Direct Quotation
A direct quotation is where you extract the exact words from an article and include these in your assignment as part of your critical argument. It is important that you use citation marks at the start and end of the direct quotation. It is also crucial that you provide the in-text reference details for all your quotations too.
As a general rule direct quotations should not total more than 10% of your assignment word count.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a deliberate copying of someone else’s work and presenting it as your own without any reference details or source acknowledgement.
Engagement with resources
It is important to engage with the sources you are including in your assignment. In this example, the author’s main arguments are being summarised. Phrases such as ‘according to…’, introduce a critical response.
It is important that in academic assignments citations should not replace our argument but complement it. Using a direct quotation as a single statement without being introduced nor evaluated, is not appropriate.
Referencing styles
There are various referencing styles, with Harvard being one. A referencing style refers to how you format your sources, from books to articles, lectures to emails. For more information, you can find a list of FAQs here.
It is important to use either Harvard or APA referencing style to refer to all your in-text and end-text references. The referencing style with vary depending on your subject, and your Instructor will provide further details at the start of your module.
