include the footnote in the middle of a sentence for the sake of clarity, or because the sentence has more than one footnote (try to avoid this!), try to put it at the end of the most relevant phrase, after a comma or other punctuation mark. Otherwise, put it right at the end of the most relevant word. If the footnote is not at the end of a sentence, skip only one space after it.

What's the difference between Footnotes and Endnotes?

The only real difference is placement -- footnotes appear at the bottom of the relevant page, while endnotes all appear at the end of your document. If you want your reader to read your notes right away, footnotes are more likely to get your reader's attention. Endnotes, on the other hand, are less intrusive and will not interrupt the flow of your paper.

If I cite sources in the Footnotes (or Endnotes), how's that different from a Bibliography?

Sometimes you may be asked to include these -- especially if you have used a parenthetical style of citation. A "works cited" page is a list of all the works from which you have borrowed material. Your reader may find this more convenient than footnotes or endnotes because he or she will not have to wade through all of the comments and other information in order to see the sources from which you drew your material. A "works consulted" page is a complement to a "works cited" page, listing all of the works you used, whether they were useful or not.

Isn't a "works consulted" page the same as a "bibliography," then?

Well, yes. The title is different because "works consulted" pages are meant to complement "works cited" pages, and bibliographies may list other relevant sources in addition to those mentioned in footnotes or endnotes. Choosing to title your bibliography "Works Consulted" or "Selected Bibliography" may help specify the relevance of the sources listed.

This information has been freely provided by plagiarism.org and can be reproduced without the need to obtain any further permission as long as the URL of the original article/information is cited. 

How Do I Cite Sources? (n.d.) Retrieved October 19, 2009, from http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_how_do_i_cite_sources.html

The Importance of an Annotated Bibliography

An Annotated Bibliography is a collection of annotated citations. These annotations contain your executive notes on a source. Use the annotated bibliography to help remind you of later of the important parts of an article or book. Putting the effort into making good notes will pay dividends when it comes to writing a paper!

Good Summary

Being an executive summary, the annotated citation should be fairly brief, usually no more than one page, double spaced.

• Focus on summarizing the source in your own words.
• Avoid direct quotations from the source, at least those longer than a few words. However, if you do quote, remember to use quotation marks. You don't want to forget later on what is your own summary and what is a direct quotation!
• If an author uses a particular term or phrase that is important to the article, use that phrase within quotation marks. Remember that whenever you quote, you must explain the meaning and context of the quoted word or text. 

Common Elements of an Annotated Citation

• Summary of an Article or Book's thesis or most important points (Usually two to four sentences)
• Summary of a source's methodological approach. That is, what is the source? How does it go about proving its point(s)? Is it mostly opinion based? If it is a scholarly source, describe the research method (study, etc.) that the author used. (Usually two to five sentences)
• Your own notes and observations on the source beyond the summary. Include your initial analysis here. For example, how will you use this source? Perhaps you would write something like, "I will use this source to support my point about . . . "
• Formatting Annotated Bibliographies This guide from Purdue OWL provides examples of an annotated citation in MLA and APA formats.

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• Last Updated: May 16, 2024 2:35 PM
• URL: https://libguides.limestone.edu/citation

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bibliography

[ bib-lee- og -r uh -fee ]

• a complete or selective list of works compiled upon some common principle, as authorship, subject, place of publication, or printer.
• a list of source materials that are used or consulted in the preparation of a work or that are referred to in the text.
• a branch of library science dealing with the history, physical description, comparison, and classification of books and other works.

/ ˌbɪblɪəʊˈɡræfɪk; ˌbɪblɪˈɒɡrəfɪ /

• a list of books or other material on a subject
• a list of sources used in the preparation of a book, thesis, etc
• a list of the works of a particular author or publisher
• the study of the history, classification, etc, of literary material
• a work on this subject
• A list of the written sources of information on a subject. Bibliographies generally appear as a list at the end of a book or article. They may show what works the author used in writing the article or book, or they may list works that a reader might find useful.

Discover More

Derived forms.

• ˌbiblioˈgraphically , adverb
• ˌbibliˈographer , noun
• bibliographic , adjective

Other Words From

• bib·li·o·graph·ic [ bib-lee-, uh, -, graf, -ik ] , bibli·o·graphi·cal adjective
• bibli·o·graphi·cal·ly adverb
• mini·bibli·ogra·phy noun plural minibibliographies

Word History and Origins

Origin of bibliography 1

Example Sentences

He’s toyed with Collatz for about fifty years and become keeper of the knowledge, compiling annotated bibliographies and editing a book on the subject, “The Ultimate Challenge.”

Some readers might prefer more background science for each question — for a book that aims to crush pseudoscience, a bibliography or at least footnotes would have been useful.

