Forres Academy Referencing

Why Must You Reference? You must give CREDIT and RESPECT for any work you use in your essays

WHY? OOPS!

Credit and respect In order to obtain the knowledge and information you need to complete your assignments you will read books and articles. These are examples of academic writing. All academic writers are entitled to acknowledgement, credit and respect for the work they produce. Their work is the result of expertise gained through research, time and effort.

Information for your reader Referencing serves a practical purpose. It provides the readers of your work with all the information they need to find the books and articles that you have read. They can then read more about the subject, or evaluate for themselves the information that you have used

Supporting your arguments Referencing is most often used to point your reader to the work of an expert because you have read their work, you agree with it, and you want to include it in your discussion of a subject; or you have made your own point and you want to direct the reader to a book or an article which supports what you are saying

Good impression Good use of references will enhance your work and show that you have read around the subject on which you are writing. A well presented list of references at the end of your work will demonstrate that you understand the conventions of academic writing.

A Good Impression Leads To

Book – reference MACKAY, JAMES. (2003) William Wallace. 8th Ed. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing Company. MACKAY, JAMES. (2003) William Wallace. 8 th Ed. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing Company

Web Pages

Web Page

Web page –reference BBC History, William Wallace (c – 1306) [Online] Available from: william.shtml [Accessed 7th October 2015]. BBC History, 2015 William Wallace (c – 1306). [online] Available from: llace_william.shtml [Accessed 7 th October 2015]

Illustrations – citation and reference FIDDES, J., Garthdee House: the mansion purchased by Tom Scott Sutherland in In: H. ELLINGTON, The Robert Gordon University: a history. Aberdeen: The Robert Gordon University. p. 94.

Illustrations

The reference list / Bibliography A Reference / Bibliography is a list at the end of your essay It contains references for books etc., which you have used in your essay and also books you have read as background reading but to which you have not referred directly in your text. The list, is arranged alphabetically by author

Finding the information for your reference Books – Inside the title cover Web sites – directly from the web page you are using

Is it really an online item Many books and journals are now delivered to you electronically. This does not mean they are “online” items. If you could have read it on paper give it the normal paper reference.

Plagiarism – when do I need to reference? General knowledge fact – no reference Common knowledge fact – no reference Other facts – reference Opinion - reference Direct quotation - reference

Do I need a reference – quick guide QuestionAnswerAction 1. Is it an opinion, or is it a fact? Opinion Reference required Fact Go to next question 2. Is it a fact which I think any educated person might know (general knowledge)? YesNo reference required NoGo to next question 3. Is it a fact which my Teacher would expect me to know without having to look it up (common knowledge)? YesNo reference required No Reference required Always reference a direct quotation

Finally Take a note of all your references as you go along Don’t leave your referencing until the last minute We are here to help. If you are having problems with your referencing contact us!