Harvard Referencing Style Guide

Aiming to achieve better marks with the correct referencing style in your assignments? Are you looking for a guide to help you with Harvard referencing style? Well, you can officially end your search here! Often, you take assignments lightly and assume that they can be dealt with within just a few hours. Things take a drastic turn when you look at the assignment requirements. Starting from the formatting of the assignment and research work to initiating the writing process and proofreading, it's a lot to handle. That’s when you realize the importance of starting your assignments early so that you can aim for the grades you desire.

Before we start to talk in-depth about Harvard referencing style format, you should know what these styles actually are. Basically, these citation styles are systems for acknowledging the information sources you have used in your work. So, by taking help with them, you can effortlessly compile a list of references at the end of your assignments. With the help of referencing styles, you can give proper credit to the authors. Also, it makes it easier for the examiner to verify the resources you have used in your assignments.

Remember that no matter how crucial information you are incorporating, you will face deductions without using the proper referencing styles. So, are you excited to know what Harvard's referencing style is? Read on to know!

What is Harvard's referencing style?

As one of the widely used referencing styles in the academic world, Harvard referencing styles make it easy for writers to cite sources. Apart from its original name, it can also be referred to as the author-date system. It is because you have to involve placing the author's name together with the publication date within the original text. Be it your readers and examiner; they can effortlessly locate the resources if they want to explore more about the same. Due to the uncomplicated nature of the style, you can easily learn what is Harvard referencing style is and how to make the most out of it! Below are general guidelines for the Harvard referencing style:

In-text Citations

When it comes to the citation style, you shall include the author’s last name together with the publication year. It will be mentioned within the text itself. In case you can quote directly, including page numbers is also mandatory.

Examples

For book citations -

(XYZ, 2010)

(XTZ, 2010, p. 45) - for direct quotes

For the citation journals and articles -

(XYZ, 2015)

(XYZ, 2015, p. 20) - for direct quotes

When citing a website:

( WWW.XYZ.COM, 2019)

(WWW.XYZ.COM 2019, para. 3) - If you don’t have knowledge of the page number. 

Reference List

In Harvard referencing style, you have to arrange the list of references alphabetically as per the last of the authors. In case you do not find any information regarding the author, then you will be using the title of the work to alphabetize the entry. Below is an example of the basic format you need to follow:

Examples:

Book

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of Book. Publisher’s name.

Article

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page range.

Example:

Website

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of web page/document. Website Name. URL

Know that it is alright to have some confusion regarding the referencing styles; you can opt for additional assistance. Starting from APA Style Research Paper Writing Help to Harvard and Chicago, you can find all kinds of help from our experienced experts.

Top Mistakes to Avoid While Working with Harvard’s Referencing Style

It is understandable to make mistakes when you are working as per the referencing style for the first time. And it is crucial for you to stay aware of some of the common mistakes you need to avoid. Below is a list of bullets you need to dodge if you want to get the HD grades:

Inconsistent Formatting

Ensure that you are being consistent with the format you are using for the reference list. Be it font or size, do not change things to make them stand out.

Inaccurate References

It would be best to double-check all the references you are mentioning in your work. Do not include half or inaccurate information.

Ignoring Paraphrasing Rules

Make sure not to rely too much on the direct quotes. Try to attribute ideas, data, or phrases to their original sources. Check out a Harvard referencing style example to get more clarity on this.

Not Including Page Range for Journal Articles

When you show laziness in mentioning the numbers in your citation, you kind of lose the trust of your readers. So, make sure to avoid these mistakes and keep things detailed.

Disregarding Italics and Punctuation

It is your responsibility to make the proper use of italics for the titles of books and journals in the reference list. Furthermore, pay attention to details like colons, commas, punctuation marks, etc. This way, you can enhance your presentation without making additional effort.

Misinterpreting Citation Rules

It would be a wise idea to get online assignment help to familiarize yourself with the rules of style. Note that interpretations can be different. Make a list of the guidelines for all the resources and paste it in front of your desk to save yourself from misunderstandings.

Failing to Check Institution-Specific Guidelines

All the institutes can have different variations, or they might have other requirements when it comes to referencing types. Instead of initiating the writing style, you have to check some of the examples from university websites. At last, to be more confident, rely on final proofreading before the final submission.

Also Read: Importance Of Referencing In Academic Writing

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As Harvard's referencing style is one of the easiest among all, it will be easier for you to become familiar with it. Even if it takes some time, you can make things easier by constantly proofreading and working on your mistakes. Once you make it a habit, all your upcoming assignments will be sorted. This way, you can save yourself from all the plagiarism issues and keep things authentic. Although it is appreciable to manage things on your own, knowing when to ask for help can also work in your favor. 

My Assignment Services has got you covered with all the things you need to know if you want to shine in your assignments. Starting from finding the right resources for your work to initiating the writing process, we know what it takes to keep you on the right track. It is not only about the research papers; we have experience in all kinds of assignments you get in your university years. So, next time when you think, 'Can someone do my assignment for me?’ you know where will be the right place for you. Regardless of what subject you are majoring in, we are ready to offer you some industry-specific guidelines. So, now you know how you can follow the exact Harvard referencing style and get better grades. It's time for you to get in touch with My Assignment Services and level up your academic game!