Can I include sources I didn't cite in a reference list?

No. A reference list must only contain sources that are specifically cited within the body of your text. If you want to include background reading that was not cited, you must use a bibliography.

Does APA style use a bibliography?

APA style almost exclusively uses a reference list. You should only include a bibliography in APA if your instructor specifically requests a list of works for further reading.

Are bibliographies and reference lists formatted differently?

The internal formatting of the entries (author name, date, title) is usually the same. The primary difference is the title of the page and the selection of which sources to include.

Difference between reference list and bibliography

Explainer4 min read·Updated May 2024

The main difference

The difference between a reference list and a bibliography is that a reference list only includes sources specifically cited in your text, while a bibliography includes every source you consulted during your research, even if you did not quote or paraphrase them in the final essay.

Reference list vs. bibliography comparison

Feature	Reference List	Bibliography
Primary Goal	To support specific claims made in the text	To provide a complete record of research
Scope	Only sources cited in-text	All consulted sources and background reading
Style Usage	APA, MLA (Works Cited), Vancouver	Chicago, Turabian, Oxford
Length	Usually shorter and more focused	Often longer and more comprehensive
Requirement	Mandatory for avoiding plagiarism	Often optional unless requested by instructor
Structure	Alphabetical by author	Alphabetical or categorized by source type

What is a reference list?

A reference list is a targeted list of sources that provides the full bibliographic details for every in-text citation in your paper. Its primary purpose is to allow readers to locate the exact evidence you used to support your arguments. In APA style, this page is titled References. In MLA style, it is titled Works Cited. If you mention a study in your paragraph, it must appear here. If you read a book but did not use its information in your writing, it must be excluded.

What is a bibliography?

A bibliography is a broader list that documents your entire research process. It includes everything in a reference list plus any background reading, foundational texts, or sources that informed your thinking but were not directly cited. Bibliographies are common in history and the humanities, particularly in Chicago style. They serve as a reading list for others interested in the topic, showing the breadth of your investigation beyond just the quoted material.

Application in an essay

Example

Imagine you are writing an essay on climate change. You read five books for background knowledge, but you only quote from two of them.

**Reference List approach:**
Only the two quoted books are listed on the final page. This is the standard for APA and MLA papers where the goal is direct evidence verification.

**Bibliography approach:**
All five books are listed on the final page. The three books you didn't quote are included to show the reader you understood the broader context of environmental science before writing.

When to use each

Always check your specific style guide or assignment rubric first. As a general rule, use a reference list for scientific and social science papers (APA). Use a bibliography for historical research or long-form projects where your bibliography serves as a resource for future researchers. If you are using EssayGenius to generate your citations, ensure you select the correct style to match these requirements automatically.

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