Referencing

When you’re writing an essay you’re not just making it up as you go along.   You’re using your own words and ideas but you’ll have attended lectures on the subject, probably been given a  reading list to swot up on, used a combination of library books, library eresources, handouts and reputable websites. It is all these sources of information which you use during your reading and research and then mention in your essay that you need to acknowledge in your handed up piece of work.

This is not just another rule or hurdle thought up by your lecturer to make life difficult. Rather it’s good and standard practice for any piece of well written structured and presented argument. And little as you might believe this is a skill that will be useful not just in college but through life and work.

By referencing you.... 

• impress with the range of book, sources etc you consulted
• demonstrate an ability to build an argument
• show that you understand and are on top of a subject
• give links so that others can go have a look later at your sources
• avoid any suspicion of plagiarism.