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Study Skills- Referencing

A guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism

Introduction to Quotations

Quoting is copying, repeating a passage or using the exact wording from a source, such as a book or journal article.

You might need to quote text of a formal definition or standard to ensure the exact meaning is made clear to your reader. Perhaps there is an exact turn of phrase that is particularly significant that cannot be conveyed by paraphrasing. 

Quotations are usually included in your word count. 

Within your writing, quotes must be:

  • Attributed to the author with a citation, including page numbers.
  • Indicate the beginning and the end with quotation marks.
  • Kept short, avoid using more than one or two short sentences at a time.
  • only quote if how it is said, is as important as what is said.

Can you justify why you have chosen to use a particular quote? Was it powerful, important in history or was it recorded by an important author in your area of study? 

Quotations

  • Use quotation marks, single or double, but be consistent.
  • Give the page number of the original in the in text citation.
  • Give a full reference in the reference list section at the end of your work.
  • Run your quotation into the text, so it reads smoothly.

Harvard Referencing example:

'Some aspects of study might be less attractive to you, such as writing assignments, meeting deadlines or sitting exams, and yet these also tend to bring the greatest satisfaction and rewards' (Cottrell, 2024, p.4).
 

  • Avoid extracts longer than 5 lines
  • Indent the passage – there is no need to use quotation marks
  • Give an in text citation with the page number.
  • Give a full reference in the reference list section at the end of your work

 Harvard Referencing example:

The Department of Health and Social Care (2020) introduced the government’s strategy to tackle obesity in these terms:

Tackling obesity is one of the greatest long-term health challenges this country faces. Today, around two-thirds 63% of adults are above a healthy weight, and of these half are living with obesity (NHS, 2020). We have 1 in 3 leaving primary school who are already overweight or living with obesity with 1 in 5 living with obesity (NHS England, 2019).

References

Cottrell, S. (2024) The study skills handbook. 5th edn. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Department of Health and Social Care (2020) Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives.  Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-obesity-government-strategy/tackling-obesity-empowering-adults-and-children-to-live-healthier-lives (Accessed: 22 July 2024).

University of Manchester (ND) Academic Phrasebank. Available at: https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/ (Accessed: 31 July 2023).