Learning Skills
Following Academic Convention: Referencing
Activity 7
Can you work out the four errors in this sentence?
In my opinion Smiths analysis was spot on.
Notice that one of the errors in the sentence had to do with the correct way to acknowledge a reference to someone else's written work. It is important as an academic writer to understand.
WHY you reference, because it will enable you to better know
HOW to reference in-text and end-of-text, and
CHECK if you are correct.
Why reference
- To respect and acknowledge the work of others
- To give credibility to your work
- To allow the reader to read further on a particular point you have made
- To follow academic convention.
Failing to acknowledge another author's work is called plagiarism. This is the act of taking and using another author's work as one's own. Where this occurs it is regarded as cheating and is dealt with under the disciplinary provisions of the University.
How To Reference
CSU uses APA Style for referencing, and students need a copy of the APA Referencing Summary: a CSU guide which is available from the Learning Skills website.
The acknowledgement of the work of others has two essential aspects:
- Citing references in text
- The References list at the end of your paper
In text referencing is acknowledgement of the work of others within the text of your essay or piece of writing. Material that must be referenced includes:
- Direct quotations: this means you take the exact words from your source and enclose within inverted commas. Your in-text reference includes the surname of the author, year of publication and page number.
- Paraphrasing: this means you use your own words to express ideas taken from another source. Your reference must include the surname of the author, and year of publication. When paraphrasing material inclusion of the page number is not required, but is encouraged.
The reference list is the list of sources you used in your essay or other piece of writing and is included at the end of your assignment.
- A references list includes only those works you actually cited (used) in the text with a few exceptions, such as personal communications. Entries are listed alphabetically by author.
- A bibliography includes sources you cited and sources you used to generate your ideas but did not actually cite.
Most CSU subjects require a reference list but not usually a bibliography.
Some General Guidelines
- Where possible acknowledge the author by name.
- Where possible acknowledge the original source.
- As a rule of thumb, to check if you are correct, ask yourself if the reader can locate the source you have used.
- Be consistent.
Styles of referencing
The APA Referencing style system is the preferred style at CSU.
Some lecturers/subjects however may use a variant system and you may see different referencing systems in your reading. Always check that you are using the correct referencing style for your subject. This should be stated in your subject outline. If in doubt ask your lecturer.
Activity 8
Select the correct response.
1. Referencing is important because it
(a) Acknowledges the work of others
(b) Allows the reader to follow up your source
(c) Gives your work credibility
(d) All of the above
2. Your essay might include
(a) Only your own ideas
(b) Lots of direct quotations
(c) A mix of direct quotations and paraphrases
3. An in-text reference to a direct quotations must have the following
(a) The author's surname and date of publication
(b) The author's initial, surname and date of publication
(c) The author's surname, date of publication and page number
4. A paraphrase is
(a) Written in your own words
(b) Enclosed in inverted commas
(c) Less valued than direct quotations
5. The list of references includes
(a) Every source you have read for the essay
(b) Only those sources you actually cited in your essay
6. A university guide to APA referencing is available
(a) On the Student Services website
(b) On the Library website
(c) Both of the above
Check suggested response
