In MLA style, the source list is titled “Works Cited,” not “Bibliography,” unless your assignment asks for a bibliography.
You’re not alone if this question pops up right as you’re polishing a paper. Teachers use different words, and a lot of templates blur terms. MLA is steady: when you list the sources you used in your writing, that page is Works Cited.
Still, some assignments say “bibliography.” That usually points to a broader list than the sources you quoted or paraphrased. Below, you’ll see how to tell which list you need, what to title it, and how to format it so it looks clean.
Works Cited Vs Bibliography At A Glance
| What Your Teacher Wants | What You Put On The List | What To Title The Page In MLA |
|---|---|---|
| A standard MLA research paper | Only sources you used in the writing (quoted, paraphrased, summarized) | Works Cited |
| A reading response with citations | Texts you cite in your response (book, article, handout, site) | Works Cited |
| An annotated bibliography assignment | Sources plus short notes under each entry (per your class directions) | Annotated Bibliography |
| A rubric that says “bibliography” | Either used sources only, or used sources plus extra reading (check the rubric line) | Match the rubric label |
| A paper using a library database | Items you cite in the paper, even if accessed through a database | Works Cited |
| A project with images or interviews | Any material you reference in the final text or captions | Works Cited |
| A “used and read” requirement | Two lists, or one combined list, based on your directions | Use the labels in your prompt |
| A class using “bibliography” as a catch-all word | Usually just the final sources list | Use the label your teacher expects |
Is MLA Works Cited Or Bibliography?
MLA calls the ending list the Works Cited page. It includes each source you used in your paper, with enough detail for a reader to locate it. If you didn’t use a source in the writing, it doesn’t belong on a standard Works Cited list.
“Bibliography” is a broader word people use in everyday school talk. In some classes, it means “everything I read while working on the topic.” In other classes, it means “the final list of sources,” no matter the style. That’s why your assignment sheet matters more than a general rule of thumb.
If your instructor writes “bibliography” but your paper uses MLA in-text citations like (Author 23), the end page is usually titled Works Cited. When you’re stuck, match the label used in your course sample or rubric, since that’s what the grader is aiming at.
MLA Works Cited And Bibliography Differences For Class Papers
What “Works Cited” Means In MLA
In MLA, a Works Cited list is a record of the sources that show up in your paper. If you quote, paraphrase, or summarize a source, that source belongs on the list. The Works Cited page is tightly tied to your in-text citations.
Think of it as the paper’s receipts. A reader should be able to trace any borrowed idea back to a full entry at the end.
What “Bibliography” Usually Means In Class
In school, “bibliography” can mean:
- A list of sources you used (even when the class uses MLA).
- A list of used sources plus extra reading.
- An assignment genre, like an annotated bibliography.
Since the word shifts across classes, follow the document you’re graded against: the prompt, the rubric, or a teacher sample. If the rubric has a row called “Bibliography,” some teachers want that word as the page title.
Why The Labels Get Mixed Up
Students learn citation styles in pieces. One class uses MLA, another uses APA, and another just says “add a bibliography.” Add citation generators that label everything the same way, and the mix-ups make sense.
How To Pick The Right Page Title
Use The Inclusion Rule
If the list includes only sources you used in the writing, title it Works Cited. If the list must include extra reading that never appears in your paper, your teacher may call it a bibliography.
Mirror What Your Class Shows
If your instructor posted a sample or slideshow, copy its label. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Teachers often grade formatting by matching what they’ve shown.
When The Rubric Uses The Word Bibliography
Some instructors treat “bibliography” as the category name on the rubric, even in an MLA unit. If your rubric has a checkbox or points line that says “Bibliography,” match that label so the grader sees what they expect at a glance.
You can still keep MLA formatting for the entries unless the prompt says to switch styles. The page title is one decision; the entry format is another. Keeping them separate saves time on revisions.
Works Cited Formatting That Graders Notice
Once the label is set, formatting is the next win. Most rubrics focus on placement, spacing, order, and entry details. Hit those and your list looks intentional.
Core Layout Rules
- Start the Works Cited on a new page at the end of the paper.
- Center the title: Works Cited.
- Double-space the whole page, including between entries.
- Use a hanging indent for each entry: first line flush left, next lines indented.
- Alphabetize by the first word of each entry (often the author’s last name).
For MLA’s own layout notes and entry models, see the MLA Style Center’s Works Cited quick guide.
