Writing an assignment is a long and tedious task. It requires research and the use of ideas from books, articles, and websites. However, using these resources is just one part; giving them their due credit makes it complete. And most importantly, it helps avoid plagiarism. However, many students struggle with citing the sources properly. To get an easy way out, check out “do my assignment UK” services. Here, the experts will create a proper reference list for all the resources in no time. However, it is a key skill that every student should know and learn about. Hence, this article will show how to cite the sources correctly in a university assignment. Let’s understand all about citations:
Why Is It Important to Cite Sources?
There are three main reasons for citing a source:
- Firstly, credit be given to the original author.
- Next, to show that the paper is well-researched.
- Lastly, it helps the readers track the sources to look up more information.
Citing the work properly is very important; otherwise, it can lead to plagiarism, Which is a serious academic offence and can lead to consequences. Here is more information about it:
- Common citation styles: There are different kinds of citation styles. Each has a different purpose and formatting style. Here are the most common styles:
- APA (American Psychological Association) – This style is mostly common in the fields of social sciences, psychology and some subjects of humanities.
- Harvard: This citation is popular in many UK-based institutions.
- Chicago: This is most commonly used in history and some of the other arts subjects.
- MLA (Modern Language Association): This is most commonly used in areas like humanities and literature.
Each style is unique and designed for its specific field. They also have their own format for citing articles, books, websites and other sources.
- In-text vs Reference list: One uses in-text citations inside the writing. These are shorter versions of the actual citation. For example: (Author’s last name, year of publication). However, one adds the reference list or bibliography at the end of the paper. It includes the entire list of resources arranged in alphabetical order. It includes details like the author’s full name, publication year, the title of the work, the publishers and more. And each detail changes from one style to another.
- For Quotes: There is a specific way to include quotes within the paper. If it is short enough, then it can be added to the paragraphs themselves. And then add the in-text citations at the end. But if the quote is more than four lines, then put an indent and add it as a separate quote.
- Paraphrasing: This means rewriting or changing a few words here and there; this too requires citation. Even if you rephrase ideas in your terms, there is a need to acknowledge them. To make this task easier, one can also use a paraphrasing tool to reword or change the content.
Tips to cite correctly:
- The key is to make a draft of all the resources while researching. As one can lose them all while writing. Hence, labelling and keeping them aside is a must.
- Make sure the citation style is valid for the subject.
- Stick to the guidelines and the formatting style of the citations. For more information, check out online citation generators; these can help make this task simpler.
- Always practise with examples or look up the guidelines in case of confusion.
- Citing in an essay according to the theme is essential. These should not be random sources but the ones that add to the research. To learn how to write a thematic essay or cite them, get assistance from experts online.
Concision
Citing is a tricky task; it requires one to be precise and attentive. And many a time, a little error can make the citation invalid. Hence, using the proper format and tools is very important. As it shows that the student has honestly researched to get to the conclusion. So, next time, before asking the experts, “Can you help me do my assignment in the UK?” try using these tips. Learning how to cite is a key skill that will be helpful beyond academics.
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