How to Create a Bibliography in Word 2016

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Creating a bibliography in Word 2016 may seem complicated at first glance, but it is a task that can be done in a systematic way. This guide will walk you through the steps in detail, helping you create a comprehensive bibliography that meets academic standards.

Introduction to bibliography

A bibliography is a list of the sources you used in researching and writing your document. These sources can be books, articles, websites, and other types of media. A well-crafted bibliography is a way to give credit to the original authors and enables readers to track down the sources if they want to explore them further.

The purpose of the bibliography

Having a well-structured bibliography is important for several reasons:

• Acknowledgements: This gives proper credit to the authors whose works you have cited.
• Verification: This allows readers to verify the authenticity of the information being presented in your document.
• Further Research: This serves as a guide for readers who wish to explore the topic in greater detail by consulting the listed sources.

Setting up a bibliography in Word 2016

Microsoft Word 2016 has built-in features that make creating bibliographies easier and more consistent. Here's how you can use these features:

Step 1: Insert quotes

Before you can create a bibliography, you need to include citations in your document. Follow these steps to insert citations:

1. Open your document in Word 2016.
2. Go to the References tab in the ribbon at the top of the window.
3. Click on Manage sources. This will open the Source Manager dialog box.
4. To add a new source, click New.... The Create a Source dialog box will appear.
5. Fill in the fields with information relevant to your source. For example, you can choose the type of source from the drop-down menu, such as a book, article, or webpage.
6. Once you have entered all the required details, click OK to add the source to your list.
7. Repeat these steps for each source you want to cite in your document.

Step 2: Insert citations in the text

After you add a source to your document, you can insert a citation. Here's how to do this:

1. Click at the point in your document where you want to insert the citation.
2. Under the References tab, click Insert Citation.
3. A drop-down menu will appear with a list of the sources you've added. Select the source you want to cite.
4. The citation will be formatted based on the style you selected (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

Step 3: Selecting a citation style

Word 2016 lets you choose from different citation styles to suit your needs. To choose a citation style:

1. Go to the References tab.
2. In the Citations & Bibliography group, click the drop-down menu labeled Style.
3. Choose the style that best suits your needs. Common options include APA, MLA, and Chicago.

Step 4: Creating a bibliography

Once you've entered all your citations, creating a bibliography is easy. Follow these steps:

1. Place the cursor where you want to insert the bibliography, usually at the end of your document.
2. Click the References tab.
3. Select Bibliography from the group named Citations & Bibliography.
4. Choose from the list that appears to insert a bibliography, either the built-in format or a Works Cited page.

Word 2016 creates a bibliography using the citations and sources you insert into your document.

Editing sources and citations

Sometimes you may need to edit source details or update an existing citation. Here's how you can do that:

Editing the source

1. Go to the References tab, and click Manage Sources.
2. In the Source Manager, select the source you want to edit from the list.
3. Click Edit.... In the Edit Source dialog box, update the information as needed.
4. Once you’ve made your changes, click OK to save them.

Updating citations

1. Right-click the citation you want to update in your document.
2. Select Edit Citation from the context menu.
3. Update citation details, such as adding page numbers if necessary.
4. Press OK to apply the changes.

Customizing your bibliography

You may find yourself needing to customize your bibliography to meet specific formatting guidelines. Word 2016 lets you make several changes to the look of a bibliography:

Formatting the text

1. Select the bibliography text in your document.
2. Go to the Home tab to change the font, font size, and style.
3. Use the paragraph settings to adjust line spacing and indentation.

Adding annotations

If you need to add comments to your bibliography:

1. Click at the end of the citation entry in your bibliography.
2. Type your annotation text manually. It must be formatted according to your document style guide.

Updating your bibliography

If you add new sources or update existing citations, it's important to refresh your bibliography. Here's how:

1. Click the bibliography text to select it.
2. A tab called Bibliography Options will appear. Click Update Citations and Bibliography.
3. The bibliography will automatically update to include all current citations from your document.

Best practices for effective bibliography creation

To make sure your bibliography creation process goes as smoothly as possible, follow these tips:

• Maintain consistency by using the same citation style throughout your document.
• Manage and update your source list regularly to accurately reflect your research.
• Keep track of the different types of sources you use to ensure you have varied and rich reference material.
• Review your bibliography with your source material to catch any missed entries.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined above, you can easily create a bibliography in Word 2016 that is both accurate and comprehensive. By carefully managing your sources and choosing the right citation style, you ensure that your document meets the required academic or professional standards. As you become more familiar with the process, you will find that it becomes a straightforward part of preparing any document that requires citations.

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