Documentation: Preparing the List of Works Cited
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What is the difference Between Bibliography and Citation?
Introduction:
In academic writing, proper documentation of sources is essential for maintaining honesty, credibility, and clarity. Documentation allows readers to identify the origin of ideas, verify information, and explore sources for further study. Two important components of documentation are citations and bibliographies. Although both are used to acknowledge sources, they serve different purposes and appear in different forms within a research paper. According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, accurate documentation ensures academic integrity and connects the writer’s work to the broader scholarly conversation. Understanding the difference between bibliography and citation helps writers present research responsibly and systematically.
Meaning of Citation :
A citation is a brief reference to a source used within the body of a research paper. It identifies the origin of specific information, ideas, or quotations. Citations appear immediately after borrowed material and guide readers to the full source information listed elsewhere in the document.
In MLA style, citations are typically presented in parenthetical form, including the author’s last name and page number. For example, when a writer quotes or paraphrases information, the citation shows where the information was obtained. This system allows readers to connect the writer’s discussion directly to the original source.
The main purposes of citation include:
Giving credit to original authors
Avoiding plagiarism
Supporting arguments with evidence
Allowing readers to verify information
Linking in-text references to full documentation
Citations are therefore essential for academic honesty and scholarly communication.
Meaning of Bibliography
A bibliography is a complete list of sources consulted during the research process. It appears at the end of a research paper and provides full publication details of each source, such as author, title, place of publication, publisher, and date. Unlike citations, which are brief references within the text, a bibliography provides detailed information for identifying and locating sources.
A bibliography may include:
Sources directly cited in the paper
Sources consulted for background information
Materials that influenced the research
The primary purposes of a bibliography are:
Demonstrating the scope of research
Providing full reference information
Allowing readers to locate sources
Showing intellectual foundation of the work
Thus, a bibliography reflects the breadth of materials that contributed to the research.
Major Differences Between Bibliography and Citation
1. Location in the Research Paper
A citation appears within the text, immediately after borrowed material. A bibliography appears at the end of the paper as a separate list of sources.
2. Purpose
A citation identifies the source of specific information used in the paper. A bibliography lists all sources consulted during research.
3. Level of Detail
A citation provides brief identifying information. A bibliography provides full publication details.
4. Function in Academic Writing
Citations support individual claims or statements. A bibliography demonstrates overall research effort and background reading.
5. Relationship to Sources
Citations include only sources directly used in the text. A bibliography may include both cited and consulted sources.
6. Role in Academic Integrity
Citations prevent plagiarism by acknowledging borrowed ideas. A bibliography promotes transparency by documenting research materials.
Importance of Distinguishing Between the Two
Understanding the distinction between citation and bibliography is essential for proper academic writing. Citations ensure that every borrowed idea is acknowledged at the point of use, while bibliographies provide a comprehensive record of research sources. Together, they create a transparent system of documentation that supports credibility and scholarly integrity.
This distinction also helps readers navigate research efficiently. A reader may use citations to locate specific supporting evidence, while the bibliography provides a broader view of the research foundation. Accurate use of both strengthens the structure and reliability of academic work.
Conclusion :
In conclusion, citation and bibliography are complementary but distinct elements of academic documentation. A citation is a brief reference within the text that identifies the source of specific information, while a bibliography is a detailed list of sources consulted during research. Both play essential roles in acknowledging intellectual contributions, supporting arguments, and maintaining academic integrity. By using citations and bibliographies correctly, writers demonstrate responsibility, transparency, and respect for scholarly work.
Short Note: MLA Style
Introduction :
MLA style is a standardized system of formatting and documentation widely used in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. It provides guidelines for organizing research papers, citing sources, and presenting information clearly and consistently. The system is described in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, which serves as a guide for students and scholars in preparing research work according to accepted academic conventions.
Main Features of MLA Style
One of the defining features of MLA style is the use of parenthetical in-text citations. When a writer uses information from a source, the author’s last name and page number are included in parentheses within the text. This brief reference directs readers to the full source information listed in the Works Cited page.
