6. Guide to Referencing in Academic Writing
| 1. Understand the Citation Style: | Different academic disciplines use specific citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard). Identify the required citation style for your assignment or consult your instructor. |
| 2. Create a Reference List: | Compile a separate page at the end of your document titled “References,” “Works Cited,” or a similar term, depending on the citation style. |
| 3. Collect Source Information: | Gather essential details for each source, including the author(s), title, publication date, publication source, and page numbers or by the use of a Software. For online sources, include the URL or DOI. |
| 4. Book Citations: | For books, include the author(s), title, publisher, and publication year. Format it according to the citation style guidelines. |
| 5. Journal Article Citations: | Include the author(s), article title, journal name, volume, issue, page range, and publication year for journal articles. |
| 6. Website Citations: | For websites, include the author(s), page title, site name, URL, and access date if applicable. Follow the citation style for formatting. |
| 7. In-text Citations: | Place in-text citations within the body of your text to acknowledge the source of specific information or ideas. Follow the style’s guidelines for formatting (e.g., (Author, Year) or Author (Year)). |
| 8. Citing Multiple Authors: | Different citation styles handle multiple authors differently. Understand the conventions for citing two or more authors (e.g., et al. for more than two authors). |
| 9. Quotations: | When directly quoting a source, include the page number in your in-text citation. Ensure that the quote is accurate and properly enclosed in quotation marks. |
| 10. Electronic Sources: | Include all relevant information for online sources, such as the URL or DOI. Follow the guidelines for formatting electronic citations in your chosen style. |
| 11. Keep Consistent Formatting: | Maintain consistency throughout your document. Ensure that your citations are formatted according to the selected style, including punctuation, italics, and capitalization. |
| 12. Check Citation Style Guides: | Look upon the VGU library website, there are available guides (e.g., APA Manual, MLA Handbook) for specific rules and examples. These guides provide detailed instructions for citing various sources. |
| 13. Use Citation Tools: | Consider using citation management tools like EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley to automate the citation process and manage your references efficiently. |
| 14. Proofread Your References: | Before submitting your work, carefully review your reference list to ensure accuracy and adherence to the chosen citation style. |
| 15. Seek Help: | If in doubt, consult your instructor, LCFY/CEHE, or online resources for clarification on specific citation issues. |
Bibliography
Curtin University. (n.d.). Library | Curtin University, Perth, Australia. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.curtin.edu.au/library/
Purdue University. (n.d.). Research and Citation Resources—Purdue OWL®—Purdue University. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html
Zotero. (n.d.). Zotero | Your personal research assistant. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.zotero.org/
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