Referencing, Paraphrasing and Plagiarism

No one can write a paper without referring to what other writers have done previously.

This is the basis of referencing in academic writing. Referencing enhances a writer’s writing

skills and it shows research skills in a writer. The main sources of referencing are books, journal

articles and web sources. In referencing, a writer should be able punctuate his own ideas with

ideas from other authors/writers. The essence is for the writer to be creative enough and

incorporate ideas from other people to increase the quality of the research of the paper.

Journal articles are the most confused sources of reference among writers, yet they are

the most preferred in writing. Journal articles span from research work and its accompanying

presentation in seminars. Virtually, every discovery and research findings were first presented at

a seminar before a panel of experts. When the expert approves such findings, then its next step is

to be published in renowned journals.

Although not all, some owners of journal publication publish only peer reviewed journal

articles. Peer reviewing is a concept where a journal article is send to several experts in that field

for purposes of reviewing it for its accuracy, competence and authenticity. Once the paper is

positively reviewed, it is them published in the journals. It is important to note that some

instructions insist on peer reviewed journals. Writers are encouraged to have access to various

databases, where they will often search for sources for their writing. Local universities have

access to major journals where writers need to get access to them and use them often. There are

search options that will give you articles that have been peer reviewed only. A common

requirement is to use journal articles that are not less than 5 years old. Using old sources to write

on new research means the information may have been replaced by new information. Using the

most current sources is required in writing. Nevertheless, some historical concepts will need the
use of old sources. Suppose you are writing about the history of jazz music, then using a source

of 1970 will be fine. However, a research on mobile penetration level in Kenya will best be

addressed by a source of 2012, that a source of 1997.

When referencing web sources, it is important to ensure that the source is authentic. Not

every source that is posted on the web is authentic. Unlike books and journals articles that are

reviewed and written by professional, anybody can write create or post information on the

website. It is therefore recommended that web sources, from government, reputable

organizations or individuals should be referenced. Sources from Wikipedia, personal blogs and

question and answer websites are not allowed in formal writing. Information on Wikipedia can

be posted by anybody and unlike books that are edited and controlled by publishers or journals

that are reviewed. Never use Wikipedia.

Referencing has two sections, in-text citation and reference list. Each referencing style

has its format for the in-text citation and the reference list. The most referencing styles are APA,

MLA, Harvard, and Chicago/Turabian. You are supposed to know the differences between the

four in referencing a book, a journal article and a web source. Note also that different references

styles have different names for the referencing list. The reference page should be on its own page

and should be arranged alphabetically.

Plagiarism is stealing other people’s written information and making it your own.

It is the most unethical act in writing and it receives severe punishment when detected that range

from having to retake the entire course to an expulsion from the learning institution. A common

plagiarism practice among writers is to steal other peoples’ written work, paraphrase it (write in

own words) and present it as their work. Plagiarism is stealing someone’s ideas, not words, and

therefore, even if you steal ideas and write it in your own language, it is still plagiarism.