How to Write Better Essays

When an author cites another author

In this case, if you want to use the comments of the cited author, then

you acknowledge both authors, but only the author of the text in which

you found the comments is listed in the reference list.

In describing recent studies that tended to show that men become

dangerous when their personal aggressiveness is unnaturally con-

tained, Masters (1997, p. 37) cites a comment by Anthony Storr, who

says, ‘Aggression is liable to turn into dangerous violence when it is

repressed or disowned.’

Anthony Storr (cited in Masters, 1997, p. 37) argues that, ‘The man

who is able to assert himself in a socially acceptable fashion is

seldom vicious; it is the weak who are most likely to stab one in the

back.’

When a number of authors present the same idea

In this case arrange the authors in alphabetical order, separated by

semi-colons.

If a child does not receive love from its parents in the early years it

will neither integrate their standards within its behaviour, nor

develop any sense of moral conscience (Berkowitz, 1962; Farrington,

1978; Rutter, 1981; Storr, 1972).

Acknowledging uncited sources

Before we finish with referencing, consider just one more source that

might need acknowledging. At times some of our best ideas come from

discussions we have with friends, colleagues and tutors. Many of these

may just be informal occasions when an idea might fire your imagina-

tion, or you might try out an idea on a tutor, who shows you how to

develop it further and in ways you hadn’t even thought of. Alternatively,

an idea might come from one isolated comment in a lecture, or an

example that opens up possibilities you hadn’t seen before. Or you may

just get inspiration from a novel you may have read, or an article you

might idly skim while you wait for someone.

All of these sources can play an important part in generating your

ideas and giving them shape. So, if they have played a significant role,

think about whether you need to acknowledge this. If the help is of a

Referencing and Bibliographies 245

HTW31 7/27/01 8:47 AM Page 245