Writing a research paper in the humanities can feel like navigating a labyrinth of information. But fear not, brave scholar. The Modern Humanities Research Association (MHRA) has developed an MHRA referencing style for humanities subjects like literature, history, and philosophy.
This guide helps you acknowledge the sources you've consulted and ensures your readers can easily track down those references if they want to delve deeper.
Unlike other referencing styles that use in-text citations and a reference list at the end, MHRA referencing relies on footnotes.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
Most word-processing software has a built-in footnote function. Look for it under the "Insert" menu. This will automatically format your footnotes and keep track of the superscript numbers in your text, saving you time and frustration.
MHRA referencing isn't just about following a rule; it's about academic integrity and crediting the scholars who have paved the way for your research. It also shows your readers that evidence supports your work well and allows them to explore the sources you've used further.
So, the next time you're wrestling with a research paper in the humanities, remember that MHRA referencing is there to be your trusty companion.
While footnotes credit specific sources you used throughout your writing, the bibliography acts like a grand library catalog at the end of your work. It lists all the sources you consulted while researching your paper, even if you didn't directly mention them in every sentence. Think of it as a "thank you" to all the scholars who helped you on your research journey.
What's Different In The Bibliography?
The citations in the bibliography look similar to the total citations you included in your first footnotes, but with a twist: they don't have specific page numbers. Here's why: the bibliography is meant to be a general list of all the sources you used, not a detailed roadmap to every information you extracted.
Conquering MHRA referencing can feel like climbing Mount Everest, but fear not! Here's a breakdown of the two main parts: the footnotes and the bibliography.
Imagine tiny numbers scattered throughout your writing (like this). These are superscripts, like little flags pointing to a hidden treasure in the footnote.
You'll find the corresponding footnote for each superscript at the bottom of the page. This footnote is where you give full credit to the source you borrowed information from.
The first time you mention a source, you've got to give it all the love: full author name, book title in italics, publisher, year, and the specific page number where you found the info (e.g., Smith, J. Metamorphosis (Penguin Books, 2023), p. 42).
For articles, you'll need the author, article title in quotes, journal title in italics, volume and issue number (if applicable), year, and page range (e.g., Jones, M. "The Symbolism of Flowers in Victorian Literature," Journal of Literary Studies 27.1 (2022), pp. 12-25).
After the big intro for a source, you can use a shorter version for future mentions. This usually includes the author's last name and the relevant page number (e.g., Jones, 15).
Think of the bibliography as a giant "Thank You" note at the end of your paper. It lists all the sources you consulted during your research adventure, even if you didn't directly quote them in your writing.
The citations in the bibliography look similar to the total citations you used in your first footnotes, but there's a twist: they don't include specific page numbers.
This is because the bibliography is a general thank you to all the sources you used, not a detailed map of every piece of information.
Most word processors have a built-in footnote function. Look for it under the "Insert" menu to save you time and frustration.
MHRA referencing is about giving credit and showing your readers you did your research.
The MHRA referencing style likes things nice and organised, especially regarding your sources. Here's the deal: you need to keep track of two main types of sources in your bibliography: primary and secondary.
Imagine a history detective uncovering hidden clues. Primary sources are like those original documents the detective finds letters, diaries, speeches, government records, and even paintings or photographs. These are all firsthand accounts or materials created when you're studying.
Examples: A diary written by a soldier in World War I, a speech by a famous historical figure, or a collection of poems from a specific era.
Secondary sources are more like the detective's analysis of those clues. They discuss, analyse, or interpret primary sources. Textbooks, articles about historical events, or biographies about famous people fall under this category.
Examples: A history textbook discussing World War I, a literary analysis of a poet's work, or a biography of a historical figure written by someone else.
Here's the critical point: When you create your bibliography (the extensive list of all the sources you used), you must list your primary and secondary sources separately. Think of it as organising your bookshelf history detective originals on one shelf and books about those originals on another.
Formatting Tip: When listing your sources in the bibliography, alphabetise them by the author's last name (or the first word of the title if there's no author).
Remember:
Primary sources are the original materials you're studying.
Secondary sources talk about, analyse, or interpret primary sources.
Keep them separate in your bibliography for a clear and organised reference list.
If diving into humanities research, you might encounter MHRA referencing a citation style for subjects like English literature. Here's a breakdown to make it easier to handle.
Imagine tiny numbers throughout your text (like this). These point to footnotes at the bottom of the page, where you give credit to the sources you borrowed information from.
The first time you mention a source (like a book), you've got to include all the details: author name(s), book title in italics, city of publication, publisher, year, and specific page number(s) you used (e.g., Simone Weil, Waiting on God (Glasgow: Fount Paperbacks, 1951), p. 65).
After that extensive introduction, you can use a shorter version for future mentions of the same source, usually just the author's last name and the page number (e.g., Weil, p. 100).
Think of the bibliography as a giant "Thank You" note at the end of your paper. It lists all the sources you consulted, even if you didn't directly quote them.
You list sources in the bibliography similar to the total citations you used in your first footnotes but without the specific page numbers.
Entries are listed alphabetically by the author's last name (or the first word of the title if there's no author).
Most word processors have a built-in footnote function. Look for it under the "Insert" menu to save you time and frustration.
MHRA referencing is about giving credit and showing your readers you did your research.
Want to write a history or literature paper but want to know about sources? MHRA referencing is here to help. It's like a way to say "thanks" to the books you used. Tiny numbers in your writing lead to explanations below, then a big "Thank You" list at the end (bibliography) mentions all the sources you checked out. No sweat, just clear sailing for your research adventure.