Kalb makes the disclaimer in his preface that “memoirs, by definition, are not works of history — no footnotes, no bibliography.”

Otlet began modestly in the 1890s, creating a bibliography of sociological literature.

Lop off the endnotes and bibliography, and The Measure of Manhattan is barely 300 pages.

Tyler does not provide us with a bibliography, although his extensive notes include many books on Israel and its neighbors.

For full bibliography (to 1904) see Ulysse Chevalier, Rpertoire des sources hist.

Punctuation has been normalized for the stage directions and the play listings in the Bibliography.

Within six months, if you're not sandbagged or jailed on fake libel suits, you'll have a unique bibliography of swindles.

There is a very inadequate bibliography in the Introduction.

His ample bibliography leaves no point necessary for elucidation untouched.

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of bibliography in English

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bibliography noun ( LIST OF BOOKS )

• She has included a bibliography so that readers can refer to the primary sources .
• The extensive bibliography provides ample guidance for readers who want to make a deeper study of the subject .
• Most books on art materials and techniques also include excellent bibliographies for further reading .
• The centre has compiled a bibliography of scientific research on meditation .
• The authors provide bibliographies of the poets ' works and lists of useful , up-to-date anthologies and criticism .
• acknowledgment
• acknowledgments phrase
• bibliographical
• bibliographically
• non-biographical

bibliography noun ( STUDY OF BOOKS )

• He catalogued books for the booksellers Pearson & Co. and lectured in bibliography at Cambridge University.
• In the early 1930s he turned his attention towards bibliography, and became a lecturer at the London School of Librarianship.

Related word

Bibliography | american dictionary, examples of bibliography, translations of bibliography.

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a long trip or holiday taken by car

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How Does Bibliotherapy Work?

How Stories Can Provide Real Comfort

Sara Lindberg, M.Ed., is a freelance writer focusing on mental health, fitness, nutrition, and parenting. 

Karen Cilli is a fact-checker for Verywell Mind. She has an extensive background in research, with 33 years of experience as a reference librarian and educator.

• Effectiveness

Things to Consider

How to get started.

Bibliotherapy is a form of creative arts therapy that uses literature to help you improve your life by providing information, support, and guidance through reading books and stories. Books and other written material can influence human emotions and provide wisdom, emotional connection, insight, and comfort. 

When dealing with conditions such as anxiety and depression or coping with grief , sometimes it can be challenging to make sense of what is happening in your mind and body, especially if you don’t have any other experience to compare it to. Bibliotherapy is a way to help bridge this gap.

At a Glance

Books, stories, and other forms of literature can be a powerful tool for understanding our own experiences. Bibliotherapy, sometimes known as reading therapy, book therapy, or therapeutic storytelling, can help you build greater empathy, insight, and self-compassion by exploring stories that relate to your experiences. Such readings can also help spark conversations with your therapist, fostering greater personal growth. If you think this type of therapy might be right for you, keep reading to learn more about how it works and how it can help.

Understanding Bibliotherapy

The concept of reading as a way to help facilitate the healing process and meet therapeutic goals is a common strategy in many treatment approaches. So what separates bibliotherapy from other established theories of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ?

What makes bibliotherapy different is the fact that a therapist will typically view bibliotherapy as a therapeutic approach, and therefore, use it as an adjunct part of the treatment process.

Since bibliotherapy is often used to support other forms of therapy , it is appropriate for both individual and group settings and for people of all ages. It’s common to see a therapist use stories when working with a younger client such as a child or adolescent.

When used in a group therapy setting, bibliotherapy allows participants to give and receive feedback about their interpretations of the literature and how it relates to their issues. It also helps improve communication and encourages more in-depth conversations and connections for participants. 

Types of Bibliotherapy

There are a number of types of bibliotherapy that can be used in clinical and educational settings as well as at home.

• Creative bibliotherapy , which often takes place in a group setting, with stories, poems, and fiction read and discussed by the group
• Developmental bibliotherapy , which is used in educational settings as well as by parents to explain childhood and adolescent issues like puberty or bullying
• Prescriptive bibliotherapy , which uses self-help books either in a clinical setting or at home to help modify thought patterns, feelings, and actions
• Therapeutic bibliography , which is used in combination with other types of therapy to manage psychological issues

Bibliotherapy Techniques

If bibliotherapy sounds like a good fit, you might be wondering how a therapist uses this tool during a counseling session. Sam Gladding, PhD , a professor at  Wake Forest University's Online Master’s in Counseling and Human Services program  who specializes in creativity in counseling describes bibliotherapy as a dynamic three-way interaction involving the use of a book, a counselor, and a client.

The counselor and the client consider problems or stress areas in the client's life; then the counselor 'prescribes' a book or story for the client to read. 

