HOW OFTEN SHOULD THE ESSAY BE REFERENCED?
how often should an essay be referenced?
Referencing essays can be difficult at university. How many references do you need? When is it appropriate to use a reference? Even if you don't have a direct quote, should you still use references? What is the limit of how many references you can use? You can lessen the stress of your essay writing by learning how to reference correctly. To make referencing your essay simpler, we've addressed a couple of these nagging issues, which should help make the process smoother.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF REFERENCING?
Incorporating references into your essay is the best opportunity to demonstrate to your reader that you have been involved with the subject. It's also crucial because it shows you have read all the important sources relating to your subject.
They also demonstrate that you have considered how each source relates to the subject matter you are writing about. The more useful references you list, the more knowledgeable you are about your subject. It's not just about quantities, however. Good sources that help your essay are worth mentioning.
Include a bibliography in your academic plan. Paying homage to the authors whose works you obtained information and inspiration is essential if you choose to further study and write about the subject you are studying or write about your work. A bibliography can also be a useful reference point that you can return to and refer to in future projects.
HOW MANY REFERENCES ARE TOO MANY?
It is possible to make use of too many references. You should not use references to display all the books you have read. This will make you look unprofessional and not impress your readers. It is important to select sources that are relevant to your essay. These should either support your argument, challenge it, or provoke interesting and pertinent questions.
Keep in mind that markers would also like to see evidence of your unique thinking. Utilising too many sources does not allow for your own personal perspective to be seen. As a rule of thumb, utilising one to three sources to back up each idea you present is recommended. It all depends on your topic, but it serves as a practical general guideline.
It is helpful to have a good practice analysis of your paper in order to assist you in deciding the number of references you should use. Here's a rough outline to help you find the perfect balance for any academic writing:
INTRODUCTION
Your introduction should account for about 10% of the total length of your essay. Depending on the length of your essay, it is possible to make use of two or three references to help define your topic within this portion.
BODY
The body of the essay (which should contain the main arguments) should account for roughly 75% of the total length of your piece. For instance, in an essay of 2000 words, you'll have 1500 words available. Every main point you present is usually a paragraph and should range from 200–400 words. This allows the space to write five main points, each backed by two or three references. Use primary or direct references when you can. Sometimes, you will require textual references, too.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion should account for approximately 15% of your essay. Including 3 or 4 references to provide authority for your final statements is possible. Of course, deciding the exact number of references you should incorporate in your essay is difficult. This is contingent on the subject and the word count.
A philosophy essay, for instance, could be filled with an abundance of critical thinking and be very theoretical-oriented. Therefore, you might require more sources than an average English Literature essay. Here's an example of where you will need to take into consideration the topic and subject.
WHEN SHOULD YOU MAKE USE OF REFERENCES?
References are not used only to credit quotations. They may be used to prove whether a concept, idea, or idea has been derived directly from a specific reference. Other situations where references should be utilised are:
Quotes
Diagrams
Illustrations
Charts
Pictures
and if you have taken any of the ideas or information from:
Websites
Essays
Books
Magazines
Newspapers
Television
Interviews
Radio
Music
Movies
Computer programs
Any external source
ESSAY WRITING TUTOR
Our essay writing tutors are experienced professionals with a wealth of knowledge and skills to help you achieve your academic goals. Whether you're struggling with research, organisation, or even the writing process itself, our tutors can offer personalized guidance to help you craft a clear, concise, and effective essay. Additionally, our tutors can provide valuable feedback to help you identify areas for improvement and refine your writing skills for future assignments. So if you're in need of some extra assistance with your essay writing, consider reaching out to our team at LAW TUTOR ♛ for expert tutoring and support.
