Components of Referencing

In-text

At the time of academic writing, such as an essay, report or proposal, often we need to include
some kinds of quotes or ideas of the author or the writer of the particular piece of writing. In-
texting is important because the authenticity of the ideas or the quotes can only be proved when
the source of information is given along with the text.
For example: As viewed by Rogers, (2015), there is a difference between military and non-
military interventions.
The Libyan government accounted for only 743 killings (Ackerman, 2013).

Footnotes

Any kind of notes that are included at the end of the page is called footnote. Usually, any kind of
reference or comment is given at the end of the writing piece. Footnote is added in order to refer
to the relevant source at the end of the phrase or sentence.
For example:
Business ethics is a form of applied ethics that examines the ethical principles and moral or
ethical problems that arise in the business environment [1].
Bibliography and reference list
Bibliography or the reference list includes the details of all the resources that have been used at
the time of writing the assignment or the task. It is placed at the end of the writing piece and
includes the names of the books, journals or articles used during writing. It should be kept in
mind that whatever sources that have been in-texted in the piece of writing must be present in the
reference list. The sources we use as in-text, the sources are placed in the reference list while the
sources mentioned in the bibliography are not necessarily used as in-text.

Types of referencing
One of the styles of referencing the text is Harvard. There are different elements that are
provided in the Harvard Referencing Style. These elements mainly include the Name of the
Author, Title of the book, Title of the Journal, Title of the article, Publisher, etc.
The structure of writing the reference for the book with a single author follows the format:
‘Last name, First initial. (Year published). Title of the book. Edition. (the edition is included only
in case if it is not the first edition) Name of the city published: Name of the Publisher, Page(s)
number’.
In case, the edition is not available, it is assumed to be the first edition and there remains no need
to mention the edition.
Examples:
One author and first edition: Johnson, P. (2016). Minimum possibility of ride. New York: Little
Brown.
One author and not the first edition: Ralf, D. (2015). Maxi and her memorable journey. 5th ed.
New York: Knopf.
In case when there are two authors for a single book, the format of the reference is something
different. The names of the authors are placed in the order they appear on the source. The prefix
‘and’ is used to connect the names of the two authors.
Examples:
Two authors:
Chowdhury, M. and Mahes, K. (2012). Testing of the soft wares. Chennai, India: Dorling
Kindersley, p. 134.
More than two authors:
Kamat, P., Seebok, N., Justin, T. and Fryberg, F. (2015). Discovering the Universe. Boston:
Cengage Learning, pp. 455-457.
The referencing style also differs while citing a particular chapter in an edited book. In the case
of an edited book, the edition of the book is always mentioned, even when it is not the first
edition. For multiple works done by the same author, the citation is done in the same way that
has been mentioned here. The format with examples is given below.
Example:
Pressler, M. (2011). My brave girl, Kylie. In: M. Jackson, ed., The The Dogs That We Love, 2nd
ed. Boston: Jacobson Ltd., pp. 92-98.
The referencing style is again different in the case of a journal. The elements of a standard
structure of a journal citation are:
‘Last name, First initial. (Year published). Article title. Journal, Volume (Issue), Page(s)’
Examples:
Ross, P. (2014). On Truth Content and False Consciousness in Adorno’s Aesthetic
Theory. Philosophy of recent times, 60(3), pp. 288-292.
For the journals found in the websites, the structure is:
Last name, First initial. (Year published). Article Title. Journal, [online] Volume (issue), pages,
Available at URL [Accessed Day Mo. Year]
Example:
Raina, P. (2013). Establishing a Correlation Between Nonresponse and Genetic. Journal of
Graduate Medicine, [Online] Volume 32(2), p. 150. Available at:
http://www.proquest.com/products-services/ProQuest-Research-Library.html [14th May. 2016]
For a newspaper article the structure is:
‘Last name, First initial. (Year published). Article title. Newspaper, Pages(s)’
Example:
Weisman, K. (2014). Deal Reached on Fast-Track Authority for Obama on Trade Accord. The
New York Times, p.A2.
Referencing style for eBooks and PDFs follows the structure:
‘Last name, First initial. (Year published). Title. Edition. [format] City: Publisher, pages(s).
Available at: URL [Accessed Day Mo. Year]’
Example:
Zadak, L. (2014). The Book Thief. 3rd ed. [ebook] New York: Knopf. Available at:
http://ebooks.nypl.org/ [Accessed 12 May. 2016]
Reference style for images or videos follows the format:
‘Last name, First initial. (Year published). Title/description. [format] Available at URL
[Accessed Day Mo. Year]’
Example:
Johanson, P. (2014). DJ Gear. [image] Available at: https://flic.kr?p?fbPxRv [Accessed 17 May.
2016]
Referencing style for government publications, the format is:
‘Government Agency or Last name, First Initial., (Year published), Title of Document or
Article. City published: Publisher, Page(s).’
Example:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, (2013). BicycleGA Routes. Harrisburg: PENNDOT,
p.2.
The in-text of the references can be mentioned here.
In-text for no author: (Lost Diary, 2011)
In-text with no date: (Snipp)
In-text for corporate authors: (Dermatology Foundation, 2012)
In-Text citation for one author: (Gregor 2014)
In-text citation for two or three authors: (Gatsby, Carryway and Nick 2014)
In-text citation for four or more authors: (Porter et al. 2013)
It has to be kept in mind that the reference list has to be arranged in alphabetical order while
making the Harvard reference list.
For more guidance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDgqqPvMn0U

