Study Support Session Krissie Smith

Harvard referencing Do not use numbered footnotes. Go to the original source and cite it from that source. If you use Google Books and can’t find the details, use Amazon’s ‘peek’. If you can’t find out the author for a reference, just write Unknown or title of the webpage and n.d. if you can’t find the date – don’t stress about it and waste time trying to find out. Any information that you read and put into your own words (paraphrasing), you need to cite (Smith, 2019) and put the full reference in your reference section. “How to reference a quote within your essay” (Smith, 2019, p.6) or a website (World Health Organisation, 2019). Aim for one quote per paragraph – something that backs up your point or adds new interesting information. Use a maximum of two lines of a quote or use ellipsis … Citethisforme.com Put your references list at the end in alphabetical order

Harvard referencing example Students commencing university often lack the writing, reading and research skills necessary to complete assessment tasks. These skills need to be developed over time (Veit & Gould  2010).  Learning the skills of note-taking and paraphrasing are vital if students are to avoid plagiarism in their writing. Veit and Gould (2010, p. 158) emphasise the importance of ‘using your own words and your own style’ when paraphrasing. There are many different strategies available to students regarding note-taking and paraphrasing. Veit and Gould (2010) suggest a useful strategy to avoid unintentional plagiarism is to rewrite important information in your own words at the time of reading. Students should remember to always record the full details of sources in their notes. Sources can then be accurately acknowledged in the text and in the list of works cited at the end of their paper.

Research skills How to Google effectively. Use words from the essay question itself e.g. analysis of Single Ladies music video, best examples of contemporary dance in music videos, how does…etc, brief history of... Go to Google videos tab to watch videos which give an understanding quickly. Use Wikipedia to gain overall knowledge then go to specific sources listed to further understanding and use those in your references – not Wikipedia. Boolean search terms – AND – e.g. Single AND Ladies AND Beyonce. Use Google Books and search for terms within the texts in search engine on left hand side of the screen. Use the CA library. Talk to Cassia about taking out books and take photos of pages which are useful (and the pages needed to reference it).

Writing the essay/blog post Do a plan. This is critical to knowing where you are going with it and that you have met all of the expectations. Use Mind Maps (coggle.it) or set yourself a series of questions to answer. Highlight the important words in the question to ensure you are answering what is expected of you. What are the key points you need to make? Stay on point. With low word limits, each word is precious. Read it aloud and get others to proofread your work. Keep track of your research so that you don’t waste hours backtracking. Set yourself goals – e.g. research done by 20.10.19, referencing done by 30.10.19. Article 1 complete by 01.11.19. Come and see me on Tuesdays – I want to help you succeed.