- 1). After you finish you paper, hit "Enter" until you come to a new page. At the top of the page, center the title "Works Cited" and then hit "Enter" to begin your list. Type all of your references in alphabetical order so that the first line of the source is flush left and the subsequent lines of the same citation are indented. This page should be double-spaced and in 12-point font like the rest of your paper.
- 2). Start your citation with the title of the entry. If you were looking up "balderdash" for example, your citation would start, "Balderdash." with the quotes and period as shown.
- 3). Follow the word with the designation of the entry - in this case a definition. To do this, type "Def." after the word. So far, your citation should look like this: "Balderdash." Def.
- 4). Reference which definition you have used in your paper. For example, the word "ball" has several definitions. In your citation, indicate the number and the letter of the definition you used: "Ball." Def. 2a. This indicates that you are referencing the first part of the second definition of your word.
- 5). Italicize the name of the dictionary and place it after the definition specification and put a period after the name. For example, "Balderdash." Def. 2a. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. with the name of the dictionary in italics.
- 6). Follow the name of the dictionary with the edition of the book you are using. Dictionaries like Merriam-Webster come out with new editions to keep up with changes in language. In your citation, indicate the edition by typing the number followed by "ed." If you used the ninth edition, your citation should look like this: "Ball." Def. 2a. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 9th ed.
- 7). Finish the citation with the year of publication and the source, each followed by a period. If the dictionary is online, include the web address in the listing. If it is in print, the complete example citation would look like this: "Ball." Def. 2a. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 9th ed. 1985. Print.
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