As any college or high school student knows, good research papers need documented sources. Depending on the discipline one is writing for, different methods are available for documenting sources. The MLA (Modern Language Association) format is expected for most papers written in humanities disciplines, including English classes.
MLA formatting demands that a writer document his sources both in-text (attributing information to its source within the essay) and in a bibliography at the end of the paper, known as a Works Cited page. Even when a writer is familiar with how a Works Cited page is put together, the task can be intimidating and even overwhelming. But here are resources available to the frustrated writer.
Bibliography Help in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Office Word 2007 has bibliography assistance built into the newest version of this software. Using the References tab, a writer can receive assistance both with in-text citations and listing the sources in a Works Cited page. Students need to be sure to choose MLA-style formatting and then choose the type of source.
One drawback with using Word's formatting is that an instructor might request that the student make some changes if the Works Cited page isn't exactly up to his specifications. Students will want to double-check with their instructors before turning in a bibliography for a grade. If any changes need to be made, chances are they will be minor, as Word will still have done most of the work.
Website Help at EasyBib
EasyBib is an "automatic bibliography and citation maker," but the good news is it's free to anyone who has internet access. Obviously, Microsoft Word is software that one has to pay for; EasyBib does not cost when one wants to use it for MLA formatting.
One feature that makes EasyBib fun and interesting is the "Autocite!" button. A user can punch in the ISBN of a book or the URL of a website and click "Autocite!" Easybib creates the entire citation. EasyBib also claims to be the "only citation service offering MLA 7th edition."
The only "danger" of a service such as this one is that it makes creating a bibliography so easy that a student may never fully understand what goes into a Works Cited page.
Long Island University
LIU features a web page on MLA Citation Style. This website won't create a Works Cited page for students, but it does make formatting sources relatively simple. The web page has color coded different parts of what make up a citation, such as authors, titles, publishers, etc. So while it may not automatically put together a bibliography, students will learn on their own how to write their Works Cited page.
The Finishing Touch
The bibliography is, perhaps, the most important element of one's research paper. A Works Cited page gives one's paper authority and credibility, and it also gives one's readers places to read for more information. Without one, a writer's paper may seem a little less believable.
Related article: MLA-Formatted Works Cited Page for an Essay
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
