Academic Writing Guide
(PART 2: Citing and Referencing).
Citation
It is imperative to give credit to the author(s) of ideas and interpretations. You cite to recognize
their labours, but also to provide a solid theoretical basis for your own argument(s). Your paper
or ideas will gain credibility if they are supported by the work of respected writers.
When paraphrasing an idea or interpretation you must ensure that your writing is not too
closely derived from the original, and you must also acknowledge the original author. Avoid
plagiarism i.e., copying an idea or statement and pretending it is yours!
Transparent sources allow you to situate your work within the debates in your field, and to
demonstrate the ways in which your work is original. It also gives your reader the opportunity
to pursue a topic further, or to check the validity of your interpretations.
Referencing
Be meticulous when taking notes: include full citation details for all the sources you consult
and remember to record relevant page numbers. There are numerous different referencing
systems in use across the University.
MLA style and APA Style are most used in the Humanities and Social Sciences: Literature,
Linguistics, Languages, Psychology, Education, etc.
Others include Chicago notes and bibliography in history.; Chicago author-date in the
sciences; Turabian style developed upon Chicago style; Harvard style; Vancouver
style, etc.
Citation practice varies but, depending on the type of text cited (book, conference paper,
chapter in an edited volume, journal article, e-print, etc.) the elements of a and their syntax is
as follows:
Author Surname, First name or Initials, Year of Publication (brackest are optional), Title of
article/book/journal/conference, page numbers, Place of publication: Publisher or URL and
date accessed.
a) 2 books by a single author. Author Surname, First name or Initials. Year. Book
Title: Subtitle. Place of publication: Publisher.
b) 1 book by 2 more authors. Author Surname, First name, 2nd Author First name,
Surname, et al. Year. Book Title: Subtitle. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Examples: Can you Identify books, journals, book chapters and reports from the list below?
Blackledge, A. and A. Creese, (2010). Multilingualism: a Critical Perspective, London,
Continuum.
ACADEMIC WRITING GUIDE: PART 2: CITING AND REFERENCING
Mbaabu, Ireri. (1985). Kiswahili: Past, Present and Future Horizons, Jomo Kenyatta
Foundation. Nairobi.
Republic of Kenya. (1976). Report of the National Committee on Educational Objectives and
Policies. The Gachathi Report, Government Printer. Nairobi.
Kachru, Yamuna, (1989). ‘Code-mixing, Style Repertoire and Language Variation: English in
Hindu Poetic Creativity.’ World Englishes 83.
Githiora, Chege, (2002). ‘Sheng: Peer Language, Swahili Dialect or Emerging Creole?’ 2002.
in Journal of African Cultural Studies JACS, University of London SOAS, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp.
159-183.
Githiora, Chege, (2018). Sheng: Rise of a Kenyan Swahili Vernacular (2018). 220pp+xiv,
London: James Currey. ISBN 978-1-84701-227-2.
Parsons, Timothy. 1997. ‘Kibra is our blood’: The Sudanese Military Legacy in Nairobi’s
Kibera Location. 1908-1968’, in The International Journal of African Historical Studies, Vol.
30. No. 1 1997 pp 87-122.
Gayle H. Martin. 2013. Education and Health Services in Kenya Data for Results and
Accountability: Service Delivery Indicators, July 2013, The World Bank. Accessed January
10, 2018: www.SDIndicators.org , www.worldbank.org/SDI
Task: Write references (of your own interest) for:
c) 2 books by a single author. Author Surname, First name or Initials. Year. Book
Title: Subtitle. Place of publication: Publisher,
d) 1 book by 2 more authors. Author Surname, First name, 2nd Author First name,
Surname, et al. Year. Book Title: Subtitle. Place of Publication: Publisher.
e) 2 journal articles.
f) 2 book chapters.
g) 2 internet sources/references.
ACADEMIC WRITING GUIDE: PART 2: CITING AND REFERENCING