Gladding points out that it’s crucial that the book or story relates directly to the client's difficulty so that they identify with the protagonist in the novel or story. The counselor and client then come back together to talk about the way the protagonist handled their problems and the applicability of the solution or solutions in the book to the client's situation. 

Licensed marriage and family therapist, Chad Perman, MA, LMFT, of New Page Therapy agrees: "Typically, therapists will use bibliotherapy to assign clients specific books to read outside of the session," he says. This strategy, says Perman, can help facilitate empathy , insight, conversation, and self-growth.

Most therapists trained in bibliotherapy will have a list of books that relate to different issues. There are also several sites and databases online that give suggested or recommended titles based on a particular concern or mental health issue.

What Bibliotherapy Can Help With

While reading, in general, is beneficial to just about everybody, Perman says targeted bibliotherapy can be specifically useful for the following issues:

• Eating disorders
• Existential concerns such as loneliness , meaninglessness, freedom, and death
• Relationship issues
• Substance use

Gladding adds that bibliotherapy may also be helpful for managing anger, socially inappropriate behavior, and shyness . "Issues regarding how to handle grief , rejection , or almost any of the negative 'isms' such as racism, sexism, ageism , may also be addressed through bibliotherapy," says Gladding. 

Benefits of Bibliotherapy

When using bibliotherapy, a therapist might choose a self-help reference such as a workbook of calming exercises for a person with anxiety. Or, they may select a story with a fictional character that is dealing with grief and trauma from losing a loved one for a client who recently experienced a death in the family.

Through stories in fiction and nonfiction books, poetry, plays, short stories, and self-help materials, a therapist can help you gain a deeper understanding of the concerns that brought you into counseling sessions in the first place. 

Gain Personal Insight

Bibliotherapy helps you to gain insight into the personal challenges you’re dealing with and develop strategies to address the most concerning issues. It can also help promote problem-solving, understanding, and self-awareness .

Receive Benefits Outside of Treatment

Agreeing on a book to read in-between sessions gives the therapist a format for assigning homework outside of treatment. This approach can help deepen the meaning of a therapeutic session and facilitate greater learning. Another way a therapist can use bibliotherapy, says Gladding, is through a prevention model, which can help people learn ways of coping with life's challenges.

Gain Perspective

One of the more compelling reasons for using bibliotherapy is that it can help you see how other people, such as characters in a book, address and deal with similar issues. When you identify with a fictional or non-fictional character, especially on an emotional level, you're able to see that there are others who are also navigating and coping with personal struggles. 

To make this connection to a story even stronger, and help normalize the treatment process, a therapist can choose a book with a character who is seeking help for the interpersonal or intrapersonal challenges the patient is facing. 

Effectiveness of Bibliotherapy

Studies show that bibliotherapy can by useful in the treatment of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more.

A systematic review found bibliotherapy to be an effective long-term treatment for adults with mild depression. After follow-up periods ranging from three months to three years, six adults showed a decrease in depressive symptoms.

Eating Disorders

An online survey found self-help bibliotherapy to be more effective than fiction about eating disorders which was perceived by participants as detrimental to their mood, self-esteem, body image, and diet and exercise habits.

Child Behavior

Creative bibliotherapy has been found to be effective in helping children, ages 5 to 16, with internalizing behaviors (anxiety and depression), externalizing behavior (aggression), and prosocial behavior (behavior intentions and attitudes toward others).

Anxiety and Stress

One study in college students found that 10 weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction bibliotherapy resulted in a significant decrease in anxiety, stress, perceived stress, and anxiety sensitivity as well as an increase in overall quality of life.

A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that bibliotherapy has the potential to be a beneficial non-pharmacological tool for promoting positive effects in people's lives.

While bibliotherapy can benefit people of all ages with a vast range of needs, it will only be effective if you’re willing to read and share. In general, bibliotherapy is not recommended if you or someone you love:

• Is experiencing psychosis and is unable to distinguish reality from fantasy
• Has limited intellectual ability or attention span
• Does not enjoy reading

The books that your therapist suggests may also vary depending on your needs and preferences. For example, if you dislike reading fiction books, your therapist might recommend non-fiction stories or therapeutic workbooks.

Certain types of books and literature should be avoided in bibliotherapy. This includes propaganda and misleading information that promotes harmful, destructive, or false beliefs.

When searching for a therapist who incorporates bibliotherapy into their treatment sessions, the first place to look is online. You can search this specialty by Googling bibliotherapy + your city. For example, "bibliotherapy + Seattle." 

In addition to training in bibliotherapy, make sure to check for other credentials and titles such as LMFT, LCSW, PsyD, PhD, psychotherapist, and licensed professional counselor (LPC) when conducting your search.

These credentials, along with many others, indicate that the person has the education and proper certifications or licenses to practice in your state. 

Perman says if you're looking for a therapist with more formal training in bibliotherapy, you can find a directory of providers on the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy website.

