Research Tip

It is time consuming to write all the information about each book on the top of every card you use. Here is a method that will save you time. It’s called a master list.

Write the appropriate information about each book you are using on one piece of paper (or more if you are using lots of books). Give each separate title a number. Now instead of having to write the bibliography information on the top of each separate card, you simply write the number from the master list associated with that book at the top of each card.

The master list of sources must include the following information:

the author’s (or authors’) name(s)

the title and subtitle

edition number (if needed)

the date of publication

the publisher’s name

the place of publication

When you are ready to create a Works Cited page or a bibliography at the end of your report, you have all the information you need in one place.

Here is an example of a Master List.