What is a text reference?
The most common understanding of that term is a statement of the place (book, article, website, or ??) where you got some information that you used in a quotation or a paraphrase.
These text references need to appear in two places in a paper, as this webpage explains: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/research/MLA.html
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A text reference, also known as a citation or a reference, is a statement that provides information about the source of information used in a quotation or a paraphrase. It helps the reader locate and verify the original source of the information.
To create a text reference, you need to include certain details about the source such as the author's name, the title of the work, the publication date, and other relevant information depending on the referencing style being used (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago). These details can vary, so it's important to follow the specific guidelines of the chosen referencing style.
In academic writing, text references serve two main purposes:
1. In-text citations: These are brief references within the body of your paper that point the reader to a complete reference in the reference list or bibliography at the end of the paper. In-text citations typically include the author's name and the page number where the information was found (e.g., (Smith, 2019, p. 25)).
2. Reference list or bibliography: This is a detailed list of all the sources referenced in your paper. The reference list provides sufficient information for readers to locate the original source. The format of the reference list will depend on the chosen referencing style and may include elements like the author's name, title, publication date, publisher, and URL (for online sources).
When including text references, it is important to be consistent and accurate in citing your sources. Plagiarism, which is the act of using someone else's work or ideas without proper acknowledgment, can have serious consequences. Therefore, it is essential to give credit to the original authors by properly citing their work.
To ensure accurate and proper citations, it is recommended to consult the guidelines of the specific referencing style you are using. Many online resources, such as the webpage you mentioned (http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/research/MLA.html), provide detailed information and examples on how to format text references according to different referencing styles.