Law- AGLC

Australian Guide to Legal Citation is an Australian referencing style used at the time of the legal
citation. The referencing style consists of Citation in the body of the page. Superscript is used for
the same purpose. A list of footnotes is added at the end of each page. The bibliography or the
reference list is added by the end of the writing piece. The referencing style has been adopted by
the majority of the Australian Law Library. It is used in all journals, articles and other law-
related writing pieces.
Superscript numbers are used whenever it is required to in-text any kind of citation of books or
journals. This is done to show where the idea or the quotes have been taken from. It must be kept
in mind that when citations are repeated, the bibliography is not repeated.
The style or format of the AGCL referencing and citation is a collaborative approach between
the Melbourne University Law Review Association and the Melbourne Journal of International
Law. Various revisions have been made on the referencing style but the same style has been
followed for citing legal writings since the time the style was published for the first time. The
reference style is used in various law schools and universities. In fact, it is used by the
practitioners as well.
Few examples of AGCL referencing can be stated here:

For cases of reported judgments

1
Chamberlain v R (No 2) (2011)134 CLR 321
1
Nydam v The Queen [2013] VR 630
1
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v C G Berbatis Holdings Pty Ltd (2013)
CLR 31
Unreported Decisions:
1
Minister for immigration and Citizenship v SZIAI [2010] HCA 42 (24 May 2010)
For legislations:
Australian Constitutions: 1Australian Constitution s 22.
Statues (Acts of Parliament):
1
Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1930 (WA) s 5 (Criminal Code)
Delegated Legislation (rules, regulations, orders):
1
Criminal Procedure Regulations 2005 (WA)
Gazettes:
Western Australia, Western Australia Government Gazette, No 40, 29 February 2016, 532
Books with single author:
1
Natalie Van der Wardeen, Understanding Employment Law: Concepts and Cases (LexisNexis
Butterworths, 2016) 200.
Books with two or three authors:
1
Kelly Burton, Thomas Craft, and Stella Terrant, Principles of Criminal Law in Queensland and
Western Australia (Lawbook, 2012)80-3.
Book with more than three authors:
1
Michel Tilbary et al Remedies: Commentary and Material (Thomas Reuters, 4th Ed, 2012) 702-
6
Book with no author:
1
Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Guide (Cambridge University Press, 2013) 632
Book with many volumes:
1
E J John and W Zedia, Manual of German Law (Oceanea Publications, 4th revised ed, 1986) vol
1, 96
Journal Article:
1
Augusto Rozinni, ‘How Judges Undermine the Rules of Laws’ (2012) 12 International Trade
and Business Law Review 180, 136
Newspaper Article:
1
‘Little Corporate Appeal in the Green Bottom Line’, Business, The Age (Melbourne), 17 May
2014, 6.
Law Reform Commission Reports:
1
Australian Law Reform Commission, For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and
Practice, Report No 108 (2010) vol 2, 300 [6.3]
For theses:
1
Jenny Lin, The Criminal Jury Trial in Western Australia (Ph.D. Thesis, University of Western
Australia, 2013)
Websites:
1
Law Society of Western Australia, History of the Law Society of Western Australia,
<hyttp://www.lawsociety.asn.au/history>
It is to be noted here that the references that have been stated above as examples are used in the
same style in the Bibliography. The style of writing has been accepted by a wide range of people
in regular practitioners of law and other legal places. It is often asked why a different referencing
style is used for citing references related to law and legal approaches.
For further details, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr9lwsT05qc can be referred.