Another important component is the Works Cited list, which appears at the end of the research paper. It contains complete bibliographic details of all sources cited in the text. Entries are arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name and follow a consistent format.
MLA style also provides guidelines for formatting research papers, including margins, spacing, headings, title presentation, and punctuation in documentation. It emphasizes clarity, uniformity, and accuracy in presenting scholarly work.
The style promotes academic integrity by requiring proper acknowledgment of sources. By following MLA guidelines, writers avoid plagiarism and maintain ethical standards in research.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, MLA style provides a clear and organized method for formatting research papers and documenting sources. Its system of in-text citation and Works Cited entries ensures accurate acknowledgment of sources and effective scholarly communication. By following MLA style, writers present research in a consistent, credible, and academically responsible manner.
Annotated Bibliography
Topic: Posthumanism
Posthumanism is an interdisciplinary theoretical framework that interrogates the boundaries of the human, challenging anthropocentric assumptions in philosophy, literature, science, and culture. The following annotated bibliography presents eight varied source types related to posthumanism.
1. Journal Article
Braidotti, Rosi. “Posthuman, All Too Human: Towards a New Process Ontology.” Theory, Culture & Society, vol. 23, no. 7–8, 2006, pp. 197–208. SAGE Publications, https://doi.org/10.1177/0263276406069232.
Braidotti examines posthumanism as a transformative philosophical project that moves beyond the Enlightenment ideal of the rational human subject. She proposes a process ontology rooted in Spinozist and Deleuzian frameworks to theorise subjectivity as relational, nomadic, and embodied. The article is foundational for understanding how posthumanism challenges humanism’s hierarchies of species, gender, and race, making it essential reading for scholars entering the field.
2. Book
Hayles, N. Katherine. How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. University of Chicago Press, 1999.
Hayles traces the cultural and scientific history of the posthuman through three intertwined narratives: the development of cybernetics, the emergence of artificial intelligence, and the literary imagination of embodiment. Her central argument is that the liberal humanist subject has been displaced by an informational pattern that privileges code over flesh. This book remains a landmark text in digital humanities and posthumanist literary criticism.
3. Book Chapter
Wolfe, Cary. “Introduction: What Is Posthumanism?” What Is Posthumanism? University of Minnesota Press, 2010, pp. xi–xxxiv.
Wolfe’s introductory chapter distinguishes posthumanism from transhumanism, arguing that the former critiques rather than celebrates the transcendence of the human. Drawing on systems theory and deconstruction, Wolfe contends that posthumanism challenges the disciplinary organisation of knowledge itself. This chapter clarifies key conceptual debates and is indispensable for situating posthumanist theory within broader intellectual history.
4. Encyclopedia Entry
Ferrando, Francesca. “Posthumanism.” The International Encyclopedia of Ethics, edited by Hugh LaFollette, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, pp. 1–9. Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444367072.wbiee666.
This reference entry offers a concise overview of posthumanism’s philosophical genealogy, distinguishing it from adjacent movements such as transhumanism, anti-humanism, and new materialism. Ferrando maps the major strands—critical, cultural, and philosophical posthumanism—and identifies key thinkers including Haraway, Hayles, and Braidotti. It is an accessible starting point for readers new to the field and useful for establishing definitional clarity in academic writing.
5. News Article Image Article
Trendingblogers. (2026, February 26). How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Human Lifestyle? Nasscom | the Official Community of Indian IT Industry. Retrieved February 28, 2026, from https://community.nasscom.in/communities/ai/how-artificial-intelligence-changing-human-lifestyle
While the article acknowledges risks—such as job displacement and the loss of human empathy—it emphasizes a collaborative future. Ultimately, the "lifestyle change" is defined by a transition toward smarter, data-driven living where technology handles complexity, allowing humans to focus on higher-level creativity and strategic decision-making.