In Google Docs, select the list, then set a hanging indent (often 0.5 in). In Word, open Paragraph settings and choose a hanging indent. Then set double-spacing for the whole page.
Also check the title line. Works Cited is centered plain text. No bold. No underline.
Details That Cause Lost Points
- Title casing: Book and journal titles use title case. Article titles use quotation marks.
- Italics: Long works like books, websites, and journals are italicized.
- Containers: If a work sits inside a larger work (an article inside a journal), MLA often lists both layers.
- Dates: Use the date shown on the source when it’s available.
- URLs or DOIs: Use a stable URL or DOI when you have one.
How To Build A Works Cited Entry Step By Step
MLA entries get easier when you follow a fixed order: author, title, container, date, location. Your goal is simple: give enough detail for someone else to find the same source.
Step 1: Capture The Basics While You Research
Write down author names, titles, the site or journal name, publisher, date, and page numbers when they exist. If you used a database, note the database name too.
Step 2: Add The Title With The Right Formatting
Use quotation marks for short works like articles, web pages, and chapters. Italicize long works like books, websites, films, and journals.
Step 3: Name The Container
The container is the larger place where the work lives. An article lives inside a journal. A chapter lives inside a book. A video lives on a platform. Naming the container helps the reader locate your item.
Step 4: Finish With Date And Location
Date is the publication date when available. Location can be page numbers, a DOI, or a URL. Different sources use different pieces, so don’t panic when entries look different.
If you want a second classroom-friendly reference, Purdue OWL’s MLA Works Cited page format shows a sample page and spacing basics.
Step 5: Proof Each Entry Against The Source
Before you call it done, open each source and compare what you wrote to what you see. Check spelling of names, the exact title wording, and the date on the page or PDF. Fixing one wrong letter in an author name can save you from a messy mismatch with your in-text citations.
Common Source Types And What To Record
Before you type entries, collect the details you’ll need. This table lists the pieces that usually show up for common sources.
| Source Type | Details To Collect | Notes That Save Time |
|---|---|---|
| Book (print) | Author, book title, publisher, year | Note edition or volume if listed |
| Chapter in an edited book | Chapter title, book title, editor, publisher, year, pages | Chapter in quotes; book in italics |
| Journal article | Author, article title, journal title, volume/issue, year, pages, DOI/URL | DOI beats a long tracking URL |
| News article (web) | Author, page title, site name, date, URL | Use the date shown on the article page |
| Website page (no author) | Page title, site name, date, URL | Start with the title if no author is named |
| Video (online) | Uploader, video title, platform, date, URL | Use the uploader name shown on the page |
| Class handout or interview | Title or person, date, format details | Follow teacher directions for unpublished class items |
Alphabetizing And Matching In-Text Citations
Your Works Cited and in-text citations should line up. If you cite (Smith 44), the Works Cited needs an entry that begins with Smith. If there’s no author and you cite a shortened title, the Works Cited entry should begin with that title.
Organizations, No Authors, And Repeat Authors
If an organization wrote the page, list the organization name as the author and alphabetize by that name. If there’s no author, start the entry with the title and alphabetize by the first meaningful word of that title.
When one author has multiple works, keep the entries grouped and then sort by title. Some classes allow three hyphens in place of the repeated author name after the first entry, while other classes want the name repeated. Follow your course rule and keep spacing consistent.
If you’re asking yourself, “is mla works cited or bibliography?” while editing, run this quick check: pick three in-text citations and confirm each one points to a clear entry on the last page.
When “Bibliography” Can Still Be Correct
“Bibliography” can be the right title when your assignment asks for a broader list than the sources you used in the writing. That often happens with annotated bibliography tasks, background reading lists, or early project stages that track reading.
If your directions say “Bibliography,” use that title so your work matches the prompt. Then format entries with MLA patterns unless your class says otherwise.
Fast Fixes Before You Submit
- Check the heading: “Works Cited” is the standard MLA wording.
- Keep spacing steady: Double-spacing and hanging indents should be consistent.
- Scan each entry: A reader should be able to locate the source with what you wrote.
- Proof citation tools: Generators help, but they miss details and they mis-capitalize titles.
Final Takeaway
Most of the time, the answer to “is mla works cited or bibliography?” is simple: MLA uses Works Cited for the list of sources you used in your paper. Use “Bibliography” only when your assignment asks for a broader list or a bibliography-style task. Match the label your teacher grades for, keep formatting tidy, and your last page will look at home.