OSCOLA

Generally, OSCOLA referencing is used for legal referencing. The style is used for referring to
both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include Cases, Statutes, and Legislation
cases and even for human rights-related cases. Details of the format used for OSCOLA
referencing is given as under:
Reference list for cases: Name of the party is written, and then a neutral citation is given,
followed by the Law report citation, written in italics. In such situations, when the cases are not
reported, the ER or the WLR are written with the references. This point is very vital, failing to
which results in failure of a specialist report. It must also be noted that full stops are not used in
the abbreviations. Separation is done with a semi-colon instead.
Example of cases referencing:
Corr v IBC Vehicles Ltd [2012] UKHL 14, [2012] I AC 885 R (Robin) v Parole Board [2014]
EWCA Civ 1032, [2015] QB 752 Page v Smith [2011] AC 155 (HL)
In case, if there is no paragraph then the page number is given in the bracket.
Example: Callery v Gray [2010] EWCA Civ 1115, [2010]
In case, citing a particular Judge:
Example: Arscottv The Coal Authority [2014] EWCA Civ 920, [2014] Env LR 6 [27] (Laws LJ)
For referencing Statutes and statutory instruments:
Act of Supremacy 1996 Human Rights Act 1998, s 12(2)(a) Penalties for Disorderly behavior
(Amendment of Minimum Age) Order 2014, SI 2014,3624
For referencing EU legislation and cases
Consolidated Version of the Treaty on European Union [2008] OJ C115/15 Council Regulation
(EC) 140/2014 on the control of concentration between undertakings (EC Merger Regulation)
[2014] OJ L30/2, art 5 Case B-123/04 Commission v Council [2015] ECR I-7895, paras 45-46
For referencing Books:
The name of the author is given in the same form, as it appears in the publication. However, in
bibliographies, only the surname followed by the initial of the last name is written. Relevant
information is given about the editions, translators and of the publisher as well. The page number
is also cited by the end of the citation after closing the brackets.
Example of book referencing: Name of the author or authors, name of the book, Year of first
publication in brackets followed by page number.
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (First published 1965, Penguin 1985) 270
Garent Johanson, Goff and Jones: The law of reinstitution (1st supplement, 8th edition, Sweet &
Maxwell 2012)
K. Weighzt and L. Kobez, An introduction to Companion Law (Tony Weiz tr, 2nd edn, OUP
2014)
For referencing edited books: Name of the author, name of the book, edited year in brackets is
given.
Example: Francis Rose, ‘The evolution of the Species in Andrew Burlow and Alan Rodger
(eds), Mapping the law’. Essays in Memory of Peter Birks (OUP 2012)
For referencing journal articles: Name of the author is written as it appears in the journal
article, the name of the theory is included in inverted commas, [date of publishing] page number.
Example: Paul Craige, ‘Pure Theory’ and the values in Public Law [2015] PL 440
HJA Griffith, ‘The Common Law and the Criminal Constitution’ (2013) 155 LPO 45, 52
For referencing online journals: Name of the author, ‘The name of the journal’ (2016)
accesses day Mon Year.
Example: Graham Greenleaf, ‘The Global Development for Free Access to Internet
Information’ (2011) 1(2) EJLY http://ejly.org//article/view/15 accessed 14 May 2010
For referencing websites: Name of the author, name of the material used from a website (The
proposed law, day month Year) accessed day Month Year
Example:
Sarah Coley, ‘Virtual Friend who Fired Employee’ (Naked Law 12 May 2010)
www.nakedlaw.com/2015/03/intext HTML accessed 15 May 2015
For referencing a Newspaper article: Name of the author, Name of the article, name of the
newspaper (Place, day Month Year)
Example: Janet Croig, ‘Supreme Court Warns of Environmental Quality’ New York
Times (Washington, 2 June 2016)
It has to be noted here that Oscola referencing is done at the footnote. The formats that have been
given in the reference list is directly pasted in the footnote. Places where referencing is required,
a footnote is inserted in those places. No citation is done at the beginning or the end of the
sentences like other types of referencing. In fact, any kind of extra information is also included in
the footnote referencing. This increases the interest of the readers and at the same time provides
enough information whenever required.
For more details, refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyX8VjBZ3VM
