The Coventry University Guide to Referencing in Harvard Style

INTEGRATING SOURCES

 

There are four main techniques for integrating sources into an academic argument:

 

• Quoting

• Paraphrasing

• Summarising

• Critiquing

 

QUOTING CONVENTIONS

 

What is a (direct) quote?

 

Quoting is one of the simplest ways of integrating research sources into writing. Using a direct quote means giving the exact words used in a source. Direct quotes should be introduced and explained to show how they are relevant to the argument a writer is making. Direct quotes should only be used occasionally, and short quotes should be preffered to long ones (see examples below); within an academic paper, quoting should be balanced with paraphrasing, summarising and critique to demonstrate that the writer can integrate research into their own argument in different ways and to show evidence of critical thinking.

 

How to acknowledge direct quotes in your writing

 

In-text citations

 

1. Short direct quotes (less than 40 words)

 

Place short quotes in either double or single quotation marks and be consistent throughout your document. Single quotations marks are preferred. Add an in-text citation appropriate to the type of source you are using.

 

Examples

Higgins argues that landfill sites are ‘not cost efficient’ (2005: 68).

It has been argued that landfill sites are 'not cost efficient' (Higgins 2005: 68).

 

2. Long direct quotes (more than 40 words)

 

Indent quotations longer than 40 words and leave a space before and after the quoted passage. Add an in-text citation appropriate to the type of source you are using. Do not use quotation marks; the indentation and in-text citation at the beginning or end are sufficient to indicate that the passage is a quote.

 

Example

It is commonly agreed that

 

Explicit indication of the sources of information and ideas is one of the characteristics of academic writing in Britain and in many other countries, but not all. Explicit referencing of sources distinguishes academic writing from other types of writing, including newspapers, novels, and much workplace writing. Academic writers show where they got the information or ideas for their texts through referencing systems [...]. (Deane 2006:4)

 

Deane (2006:4) goes on to point out that the Harvard Style is only one of the numerous styles academic writers can use to acknowledge sources in their documents.

 

Reference

 

Format the corresponding entry in the List of References following the appropriate guidelines for each type of source paraphrased.