6. Webpage
Ferrando, Francesca. “Faculty Profile and Research.” New York University, 2020, https://as.nyu.edu/departments/philosophy/people/faculty/ferrando.html. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
This faculty webpage profiles Francesca Ferrando’s academic work on posthumanism, including her lectures, published works, and the Posthumanism course she teaches at NYU. The page links to syllabi and reading materials, offering insight into how posthumanism is pedagogically organised within university programmes. It serves as a useful resource for understanding the institutional contexts in which posthumanist thinking is taught and disseminated.
7. Video
The core idea of Francesca Ferrando’s lecture is that Philosophical Posthumanism is a transformative, non-hierarchical paradigm for the 21st century. She argues that the traditional definition of "human" is outdated, as we are now inextricably linked to technology and ecology.
Moving beyond Antropocentrism and Dualism, Ferrando emphasizes diversity and interconnectivity as the foundations of existence. She distinguishes Posthumanism from Transhumanism—which focuses on technological enhancement—by prioritizing a deep, ethical deconstruction of the self. Ultimately, she frames existence as a work of art, where we are plural, hybrid beings constantly manifesting through a "composite landscape" of shared agency and planetary responsibility.
8. Image / Visual Artwork
Haraway, Donna J. Cover Illustration. Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of Nature, Routledge, 1991. Reproduced in academic discussions of posthumanism and cyborg theory.
The iconic cover artwork of Haraway’s collection—featuring a hybrid human-machine figure—visually encapsulates her foundational argument that the cyborg is a potent political myth for the late twentieth century. The image disrupts binaries of organism and machine, natural and artificial, self and other. As a visual text, it invites readings about gender, technology, and posthumanist embodiment, functioning as a provocative entry point into Haraway’s theoretical universe.
PART TWO: MLA Inclusive Language Analysis
Research Article Under Review
Zetter, Roger. “More Labels, Fewer Refugees: Remaking the Refugee Label in an Era of Globalization.” Journal of Refugee Studies, vol. 20, no. 2, 2007, pp. 172–192. Oxford University Press, https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/fem011.
Introductory Section: Summary
Zetter’s introduction to this widely cited article examines how the refugee label—once a relatively stable legal-administrative category established by the 1951 Refugee Convention—has become increasingly fragmented and bureaucratised rgues that new sub-labels (such as ‘asylum seeker,’ ‘economic migrant,’ and ‘internally displaced person’) have multiplied in ways that serve state interests rather than protecting displaced populations. The introduction grounds this argument in political economy, identity theory, and institutional discourse analysis.
The Seven Principles of Inclusive Language (MLA 9th Edition)
The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook (2021) outlines seven principles that researchers should observe when writing about people and communities: (1) Call people what they call themselves; (2) Avoid language that implies a hierarchy of groups; (3) Be specific; (4) Avoid making assumptions; (5) Avoid language that marginalises or others; (6) Recognise that language changes; and (7) Acknowledge your positionality.
Analysis: Adherence to Inclusive Language Principles
Zetter’s introductory section demonstrates notable adherence to several of these principles.
Principle 1: Call People What They Call Themselves
Zetter’s article is significantly attentive to this principle. Rather than uncritically adopting bureaucratic or state-imposed designations, the author interrogates the very act of labelling refugees. He draws attention to how externally assigned labels—‘refugee,’ ‘asylum seeker,’ ‘economic migrant’—are institutional constructs that may not reflect how displaced individuals identify or experience their own conditions. By foregrounding label-making as a political act, the article implicitly honours the principle that people should be identified by terms they themselves choose or recognise, even as it critiques the power structures that override those choices.
Principle 2: Avoid Implying a Hierarchy of Groups
The introduction adheres strongly to this principle. Zetter explicitly problematises the bureaucratic hierarchies embedded in refugee discourse—hierarchies that distinguish ‘genuine’ refugees from ‘bogus’ asylum seekers, or that rank internally displaced persons below internationally recognised refugees. By exposing these hierarchies as political rather than natural or neutral, the article refuses to reproduce them. The author’s critical stance ensures that no displaced group is implicitly positioned as more deserving or more ‘legitimate’ than another.