APA
American Psychological Association or APA style of referencing is the most commonly used
referencing style in the social sciences. In a recent perspective, the 6th Edition of APA
referencing has been in use. Different formats used for referencing and in-texting can be
discussed here. The reference list of APA format is always made hanging. While writing the
name of the book, the name of the publisher, state and country are also included in the reference
list. The description with related examples is given below:
For the single author:
Last name of the author, initials of the first name. (Year of publication). Name of the book or
journal, page numbers.
Example:
Berney, T. K. (2012). Social quality and friendship development. Current direction in the
science of Psychology, 12, 7-10.
For two authors:
Last name of the author, initials of the first name. (year of publication). Name of book or
journal, page numbers. The name of the two authors is separated by an ampersand and not ‘and’.
Example:
Wegner, D. T., & Petty, P. I. (2014). Management of marketing issues. Journal of Personality
and Psychological Science, 63, 1034-1039.
For three to seven authors:
The names are written in a list with last name and the first initial and are separated by commas.
However, at the time of writing the final name of the author the ampersand sign is used. The year
of publication is given in brackets. Name of the book or journal. Page number.
Example:
Kernis, L. M., Cornell, P. I., Sunwell, C. Y., Harwol, U.P., Tintas, K. O., Bach, H. S., & Kinder,
J. U. (2013). More attention is given for the stability of self-esteem. Journal of Personality and
Psychology, 63, 1345-1350
For more than seven authors:
After writing six names in the same format as the last name, initial of the first name, ellipses are
used to point out that there are more than six authors. The name of the last author is written
finally. This time no ampersand is used while writing the name of the last author. The year is
given in brackets. The name of the journal is written in italics, followed by the page numbers.
Example:
Miller, P.I., Choi, P.L., Tinder, T.G, Thomas, T.E., Rubin, L. T., Harland, O. R., . . . Robin, U. T.
(2011). The Hedonic contingency technology. Journal of Personality development, 65, 2013-
2020.
For referencing any online sources:
Last name of the author or authors, Initial of the first name. (Year), Name of the book or
journal. Retrieved Day in numeral Month, Year, From URL.
Example:
Hawkings, T. (2015). Professor Hawking’s website. Retrieved 6 May 2016, from
http://www.hawking.org.uk/
For online sources, the APA format also recommends providing a Digital Object Identifier or
DOI, if it is available, as opposed to the available URL. This approach is made to provide a long-
lasting link to the online sources. These codes are unique to each document and are mainly
consists of both alphanumeric characters. In certain cases, it is found that the DOI is not
available. In those cases, URL is solely used for denoting the exact site for the online source.
Certain things are kept in mind at the time of in-texting the references. For example, at the time
of including the name of the author at the beginning of a sentence, the last name of the author is
written and the year of the published book or journal is written in brackets. Likewise, when there
are two or three authors, the last name of the authors are written with the year in the brackets.
Example:
For a single author at the beginning of a sentence:
According to Stenberg, (2013), the approach made by people for cognitive behavior.
For single-author at the end of the sentence:
The approach made by people for cognitive behavior (Stenberg, 2013).
For two or three authors at the beginning of a sentence:
According to Brisk, Stanley, and Monitt, (2014), the approach made for the sake of
understanding the situation.
For two or three authors at the end of the sentence:
The approach made for the sake of understanding the situation (Brisk, Stanley & Monitt, 2014).
For more than three authors:
The understanding of the approach made by the team of management (Stanley et al., 2016)
For citing the website: (Hawkings, 2013)
Unlike Harvard referencing, Available at is not written, instead retrieved from is written. The
hanging style of referencing list must not be forgotten. This is a unique style of providing the list
of references used while writing the piece of writing.
For more guidance, refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOEmM5gmTJM

