Work Cited vs. Works Cited – Which is Correct?
When referring to an MLA bibliography, “Works Cited” is correct because it lists multiple sources or works cited in your paper. “Work cited” is grammatically possible only when discussing one cited work, not the standard page heading. Use “Works Cited” as the standard title for an MLA source list page.
Work Cited or Works Cited – Which is Correct?
Both work cited and works cited are grammatically valid, but they serve different purposes. Works Cited is the correct heading for an MLA page containing the sources referenced in an essay. The plural works reflects the fact that the page usually includes several books, articles, websites, or other sources.
Work cited refers to one individual work that has been cited. For example, “The work cited in the second paragraph is a historical biography.” It is not normally used as the heading of an MLA bibliography unless the list contains only one source, which would be unusual.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the number test: if you are naming a page that lists several sources, choose Works Cited. If you are talking about one specific source, choose work cited. You can also remember that MLA pages usually collect many “works,” so the heading ends in s.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| work cited | Noun phrase | One source or creation that has been referenced | The work cited supports the author’s argument. |
| Works Cited | Plural noun phrase; document heading | An MLA list of sources referenced in a paper | Add the article to your Works Cited page. |
How to Use Work Cited
Work cited is a singular noun phrase. Use it when referring to one book, article, film, website, artwork, or other source that appears in an academic discussion. It is appropriate in formal and casual contexts, although academic writing often uses the more precise phrase the cited work or identifies the source by its title.
Do not use work cited as the usual heading for a complete MLA bibliography. A heading in the singular would suggest that the page contains only one source.
Example 1: The work cited in this paragraph was published by a university press.
Example 2: This work cited an earlier study of language change.
Example 3: The researcher examined the work cited by several historians.
What are the different forms of work cited?
The phrase changes according to number and sentence structure. Use work cited for one source and works cited for more than one source when the phrase appears within a sentence. The word cited is the past-tense and past-participle form of cite. Related forms include cite, cites, cited, and citing.
Etymology of the phrase work cited
Work comes from the Old English word weorc, meaning an act, deed, labor, or product of labor. Cite comes through French from the Latin citare, meaning “to call” or “summon.” In academic English, a cited work is a source called upon as evidence or authority.
Because cite and sight are often confused in academic writing, review Cite vs. Sight before finalizing your references.
How to Use Works Cited
Works Cited is the standard title for the final source-list page in an MLA-formatted paper. It identifies the books, articles, webpages, films, and other works directly referenced in the essay. The heading is typically centered at the top of the page, without quotation marks, underlining, or bold formatting unless a particular instructor or style guide requires otherwise.
The phrase may also appear within a sentence. In that context, lowercase works cited means multiple sources that have been referenced. The capitalization is generally reserved for the formal page heading.
Example 1: The essay ends with a carefully formatted Works Cited page.
Example 2: Check the Works Cited entry for the author’s publication date.
Example 3: Several works cited in the introduction examine the same historical event.
What are the different forms of Works Cited?
Works Cited is the plural form used as an MLA heading. In ordinary sentences, use work cited for one source and works cited for multiple sources. The phrase can also be modified by possessives or determiners, as in the works cited, all works cited, or the work cited.
Etymology of the phrase Works Cited
Works Cited combines the plural noun works with the past participle cited. In this context, works means intellectual or creative productions, such as books, essays, films, songs, and webpages. The phrase developed as a concise description of sources cited in scholarly writing.
Related Concepts
Understanding number, capitalization, and citation styles makes the distinction between work cited and Works Cited easier to apply.
- Singular and plural nouns: Work refers to one source, while works refers to two or more sources. The plural form is why MLA uses Works Cited for a typical source list.
- MLA citation style: MLA uses Works Cited as the heading for sources directly referenced in a paper. Other styles use different headings, such as References in APA.
- Capitalization in titles: The formal page heading is normally capitalized as Works Cited. Within a sentence, the phrase is usually lowercase unless it refers to the specific titled page.
- Bibliography versus Works Cited: A Works Cited page generally lists sources actually cited in the paper. A bibliography may include sources consulted during research even if they were not directly cited.
Examples from Media and Literature
The plural phrase appears in many ordinary academic and publishing contexts:
- Literary analysis: A student writing about Frankenstein might cite the novel, a scholarly article, and a historical source, then list all three under the heading Works Cited.
- Film criticism: An essay discussing a film adaptation and its original novel may include both works on its Works Cited page.
- News analysis: A research-based article about a public policy issue may identify reports, interviews, and news stories in a final Works Cited list when MLA style is required.
- Historical research: A paper about the Civil Rights Movement may cite speeches, books, government documents, and newspaper articles under Works Cited.
- Individual reference: A sentence such as “The work cited by the author was published in 1965” correctly uses the singular phrase because it identifies one source.
Work Cited Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| cited work | A source that has been referenced in writing |
| referenced work | A work mentioned or used as support |
| source cited | A source identified as evidence or authority |
Works Cited Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| source list | A list identifying sources used in a paper |
| citation list | A collection of bibliographic citations |
| bibliography | A list of sources related to a research project; it is not always identical to an MLA Works Cited page |
| reference list | A list of sources, especially in APA and some other citation styles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it work cited or works cited?
Use Works Cited as the heading for an MLA page listing multiple sources. Use work cited when referring to one individual source within a sentence.
Question 2: Should Works Cited be capitalized?
Yes, capitalize it when it is the formal title of an MLA source page. When the phrase is used generally within a sentence, lowercase is usually appropriate: “The works cited support the argument.”
Question 3: Is a Works Cited page the same as a bibliography?
Not always. An MLA Works Cited page normally includes only sources directly cited in the paper. A bibliography can include works consulted during research, even if they are not directly mentioned.
Question 4: Can a Works Cited page contain only one source?
Yes, an MLA assignment may technically have one source, but the standard heading remains Works Cited because it names the citation section rather than describing the exact number of entries.
Conclusion
Use Works Cited for the standard MLA heading and work cited when discussing one cited source. The plural form is appropriate for a page that gathers multiple references, while the singular form describes an individual work. Pro Tip: Using the correct heading and citation terminology demonstrates careful academic writing and protects your professional reputation.
