Bibliography Format

The term bibliography format is used to describe the format or style, in which the author of an article - or an academic essay in our case - lists the sources used during the writing process. The bibliography section of the paper is usually put at the very last page. Whenever you write an essay or term paper (or any other type of academic assignment), you typically turn to outside materials for reference. And the main purpose of the bibliography section is to accurately list the sources in the bibliography format required by the professor.

Various titles for bibliography format

Typically, this last section is called Bibliography, like shown in the paper format page, however, it may also be called Works cited or simply Sources. The title given to the bibliography section depends mostly on the requirements of your instructor. Typically, the title given to the section does not matter much; it is the contents of the page (or rather the format in which the content is presented) that matters.

Major bibliography formats

There are two main types of bibliography format, which are MLA and APA. During your academic years, you are most likely to use just these two bibliography formats. MLA stands for Modern Language Association and APA stands for American Psychological Association. These and other bibliography formats are explained in the essay writing tips page, but let us review them again.

MLA bibliography format

MLA is the most widely used bibliography format. It is used in nearly all academic subjects. To be more precise, it is used in humanities, literature, and art. You should arrange your sources alphabetically by authors. If no author is given, start with the title of the source. And remember to abbreviate all months. Here is how a source cited in MLA bibliography format would look like:

Priestley, Sean and Neely, Adaline. "Bibliography format." NeWavEssays writing tips. NeWavEssays. 18, May, 2008. <>

For a much more detailed information on MLA bibliography format, go to Cornell Library page.

APA bibliography format

Most often, if you are not using MLA style, then you are using APA. APA is used in social sciences and psychology. Just like with MLA bibliography format, arrange your sources alphabetically by authors. Abbreviate months as well. However, remember to use only initials for authors' first and middle names. Here is now the same source would look in APA bibliography format:

Priestley, S. and Neely, A. (2008). Bibliography format. NeWavEssays writing tips. From NeWavEssays. Website:

For a much more detailed guide of APA bibliography format, go to Cornell Library.

Other bibliography formats

If you are intrested in some other bibliography format (although you are less likely to need it for your school), please proceed and get acquainted with AMA, Chicago, and Turabian bibliography format.

For additional information, please go to the essay writing tips page.

With us, bibliography page is free

Remember, whenever you order custom essays with us, the bibliography page is provided for free, regardless of which bibliography format you choose.