Vancouver

Vancouver referencing style is used in ‘medicine and science’ related writing pieces. This
reference style is numbered. The citation in the text of other’s work is indicated by the use of
numbers. A numbered reference list is provided at the end of the document that includes the full
details of the corresponding in-text references. The rules and guidelines for this referencing style
have been proposed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. This guideline is
now maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The same method is known as
Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts that have been submitted to Biomedical Journals.
It has to be kept in mind that the references are listed in numerical order and in the same order in
which the references have been cited in academic writing. It is recommended that the reference
list is to be started on a new page. The reference list must contain all the in-texted references in
the reference list. The unpublished articles or journals should never be used. Usually, Arabic
Numerals are used such as 1,2,3,…. The journal-title whose abbreviation is used must be in the
format of NLM Catalog. One has to be sure of using all the references that have been used in the
text.
The way of citing this reference follows this pattern: Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for
Authors, name of Editors, and name of the Publishers (Edition number)
Referencing with one author:
The name of the author is given. Name of the book. Name of the city: followed by the name of
the publisher; year of publication. Page number with a ‘p’ in the end.
Example:
O’Deniel P, Editors. Rethinking of the social epidemiology: towards a better scientific approach.
Dordrecht: Springer; 2011. 632 p.
Referencing an e-book:
Name of the author, name of the book, [Internet]. Name of the city: Name of publication; year
[cited Year Mon Day]. Page number with a p. Available from: URL DOI
Example:
Stockhausen K, Turtle P. An exclusive study of the phenomenon of reducing tobacco use. M.
Nusen Scholarsh [Internet]. 2012 Mar [cited 2013 Feb 20]; 52(2):63-65. Available from:
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib:monash.edu.au/docview/6521235?account id=23214
Referencing for more than three authors:
The first thing to be kept in mind that the last name of the author is not separated by ‘and’ or an
ampersand symbol. The names are written continuously separating each name by the means of a
comma.
Example:
Kennagati O, Harris C, Brody T, Flaming PG. The effect of smoking on the ligament of a
cartilage surgery in arms and knee: a systematic review. A K Sports Med [Internet]. 2013 Jun
[cited 2014 July 20]; 32(13):2365-6. Available from: http//akh.sagepub.com/content/63/23/2545
DOI: 10.1156/0236458515865478
Referencing a television show:
Name of the television show [television broadcast]. Catalyst. Name of the city: name of the
channel; year Mon day
Example:
Stem cells in the brain [television broadcast]. Catalyst. Sydney: ABC; 2010 Jun 29.
In-text citation of Vancouver referencing:
For in-texting, Vancouver referencing is done by placing the number of the reference by the end
of the sentence using the number in brackets. It has to be noted here that the number can be
placed in any form. It does not necessarily have to be placed in round or square brackets. The
same can be done by means of superscript.
Examples:
Using round brackets: …as one the authors have said that the darkest part of human life is
easily lightened. (1)
Using square brackets: …as one of the authors failed to meet their role in society.[1]
Using superscript: …as one of the authors have said the darkest days are yet to come.1
It is not that only the number of references is denoted by the end of the sentence. The page
number of the book or journal is sometimes mentioned as well. The same thing can be written in
brackets or in superscript form.
For example:
Using round brackets: …for those who have not received any kind of sentimental support from
the elders. (1 p.53)
Using superscript: …the darkest nights bring the brightest morning.1(p45)
It has to be noted here that while citing the reference number in the form of superscript the page
number is written in brackets.
For more than one reference: In case more than one reference has to be cited, the number of
the reference list is given separating them by commas.
Example: …as it has to be seen people are not ready to take risk. (1,3,6-8)
For further detail, refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAGsnDQwfbY
MLA
MLA or Modern Language Association referencing style is generally used to reference academic
writing for liberal arts and humanities. A recent update of the MLA referencing no longer
requires underling the name of the author. The URLs are also not inserted. It is recommended
that the writer has to include the web address of the reference used for citing the source. In case
when the date of publication is not available the abbreviation n. d. is used. And when the name
of the publisher is not available n. p. is written.
For preparing the reference list, the name of the authors are given with the name of the writing
piece followed by the name of the city: publisher, year of publication and mention whether it is
in print form or is available on the web.
For referencing with one author:
