1. Accuracy and credibility: The work cited list provides information about the sources used by the author to support their claims and arguments. This allows the reader to evaluate the accuracy and credibility of the essay by checking the reliability of the sources.
2. Further research: The work cited list can serve as a starting point for further research on the topic of the essay. Readers who are interested in exploring the subject in more depth can refer to the cited sources to access additional information and insights.
3. Scholarly standards: A properly formatted work cited list demonstrates the essay's adherence to scholarly standards and academic integrity. This contributes to the overall credibility and professionalism of the essay.
4. Understanding context: By referencing outside sources, the work cited list helps readers understand the broader context of the essay, and how the author's ideas relate to those of other researchers and experts in the field.
5. Avoiding plagiarism: By explicitly acknowledging and referencing the sources used, the work cited list helps the reader identify and distinguish the author's own ideas from those of others, thus supporting academic honesty and intellectual property rights.