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Elements of Academic Writing

7.1. Quotations and Referencing

(Preparing the List of Works Cited)

Direct quotations and references to authors’ writings are often included in essays, reports, dissertations and theses. They are included to show that you have read around the subject and are aware of what has been written about it. Their purpose is to demonstrate support for your own ideas, points of view and findings, and perhaps to show examples or evidence. In writing a research paper, you must indicate exactly where you found whatever material you borrow – whether facts, opinions, or quotations. The Works Citedsection of your paper should list all the works that you have cited in your text. Other names for such a listing are Bibliographyand Literature Cited. Usually, however, the broader title Works Citedis more appropriate, since research papers often draw on not only books and articles but also other nonprint sources.

The list of works cited appears at the end of the paper. Begin the list on a new page and number each page, continuing the page numbers of the text. Type the page number in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top, and center the title Works Cited one inch from the top of the page. Double-space between the title and the first entry. Begin each entry flush with the left margin, and if it runs more than one line, indent the subsequent line or lines five spaces from the left margin. Double-space the entire list, both between and within entries. Continue the list on as many pages as necessary. It is important that references are arranged in strict alphabetical order. It is usually necessary to include the first names or initial letters of authors in addition to their surnames. (Surnames beginning with Mc are treated as if their spelling was Mac e.g. McKenzie, like Mackenzie, will come before Madison.) The alphabetical listing makes it easy for the reader to find full publication information for works referred to in the text. In general, alphabetize entries in the list of works cited by the author’s last name, using the letter-by –letter system. If the author’s name is unknown, alphabetize by the first word in the title other than A, An, or The. For alphabetizing foreign names, consult The MLA Style Manual.

An entry in a list of works cited characteristically has three main divisions – author, title, and publication information – each followed by a period and two spaces. Sometimes, however, other facts are required, and a period and two spaces follow each additional item of information.

In citing books, normally arrange the information in the following order:

1. Author’s name

2. Title of a part of the book

3. Title of the book

4. Name of the editor, translator, or compiler

5. Edition used

6. Number(s) of the volume(s) used

7. Name of the series

8. Place of publication, name of the publisher, and date of publication

9. Page numbers

10. Supplementary bibliographic information and annotation

 

If more than one author has the same surname, they should appear in alphabetical order of the initial of the first name. If more than one reference is given by the same author, then the earlier dated reference will appear first. If two or references by the same author appear in the same year, they will be labeled in sequence with letters (a, b, c, etc.) after the year. References to one author are normally listed before those of joint authorship of the same author. There are differences between references to books and references to journals.



  • Note the sequence of information commonly used in references to books: Author’s surname, initials, date (in brackets), title (underlined or in italics), place of publication, publisher.

E.g. Wallace, M.J. (1980). Study Skills in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

  • Note the sequence of information commonly used in references to articles in journals: Author’s surname, initials, date (in brackets), title of the article, name of journal (underlined or in italics), volume number, issue number, sometimes season or month, sometimes page numbers. Volume and issue numbers may also be written: Vol. 27 no.1.

E.g. West, R. (1994). Needs analysis in language teaching. Language Teaching, 27 (1): 1-19

Quotations are the exact words of the author, which must be accurate, with the same punctuation and spelling. There are two basic ways of using quotations.

1. Quotation marks (inverted commas) are put around the author’s actual words, which are then incorporated in the text: this is often used for short quotations, e.g.

Academic writers need to be cautious in their claims. In this respect, vague language is important as “it allows claims to be made with due caution, modesty, and humility” (Hyland, 1994:241)

2. The quotation is indented (it starts further from the margin than the other lines, and it may be in a different type size or style; the quotation marks are usually omitted): this is normally used for longer quotations (three or more lines), e.g.

Jordan (1997: 249) also draws attention to the necessity for being careful:

A feature of academic writing is the need to be cautious in one’s claims and statements. In other words, you may indicate your certainty and commitment in varying degrees.

This may be done in various ways …


Date: 2015-12-18; view: 975


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