Referencing Guide
for Academic Success
Understand why referencing is crucial and how to do it right using MLA8 style.
Why is Referencing Important?
- Avoiding Plagiarism
- Building Academic Credibility
- Providing Evidence for Claims
- Acknowledging the Work of Others
Understanding and using correct referencing is essential in academic work. It demonstrates research efforts, maintains academic integrity and allows others to verify your sources. Referencing also upholds ethical standards by avoiding plagiarism – intentionally or unintentionally presenting another’s work as your own.
NLCS Jeju’s Expectation: All students must use full and correct referencing in their work. If unsure, students should consult their teacher about when referencing is required.
NLCS Jeju Referencing Requirements
NLCS Jeju requires the MLA8 style, following Purdue OWL guidelines with one key modification: dates are required in citations.
Referencing Style
1. Quoting
Use quotes (“ ”) for the source’s exact wording, integrating them into your writing. Keep quotes brief.
2. Paraphrasing
Summarise the source in your own words without using quotes. Avoid minimal word changes; your paraphrase should show a deeper understanding.
3. Citations
Include the author’s surname, date, and page or timestamp in brackets. Example: (Min, 2001, p. 89).
4. Works Cited (References)
A complete list of all sources cited in your work.
All citations must link to a reference and vice versa.
5. Bibliography
A list of background research sources not directly cited. Sources used within your work should only be in the Works Cited list.
Any references that have citations in your work must go in the works cited list, not the bibliography.
Formatting Checklist
This formatting should be followed if your teacher has not asked for a specific format for your citations and references.
During Research
◻ Are all of my quotes correct (unchanged from the source)?
◻ Is my paraphrased information different enough from the source to be classed as a summary in my own words?
◻ Am I keeping track of where my sources come from as I go (referencing software/reference document)?
In the Body of Your Work
◻ Are all of my quotes in quotation marks?
◻ Do all of my quotes/paraphrased information/figures, etc. have citations or figure numbers?
◻ Are all of my citations complete e.g. (surname, date, page number/timecode)?
At the End of Your Work
◻ Is my reference list included in the word count?
◻ Do I need a bibliography as well as a works cited list?
◻ Do all my citations have matching references?
◻ Are my references complete according to the formatting guidelines for that type of source?
◻ Are my references organised in alphabetical order and formatted according to the examples provided?
NLCS Jeju: A Guide to Citations and Bibliography Building in MLA8 Style
Citation Generators
While citation generators can be helpful tools, students must use them ethically and responsibly.
Guidelines for responsible use
1. Understand the Basics
Before using a citation generator, students should learn how to manually create citations to understand the elements involved.
2. Verify Accuracy
Always double-check generated citations against official MLA 8 guidelines, as generators can produce errors.
3. Avoid Over-Reliance
Use generators as aids, not as replacements for understanding.
4. Acknowledge Limitations
Recognise that citation generators may not handle all source types correctly or adhere to specific school requirements.
NLCS Jeju Libraries 