At the end of your work, you’ll need a reference list on a separate page of all the sources you've cited. Sliography and a reference list? Find more hand check which is needed for your modules. Your reference list should contain only primary and secondary sources, and there are a few formatting rules to follow:
Below is an array of some referencing styles. Please have a peek.
See These Rules
01
List your sources in Alphabetical Order
02
Use a hanging indent for each entry.
03
Italicise the titles of work e.g Book Title
04
Follow your referencing style guide for further tips.
Stage 3
Avoiding Common mistakes
There are some common mistakes that people make when referencing. Below is a list of these common mistakes.
01. Lack of quotation marks
Quotation marks show you’re using an author’s exact words, highlighting they are not your words. A common mistake is excluding quotation marks, which can lead to accidental plagiarism by implying the text is original. Always use them to credit direct wording.
Paraphrasing means fully rephrasing an author’s ideas in your own words, demonstrating you understand the content. It involves capturing the main ideas, not just swapping a few words to maintain the original meaning. Copying text and only changing some words isn’t true paraphrasing—it’s plagiarism, as it implies those ideas are entirely your own. Make sure you rewrite and give credit.
Secondary referencing credits two authors: the original (Author A) and the source where you found it (Author B). For example, "Author A, as cited by B." This shows you’ve read Author B’s interpretation of Author A’s ideas. Failing to reference both counts as plagiarism, as it doesn’t credit both contributors, and you risk relying on interpretations that may not fully capture Author A’s ideas. Remember to always cite the author you directly read as well as the original source.
Your work is your own, and sharing it can lead to collusion if others use it in their assignments. Even if well-intentioned, sharing can give friends an unfair advantage, and you lose control if they pass it on. To stay safe, avoid sharing your assignments.
When revisiting a topic you’ve covered before, resist the urge to reuse previous assignments. Reusing past work without citation is considered plagiarism—you can’t earn credit for the same work twice. Instead, cite your previous work like any other source, paraphrase where possible, and use quotation marks sparingly if you need to reference exact wording.
Generative AI can be helpful, but there are guidelines for its use at university. Misusing it can be considered plagiarism or misrepresentation. Always check with your Module Leader and follow the University’s guidance on acceptable AI use for assignments. Find out more.