Works Cited and References pages are always organized alphabetically by the first element that appears in the reference. The first element is usually the author, but it can be the title of the source if no author is present.
MLA Alphabetization Rules
The Works Cited below is alphabetized by author and one source is alphabetized by the title as MLA Style requires.
APA Alphabetization Rules
The References page below is likewise alphabetized by author and source title as APA requires.
Common Alphabetization Rules
The rules below are common in both styles and also common questions about alphabetizing references.
- Articles like A, An, and The are ignored when alphabetizing by title. In the examples above, the reference for "The Chic Bar Maybelle" is alphabetized by the letter "C" instead of "T."
- Alphabetize numbers as if they were spelled out. The number 20 should be alphabetized under "T."
Please contact one of our Librarians in person or through our Ask a Librarian if you have questions.