Citing your sources (also called referencing) is an essential part of your academic work and is explained fully on our library referencing webpage.
If you are a student in English Literature, Drama or Creative Writing, you will need to use the MHRA referencing style in your assignments, projects and dissertation.
Check the guide Reference with MHRA which shows you how to create footnotes and bibliographies, and how to reference different types of sources.
How do I use sources in my written work?
Academic writing involves developing the skills of finding your own voice while also drawing on sources written by others. The resources below offer some practical tips. You can also book a tutorial with staff from the Centre for Academic Development who can advise you on using your sources in your academic writing.
- Bitesize video 5: What is paraphrasing and how do I use it?
- Cite Them Right Setting out quotations and Paraphrasing
- Centre for Academic Development Writing with sources and Paraphrasing
- How to use your reading in your essays by Jeanne Godfrey (print & eBook) has lots of advice on putting readings into your own words.
- Moodle: Academic Integrity - self-directed course
- Study skills: Writing essays, reports and other assignments: list of other useful online resources & books.
Check the MHRA guide for How to set out quotations in your written work.
Can I use referencing and AI tools?
Tools on LibrarySearch
- Use the Share option in LibrarySearch to copy a direct link to the item and email it to yourself or save it.
- The Cite option allows you to copy a citation formatted in a range of referencing styles. However the MHRA style IS NOT INCLUDED. The nearest style is MLA but you would need to edit it before putting it in your written work.
- Use the Save to save the item to your account on LibrarySearch. Click on the Save button next to each item, then sign in to your account. After signing in, click on Saved Items to see the items you just saved. Click on Create List and give the list a name. If you already have a list, click on the Move option to add items to it. You can sign in to your account at any time to see your saved Personal Lists.
EndNote and other referencing tools
- Endnote is a tool for storing and organising your references, and it will also work with Word or Pages to create a fully formatted bibliography from your reference library. Oxford Brookes Library offers guides, support and training with EndNote.
- Google Scholar and many databases offer options for formatting references in a particular style. There are also many other referencing tools and apps available but be aware that even if they offer an MHRA style, you should always check the results and amend them if needed.
Gen AI and referencing - the good and the bad
Take care when using chat tools as they will often invent plausible but non-existent references. These tools don’t carry out a search of the literature for you and they may generate references using real people, journals & words from titles, but which do not exist.
There are other AI tools like Research Rabbit, Keenious and SciSpace which are designed to help you to find literature and understand how different sources relate to each other. To find out more, check the Library page Use AI tools for research
