Managing your references in Politics and History assignments
Monica Fernandes, Academic Advisor
Why do we need references? • • • • •
Acknowledge knowledge created by others Engage with existing research on your topic Become part of the academic community Demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about your topic Create authority and reliability for your work
Integrate your evidence Indirect quotation (paraphrasing) • • • •
Paraphrase- use your own words! Demonstrates broad knowledge and understanding Distils ideas and conserves word count Allows for sophisticated synthesis of ideas
Eg: Hudson (1997, 15) states that…..
Integrate your evidence Direct quotation (in speech marks) • Brings ‘punch’ and interest to a point • Should only be used if you couldn’t have said it better yourself (or if it’s central to your argument) Eg: “Debates in the Middle East have played out in a vivid fashion” (1997, p. 120).
Sample scenario Lebanon’s constitution is unique in nature. This is due to the fact that constitutional rule in Lebanon is secondary to the consensus of its major religious communities. Hudson suggests “Lebanon’s political recovery after the civil war was partly successful” (1997, p. 120). The history of the constitution proves that this system has worked for Lebanon since the 1920s.
What do you think? A. The reference is incorporated correctly. B. There should be more quotations to back up the student’s ideas. C. The quote is irrelevant.
Answer The quote is irrelevant to the discussion at hand, and should be cut or replaced. This is sometimes called a ‘drop’ quote. Questions to ask yourself: • Am I just dropping the quote in, or am I responding to and unpacking it? • Does the reference add something to what I am arguing? • Is the statement written so well it is worth quoting directly?
A sample scenario Jared is writing an essay about the political history of World War 2. He reads several books and wants to point out in his assignment that the war took place from 1939 until 1945. Does he need to reference this information? What do you think? A. Jared does have to reference this information, because he learned it from the work of other authors. B. This kind of fact is 'common knowledge', and as such does not need referencing. C. Jared should reference one of the history books he's read.
Answer This kind of fact is 'common knowledge', and as such does not need referencing. Questions to ask yourself: • Would this fact be found in any book on my subject? • Does the fact form a part of another author's ideas or arguments? • Do other sources disagree with this statement? Is the information up for debate? • If you are ever in doubt, play it safe and reference it, or see a tutor for advice.
Referencing tips... • Use first author and ‘et al’ only for sources with more than four authors • Alphabetise by author’s surname • Italicise book titles and journal names (NOT article titles) • Include as much information as you can with website sources • Create a working bibliography • Choose ONE referencing style and stick to it throughout your work • Be consistent
Avoid.... Over-referencing • It can undermine your authority • Examiners can infer that you don’t have any of your own ideas • It affects your style of writing with sophistication
For more help… • Contact: monica.fernandes@brunel.ac.uk • Or see me during my consultation times at MJ 234 on: – Monday 11:00-12:00 or – Wednesday 14:00-15:00
• For more info about events or seminars follow me on Twitter...@ASKPolHist