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Does a bibliography have to be alphabetized by the last name?

Yes, a bibliography should be alphabetized by the last name of the author or editor.

Here are some important points to remember:

* Alphabetize by the first word in the citation: This usually means the last name of the author or editor. If there's no author, alphabetize by the title.

* Capitalize all major words in the title: Even though the entire entry is usually in italics or quotation marks, you still need to capitalize the title correctly.

* Ignore articles (a, an, the) at the beginning of the title: These are not used for alphabetizing.

* Use the author's full last name, even if there's a shortened form: For example, use "Smith, John" even if the author is also known as "J. Smith."

* Use consistent formatting: Whether you use MLA, APA, or another style, make sure the entire bibliography uses the same formatting rules.

It's always best to check your specific citation style guidelines, as they may have specific requirements for alphabetizing.

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