Principle 3: Be Specific
Zetter’s introduction is notably specific in its geographical, historical, and institutional references. Rather than speaking of ‘refugees’ as an undifferentiated mass, the author anchors his discussion in the post-Cold War geopolitical context and traces the historical evolution of refugee policy through distinct periods. He specifies particular institutional actors (UNHCR, EU migration agencies, national governments) and distinct categories of displaced populations. This specificity prevents the homogenisation of refugee experiences that often characterises less careful academic or journalistic writing.
Principle 5: Avoid Language That Marginalises or Others
This principle is perhaps the most centrally engaged in Zetter’s introduction. The entire argument is premised on a critique of othering: the bureaucratic and political machinery that creates sub-categories of refugees does so, Zetter contends, precisely to manage, contain, and limit the claims of displaced populations. The author’s prose is careful not to replicate the dehumanising vocabulary he critiques. Displaced people are consistently framed as rights-bearing individuals subjected to unjust institutional processes, never as threats or burdens.
Principle 6: Recognise That Language Changes
Zetter’s entire analytical framework rests on recognising the historicity of language. His central observation—that the refugee label has undergone significant semantic transformation since 1951—is essentially an argument about how language changes in response to political shifts. The proliferation of sub-labels he documents in the introduction reflects how political and social change drives terminological change. By treating the refugee label as historically contingent rather than fixed, the article enacts this principle at the level of its methodological premise.
Principles 4 and 7: Avoiding Assumptions and Acknowledging Positionality
These two principles receive comparatively less explicit attention. Zetter does not make direct assumptions about individual refugee experiences; however, the introduction does not explicitly situate the author’s own subject position or acknowledge potential biases arising from his perspective as a Western academic writing about populations in the Global South. From the standpoint of MLA’s 9th edition, this represents a limitation: a brief reflexive statement about positionality could have strengthened the section’s inclusivity. That said, the article’s consistently critical and structural orientation mitigates the risk of projecting unwarranted assumptions onto the communities it discusses.
Conclusion:
Overall, Zetter’s introductory section demonstrates strong adherence to at least four of MLA’s seven principles of inclusive language: calling people what they call themselves (Principle 1), avoiding hierarchical rankings of groups (Principle 2), maintaining specificity (Principle 3), and resisting othering language (Principle 5). The article is additionally built upon an implicit recognition that language changes (Principle 6). Its relative inattention to the explicit acknowledgement of positionality (Principle 7) is a limitation common to scholarship of its era. By the standards of MLA’s 9th edition, Zetter’s introduction represents a thoughtful and ethically conscious engagement with the communities it studies.
Works Cited:
Braidotti, Rosi. “Posthuman, All Too Human: Towards a New Process Ontology.” Theory, Culture & Society, vol. 23, no. 7–8, 2006, pp. 197–208.
Ferrando, Francesca. “Posthumanism.” The International Encyclopedia of Ethics, edited by Hugh LaFollette, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, pp. 1–9.
Foreign Objekt. (2021, July 6). Francesca Ferrando_Meeting_1: “The Composite Landscape of the Posthuman (Contemporary Philosophy)” [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZkSuAtWtCI
“Faculty Profile and Research.” New York University, 2020, https://as.nyu.edu/departments/philosophy/people/faculty/ferrando.html.
Haraway, Donna J. Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of Nature. Routledge, 1991.
Hayles, N. Katherine. How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. U of Chicago P, 1999.
MLA Handbook. 9th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021.
Sample, Ian. “How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing What It Means to Be Human.” The Guardian, 26 Mar. 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/26/artificial-intelligence-changing-what-it-means-to-be-human.
Wolfe, Cary. “Introduction: What Is Posthumanism?” What Is Posthumanism? U of Minnesota P, 2010, pp. xi–xxxiv.
Zetter, Roger. “More Labels, Fewer Refugees: Remaking the Refugee Label in an Era of Globalization.” Journal of Refugee Studies, vol. 20, no. 2, 2007, pp. 172–192.
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