There are a number of professionals from many helping disciplines that belong to The National Association for Poetry Therapy , according to Gladding. He says this group uses the word "poetry" broadly to mean any written word. An excellent place to start is by looking at their website and publications.

Additionally, checking Google Scholar and other academic sources may yield scholars who are also counselors and can either help directly or recommend others who can. 

Bibliotherapy can be a helpful tool for gaining insight into the challenges you are facing. It can be something your therapist uses to spark conversations about your experiences and how to cope. It's also something you might try on your own by reading novels, self-help books, or therapeutic workbooks that focus on the specific issues you are experiencing. If it sounds right for your, look online to find a bibliotherapist in your area who can provide further guidance.

Suvilehto P, Kerry-Moran KJ, Aerila J-A. Supporting children’s social and emotional growth through developmental bibliotherapy . In: Kerry-Moran KJ, Aerila J-A, eds.  Story in Children’s Lives: Contributions of the Narrative Mode to Early Childhood Development, Literacy, and Learning . Vol 16. Springer International Publishing; 2019:299-314. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-19266-2_15

Gualano MR, Bert F, Martorana M, et al. The long-term effects of bibliotherapy in depression treatment: Systematic review of randomized clinical trials .  Clinical Psychology Review . 2017;58:49-58. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.09.006

Troscianko ET. Literary reading and eating disorders: Survey evidence of therapeutic help and harm .  J Eat Disord . 2018;6(1):8. doi:10.1186/s40337-018-0191-5

Montgomery P, Maunders K. The effectiveness of creative bibliotherapy for internalizing, externalizing, and prosocial behaviors in children: A systematic review .  Children and Youth Services Review . 2015;55:37-47. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.05.010

Hazlett-Stevens H, Oren Y. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction bibliotherapy: A preliminary randomized controlled trial: MBSR bibliotherapy .  J Clin Psychol . 2017;73(6):626-637. doi:10.1002/jclp.22370

Monroy-Fraustro D, Maldonado-Castellanos I, Aboites-Molina M, et al. Bibliotherapy as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to enhance mental health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods systematic review and bioethical meta-analysis .  Front Public Health . 2021;9:629872. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.629872

Mehdizadeh M, Khosravi Z. An inquiry into the effectiveness of bibliotherapy for children with intellectual disability .  Int J Dev Disabil . 2018;65(4):285-292. doi:10.1080/20473869.2018.1466509

By Sara Lindberg, M.Ed Sara Lindberg, M.Ed., is a freelance writer focusing on mental health, fitness, nutrition, and parenting.

Students who miss too much school could be sent to juvenile detention under this new bill

A bill that passed the House Education Committee Wednesday could give authorities the power to investigate and send to juvenile detention Rhode Island public-school students who are chronically absent.

Why it matters: The state Department of Education has been cracking down on chronic absences from school with a media campaign urging kids to attend school and regular shout-outs to schools with the highest attendance rates by Gov. Dan McKee.

But state law doesn't currently define what it means to be chronically absent.

What's in the legislation?

The Attendance for Success Act would add those definitions to existing state law, including:

• Absence (missing at least half a school day)
• Chronic absence (missing 18 or more school days)

It would also:

• Add requirements for tracking attendance and creating attendance improvement plans
• Provide guidance on what to do when a student isn’t coming to school, and intervention isn’t working

The bill directs schools to start with notifying parents, scheduling meeting and using nonpunitive measures.

If that fails, the district “shall report the excessively absent student to its truant officer for an investigation as to whether the student should be considered to be a wayward child” or needing family services.

What is a 'wayward' child? State law allows them to be detained.

Under state law , “wayward” may apply to a variety of children:

• Those “leading an immoral or vicious life”
• Those breaking the law
• Those missing school

Wayward children may be sent to the Rhode Island Training School, a juvenile correctional facility, until they turn 19.

Reached for comment on the potentially severe consequences of the bill, state Department of Education spokesman Victor Morente said "the goal is to create supportive learning environments that promote good attendance."

Morente added that the bill contains "extensive steps aimed to prevent and intervene" in absences before a truancy officer is involved.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joseph McNamara and seven other lawmakers.

How widespread is chronic absenteeism this year?

According to the latest data from the Department of Education, 28,653 students have been marked chronically absent for the 2023-2024 school year.

That's 20% of public school students, and most of them were also chronically absent last year, showing that missing school becomes a habit.

Rep. David Morales, raising concerns over the bill during Wednesday's committee meeting, said it could lead to children "being criminalized."

"In other words we have 28,000-plus students who can technically be labeled a wayward child and can technically be sent to the training school as a result of this legislation," Morales said.

Providence has the highest chronic absenteeism rate by far, followed by Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Warwick and Cranston, all of which are far lower in chronic absences compared with the capital city.