Mastering Academic Writing: Structure and Referencing in Harvard Style

Mastering Academic Writing: Structure and Referencing in Harvard Style

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the principles of academic writing, structure an essay effectively, and reference sources using the Harvard style.

What do you already know about academic writing, structuring an essay, and referencing in Harvard style?

Introduction to Academic Writing

Academic writing is a formal style of writing used in higher education. It requires clear and concise language, logical organization, and the use of credible sources.

Essay Structure

An essay typically consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction provides background information and a thesis statement. Body paragraphs present evidence and arguments. The conclusion summarizes the main points and restates the thesis.

Structuring an Essay

To structure your essay effectively, create an outline before writing. Start with a strong introduction, develop your main points in separate paragraphs, and end with a thoughtful conclusion.

Harvard Referencing Style

Harvard referencing is a widely used citation style. It involves in-text citations, a reference list, and specific formatting rules. In-text citations include the author's name and year of publication, while the reference list provides detailed information about each source.

In-Text Citations

In-text citations in Harvard style include the author's last name and the year of publication, enclosed in parentheses. Example: (Smith, 2021).

Reference List

The reference list contains detailed information about each source cited in the essay. It includes the author's name, publication year, title of the work, and other necessary details.

Practice and Resources

Now, it's time to practice structuring an essay and referencing in Harvard style. Use the provided resources and guidelines to complete the given exercises.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.