- Be aware: If you don't already know, check with your tutor which referencing style you are expected to use.
- Be positive: used properly, references strengthen your writing, demonstrating that you have spent time researching and digesting material and produced your own opinions and arguments.
- Be decisive: about the best way to cite your sources and how you balance your use of direct quotations, paraphrasing and summarising (read about these in the introductory basic sections of Cite Them Right Online).
- Be organised: prepare well and keep a record of all potentially useful sources as you find them.
- Be prepared: read the suitable reference information before you begin your first assignment.
- Be consistent: once you have established the referencing style required, use it consistently throughout your pieces of work.
- Be patient: make time and take your time to ensure that your referencing is accurate.
- Be clear: clarify the type of source you are referencing and check Cite them Right Online for examples.
- Be thorough: check through your work and your references before you submit your assignment, ensuring that your citations all match with a full reference and vice versa.
For further information go to the University's iCite guide.
For help and support with referencing or other academic skills contact the Academic Skills Centre. For Researchers, contact the Research Skills Support Team.