What Is Works Cited? Definition, Examples & Tips
Clear Definition
"What is works cited" is a common question for students and writers. A Works Cited page is an alphabetical list of sources you directly referenced in a paper, typically following MLA (Modern Language Association) style guidelines.
It differs from a bibliography in that Works Cited includes only items you actually cited in the text. Entries provide enough information for readers to locate the original sources—author, title, publication, date, and format.
Examples
Here are concrete, MLA-style examples showing how items appear on a Works Cited page. Each entry should use a hanging indent and be double-spaced.
Book: Smith, John. The Ecology of Cities. Greenleaf Press, 2019.
Journal article: Lee, Maria. "Urban Trees and Air Quality." Journal of Environmental Health, vol. 12, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45–61.
Website: "Climate Data Portal." National Climate Archive, 14 Feb. 2021, www.nationalclimate.org/data-portal.
Actionable tip: Use a citation generator like Rephrasely's Citation Generator to format these entries automatically and avoid small formatting errors: https://rephrasely.com/citation.
Common Errors
- Including sources you did not cite in the paper—Works Cited should list only directly referenced works.
- Incorrect order—entries must be alphabetized by the author's last name (or by title if no author).
- Formatting mistakes—missing hanging indents, wrong punctuation, or incorrect abbreviations are frequent.
- Mixing citation styles—don’t combine MLA Works Cited with APA References or Chicago bibliography formatting.
- Incomplete entries—omitting page numbers, publication dates, or URLs prevents readers from finding the source.
Quick fix: run entries through a citation tool and then cross-check a style guide or use Rephrasely’s citation generator to standardize your list.
Related Terms
- Bibliography: A broader list that may include works consulted but not directly cited. Often used in Chicago or other styles.
- References: The term used by APA style; similar function to Works Cited but follows APA formatting rules.
- In-text citation: Short citations placed inside the body of your text that point to full entries on the Works Cited page.
- Hanging indent: A paragraph format where the first line is flush left and subsequent lines are indented—required on MLA Works Cited entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Works Cited for every paper?
Yes, whenever you quote, paraphrase, or refer to another person's ideas, include a Works Cited page listing those sources. If you used no outside sources, indicate that by checking your assignment guidelines—some instructors prefer a short note saying "No sources used."
Can I include sources I read but didn’t cite?
No. A Works Cited page should contain only sources you explicitly referenced in the text. If you want to list background reading or further reading, use a separate bibliography section if your instructor allows it.
How can I check my Works Cited for errors quickly?
Use a reliable citation generator and then verify entries manually. Rephrasely’s Citation Generator formats entries for you, and tools like the plagiarism checker, AI writer (Composer), and AI detector can help you ensure proper attribution and clear writing before submission.