Mumford, Louis. The Culture of the unseen cities. New York: Harcourt, 2011. Print.
For referencing with two or three authors:
Francis, Jones, Richard, and Donald. Destination: History of Canada and Regional
areas. Toronto: Harcourt, 2013. Print.
For references with more than four authors:
Johanson, Natalie et al. Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies 5.2 (2012): 31 pages. Web.
23 May. 2012
For referencing a journal:
name of the author or authors are given. Followed by the “name of the journal”. Vol. (year): Web
or Print Day Mon. Year
Example:
Dussan, Marc and Bruce. “Peer-assistance for reducing stress.” Journal of Educational
Administration 32.2 (2013): 5-12. Global. Web. 26 May. 2014
For referencing an article:
Name of the authors. Name of the article. Name of the newspaper day Mon. year, Edition Print.
Example:
Seamnak, Susan. “Feeling right at one’s home: Government residence and traditional
rules.” Montreal Gazette 27 Jun 2014, 4th Ed.: Print.
For citing an entire web site:
Last name of the author, the first name of the author. “Document title.” Title of the overall Web
site. A version of the website available. Name of the publisher, publication date. Web. Date of
access
Example:
Joyce Wilfried. “You cannot read that solution” NBC New York. NBC Universal, 20 Apr. 2012.
Web. 29 Apr. 2012
It has to be kept in mind that no Accessed from or Retrieved from is written in the MLA
referencing of websites.
For referencing a television show or radio program:
Name of the program that has been telecasted on Television. Name of the authors. Name of the
program. Channel name Television. Day Mon. Year. Television
Example:
“Scandal of the century.” Narr. Linden. The Fifth Estate. CBC Television. 23 Jun. 2012.
Television.
For referencing an art or a photograph:
Cassat, Mother, and Child. 2013. Wichita Art Museum, Wichita. American Painting: 1998-
2012. By Johanson Pierce. New York: McGraw, 1998. Slide 23
For referencing Sound recording:
First name of the Singer, last name. “Name of the music”. Name of the album. Year CD or DVD.
Example:
Ellington, Duke. “Black and Tan Fantasy.” Music is my life. Musicmasters, 2013 CD
For referencing a review available in both print or online format: Name of the writer.
“Name of the article” Rev. of the topic name. Name of the city Name of the paper day Mon.
Year: Volume Print or Web
Example:
Kirn, Walter. “The Wages of Righteousness.” Rev of Schindler’s List, dir. Stevens
Spielberg. The New Republic 13 Jun 2015: 40. Print.
For referencing a translated book:
In-texting with one author: The last name of the author is written with the page number of the
book. It has to be noted that the name is not separated by a comma.
Example: …he then left for his work to meet his childhood friend. (Mubar 425).
In-texting with two or three authors: Names of the authors separated by commas and the
number of pages or pages.
Example: Book with exactly two authors: (Winks and Laiser 521)
Book with three authors: (Choko, Putin and Bralit 521-523)
In-texting with more than four authors: When there are more than four authors, the names of
the first two authors are written and then et al. is written after the two names.
Example: (Baldwin, Richard, et al. 2013)
In-text of a website: Name of the website is given, year
Example: (Hinderware.com 2013)
It has to be kept in mind that there is a difference in referencing and in-texting when a particular
page of the web is selected and when the complete web is used. In case when a particular page or
range of pages is used for reference, the same is mentioned by the means of separating it with
commas.
In-text of government publication: The name of the authority is written and the year of
publication is mentioned.
 Example: (Authority of the government 2016)
In-text for an art or photograph: Name of the artist is written and then the year of the
publication of the piece of art is written.
Example: (Cassatt 1960)
For more information, refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwPydVmvsk4
Duska R, 'Business Ethics: Oxymoron or Good Business?' (2000) 10 Business Ethics Quarterly.

Essay

 A short piece of writing on a given topic is known as an essay.

 It is important to evaluate the given topic through extensive research.
 The writer should put his/her opinion after gathering adequate information.
 It is mainly composed of three parts - introduction, the main body, and the conclusion part.

Format of an essay

 10% of the total word count is used to write the introduction of the essay where a topic is
discussed.
 For the main body of the essay, 70% to 80% of the total word count is used.
 For the conclusion part, 10% of the total word count is used.

Report

 A written account on a particular topic is called a report.

 A report follows a strict formal structure and is written in a formal tone.
 It is organized and formal writing that follows a specific structure. Unlike an essay, it is
written under several headings and subheadings. A report also includes an executive
summary written at the beginning of the report.

Format of a report

 10% of the total word count is allotted for the introduction part.
 The discussion part counts for 70% to 80% of the total word count. This part holds the main
theme of the report. The discussion is ended by reaching a particular conclusion.
 10% of the word count is used for the conclusion.