Media Practice

Coventry University Harvard Reference Style Short Guide

The Coventry University Harvard Reference Style is the recommended format for documenting sources used in your academic work. It is important to be transparent and consistent when documenting sources. To download a full version of CU Harvard Reference Style guide and glossary, visit www.coventry.ac.uk/caw. The two elements of the CU Harvard Reference Style are: 1. In-text citations: The surname of the author, date of publication and the page number if you quote or paraphrase, are included in the main body of the document. 2. List of references: At the end of your work, full publication or internet information arranged alphabetically by surname of the author. Part 1: How to Write In-text Citations Cite every source you refer to in the main body of your writing. Your in-text citations must include the surname of the author and the year of publication. If you quote a passage directly or paraphrase (put the idea into your own words) provide the page number. For example: Concern about climate change is becoming a ‘force for good’ in international politics (Kennedy 2004: 88). Images, figures and statistics from a printed source also need to be cited in the text. In-text citations of internet sources Use the organisation that produced the website as the author (known as the corporate author). If it is available, also give the date when the site was produced or last updated. For example: Manufacturing in the Midland’s biggest industry (Coventry University 2005). In-text citations of secondary sources Secondary sources are useful quotes or pieces of information cited in a book, article or internet resource other than the original source: 1. Always try to find and read the original source. 2. If you cannot find the original source, use the following format: Quote the surname of the author whose work you have not read and its original year of publication. Then write ‘cited in’ and give the surname of the author whose...