Skip to Main Content

2. Referencing Guide: In-text Referencing

The St Clare's College Referencing Guide follows the Harvard Referencing Style

What is in-text referencing?

In-text references or citations are used to acknowledge the ideas or the work of others. They enable the reader to differentiate between your writing and other people’s work.  

The in-text reference consists of the author surname(s) in the order that they appear on the actual publication, followed by the year of publication of the source that you are citing. Page numbers can also be included for direct quotations.

The full details of your in-text references must be included in a reference list/bibliography.

Using in-text referencing

Include an in-text reference when your work has been influenced by someone else's ideas or writing, for example:

  • when you directly quote someone else's work or
  • when you paraphrase someone else's work.

When you’re using external sources in your writing, you need to consider whether the author’s exact words (a direct quotation) or the author’s ideas in your own words (a paraphrase) is the best form of citation.

Direct Quotations

Direct quoting involves using the exact wording used by the original author(s) in their work; this is indicated by “double quotation marks.” 
Use direct quotations:

  • If the quotation is well known
  • If you can not word it better than the original author
  • Where the exact words of an authority support your ideas
  • When you want to give the author’s exact position.

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing involves rewriting the ideas expressed by someone using different words.
Use paraphrasing:

  • When you want to change the emphasis of the ideas to match your own context
  • To assist readers by explaining difficult concepts or terminology
  • To avoid overuse of direct quotations
  • To demonstrate your understanding of the author's ideas.

Author or information prominent

Placement of in-text referencing can be important depending on the emphasis you wish to apply.
 
  • If you want to quote or paraphrase an author and want to emphasise the author, then your in-text reference becomes 'author prominent'. 
The citation will look something like this: 
Jones (2020) has concluded that... 
 
  • If you want to emphasise the information you have paraphrased or quoted from an author, then your in-text reference becomes 'information prominent'. 

The citation will look something like this:

... as evidenced from a recent Australian study (Jones, 2020).

 
Be careful not to over quote or paraphrase.

A paper composed mostly of direct quotations and paraphrased information from others may be seen as too dependent on its sources. Even though each quotation and paraphrased sentence might be referenced correctly, readers still want to hear your own 'voice.’ 

It is always important to explain the significance of the quotation/paraphrased information in your writing. What does it add to your point of view or argument?