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Module 10: Academic Proofreading: Referencing And Citations
References and citations are an integral part of academic writing. They allow the writer to showcase their research and understanding of a topic while clearly acknowledging any words or ideas that belong to someone else. When proofreading academic writing, it’s essential to understand how references and citations work.
How This Module Works
There are a lot of different referencing styles out there. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of learning them all, we’ve got some good news for you: You don’t need to! Being aware of the variations between systems is enough – and that’s where this module comes in. When you need to check a specific detail, you can simply refer back to these lessons or other reliable resources.
Lesson 10.1: An Introduction To Academic Referencing
Find out exactly what academic referencing is and why it’s so important.
Lesson 10.2: Harvard Referencing
Learn the ins and outs of Harvard referencing, a style often used in universities (particularly in the UK and Australia).
Lesson 10.3: APA Referencing
Take an in-depth look at APA referencing. While most common in the social and behavioral sciences, this system is popular in many subject areas.
Lesson 10.4: MLA Referencing
Explore another major referencing style – MLA. This is widely used in academic writing, especially the humanities.
Lesson 10.5: Chicago And Turabian Referencing
Get an overview of two styles that are popular in academic writing and publishing: Chicago and Turabian.
Lesson 10.6: IEEE Referencing
Find out what LaTeX files are and how to work with this technical document type. Then, explore the answers to some frequently asked questions about academic proofreading.
Lesson 10.7: Other Referencing Styles
Dip into a variety of other referencing styles, including MHRA, ASA, and AMA. Then, review the special rules for some unusual source types such as classical and holy texts.
Lesson 10.8: Common Referencing Issues And Questions
Take a look at our guide to common issues you may encounter while working with references and citations. Plus, read our answers to some academic referencing FAQs.
Lesson 10.9: Module Quiz
Recap what you’ve learned in this module with a 15-question quiz.
Learn About The Full Course

Why Are References and Citations Important?
There are many reasons why using references and citations correctly is important. Doing so allows a writer to:
✓ Demonstrate their commitment to researching and understanding a topic
✓ Provide additional evidence to support their ideas and arguments
✓ Avoid the risk of plagiarism by giving clear credit to other people’s work and ideas
Academic plagiarism can have some very serious consequences, from losing marks on an assignment to long-term reputational damage. Whether proofreading your own academic work or a client’s, an understanding of these issues is essential.
Learn How to Use References and Citations
Can’t get enough of referencing and citations? You’re in the right place! Visit our blog to read guides to some of the major citation styles (as well as some not-so-well-known ones).
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