This section describes the correct methods for crediting external sources (such as books, articles, and websites) in assignments. Referencing external sources properly shows your marker that you can effectively locate and integrate facts and ideas into your assignment. Failure to reference your sources is plagiarism and can carry significant academic penalties.
In this section
Intro to referencing
- What is referencing?
- Why reference?
- Plagiarism
- Turnitin
- Common knowledge
- Referencing styles
- What type of source is this?
- Reference list vs. bibliography
- Referencing software
Quoting & paraphrasing
APA style
- APA Interactive
- In-text citation
- Reference list
- Referencing books
- Referencing journals
- Referencing online material
- Referencing other material
- Formatting tables and figures
- Referencing elements
- 5th vs. 6th edition
- 6th vs. 7th edition
MLA style
- MLA Interactive
- Abbreviations
- In-text citation
- List of works cited
- Referencing books
- Referencing journals
- Referencing online material
- Referencing other material
- Referencing elements
- Captions for visual material
Chicago style
- Chicago Interactive
- About notes system
- Books
- Journals
- Online material
- Other material
- Notes referencing elements
- Quoting and paraphrasing
- Author-date system
Other styles
Help and support
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Related sections
Correct referencing is one requirement of good academic writing. For other requirements, see the section on academic writing.
Massey Library offers EndNote, bibliographic management software that can create, store, and manage references automatically.
For a broader understanding of honesty in assignment writing, see Academic Integrity.