For example, a book reference in Harvard referencing style is made of four parts:
- Who? Author’s surname(s), Initial(s).
- When? Year of publication (in round brackets, followed by a full stop.)
- What? Title of Book. (in italics and followed by a full stop, unless including edition - edition is included only if the book you are referencing is a second edition or newer)
- Where? Place of publication: Publisher
This information is written in the following format:
Author’s surname(s), Initial(s). (Year of publication) Title of Book. Edition if applicable., Place of Publication: Publisher.
For example:
Upson, M., Luetkenhaus, H., Hall, C. M., & Cannon, K. (2021) Information now : a graphic guide to student research and web literacy. 2nd ed., Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Every other reference structure is a variation of the above. It is always worth checking the guide for your course referencing style to ensure your referencing is correct.