What is the Difference Between Bibliography and Footnotes

When writing a research paper or academic assignment, it’s important to give credit to the sources you use. Bibliography and footnotes are two common ways to do this.

What is the difference between bibliography and footnotes? A bibliography lists all the sources at the end of the document, while footnotes give specific source details or extra information at the bottom of each page.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Bibliography  
     – Definition, Features
2. What are Footnotes
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Bibliography and Footnotes
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Bibliography and Footnotes
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Bibliography and Footnotes
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Bibliography, Footnotes

What is a Bibliography

A bibliography is a list of all the sources you used while researching and writing a paper. These sources can include books, articles, websites, and more. The purpose of a bibliography is to show where you got your information and to give credit to the authors and creators of those sources.

Depending on the writing style you’re using, the bibliography might have a different name. In MLA style, it’s called a Works Cited page. In APA style, it’s called a References page. Moreover, in Chicago style, it’s usually just called a Bibliography. Even though the names are different, they all serve the same purpose.

A bibliography usually includes important details about each source, such as the author’s name, the title of the work, the publisher, and the year it was published. The exact information and the way it’s written depend on the style guide you’re following.

To create a bibliography, start by collecting all the details about the sources you used. Then, format them based on the rules of your chosen style, like MLA, APA, or Chicago.

What are Footnotes

Footnotes are small notes added at the bottom of a page in a piece of writing. They are marked in the main text with little numbers written above the line, called superscript numbers. You can easily add footnotes using tools in programs like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Each footnote should have its own number, and you should number them in the order they appear in your text. Don’t repeat the same number, even if you’re referring to the same source again. The number should come right after the sentence or idea it’s linked to, usually after the punctuation.

We use footnotes to give extra information, explain something, or show where you got your information from (a citation). Some writing styles, like the Chicago style, use footnotes for citations. Others, like APA and MLA, use them mainly for giving extra details or clarifying points, not for citations.

Footnotes are similar to endnotes, but the difference is that endnotes all appear together at the end of the document. Footnotes, on the other hand, show up at the bottom of each page, so the reader doesn’t have to flip back and forth.

Similarities Between Bibliography and Footnotes

1. Both give credit to sources used in research or writing.
2. They help avoid plagiarism by showing where information came from.
3. Both can include details about books, articles, websites, and other sources.
4. They are used in academic and formal writing.
5. Both follow specific style guides like MLA, APA, or Chicago.

Difference Between Bibliography and Footnotes

Definition

• A bibliography is a list of all the sources used in a piece of writing, usually found at the end of the document. Footnotes, on the other hand, are short notes at the bottom of a page that give extra information or cite sources related to specific parts of the text.

Location

• A bibliography appears at the end of the document, whereas footnotes appear at the bottom of the page where the reference is made.

Function

• A bibliography lists all the sources used during research or writing, while footnotes give specific details about a particular source or provide extra information related to a specific part of the text.

Content

• A bibliography includes full details of each source, such as the author, title, publisher, and year, while footnotes may include a shortened citation or a brief comment.

FAQ: Bibliography and Footnotes

1. What’s the difference between footnotes and references?

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page and give extra information or cite a source for a specific part of the text. References are a list of all the sources used in the whole paper and are placed at the end.

2. Can I use footnotes and a bibliography?

Yes, you can use both footnotes and a bibliography, especially in styles like Chicago. Footnotes give details on the page, while the bibliography lists all sources at the end.

3. What is the difference between bibliography and endnotes?

A bibliography is a list of all the sources you use in your work and appears at the end of the document. Endnotes also appear at the end, but they give extra information or specific source details linked to parts of the text.

4. How to write a bibliography?

To write a bibliography, list all the sources you used in your work, including the author’s name, title, publisher, and year. Follow the format style your teacher or guide asks for, like MLA, APA, or Chicago.

Reference:

1. “What are Footnotes?” Scribbr.

2. “How to Write a Bibliography, With Examples.” Grammarly.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Zoonoses: The Lethal Gifts of Livestock: Bibliography slide” By ILRI (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr

2. “Footnotes” By Hedwig von Ebbel – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia