Oxford Referencing System

Oxford Referencing System

This document details the Oxford Referencing System with examples.

How do I do it?
The Oxford method requires two elements: footnotes throughout your assignment, and a bibliography or list
of references at the end.

Footnotes
How do I do a footnote?
Footnotes (sometimes just called ‘notes’) are what they sound like—a note (or a reference to a source of
information) which appears at the foot (bottom) of a page. In a footnote referencing system, you indicate a
reference by:

 Putting a small number above the line of type directly following the source material. This number is called a
note identifier. It sits slightly above the line of text. It looks like this.1
 Putting the same number, followed by a citation of your source, at the bottom of the page. Footnoting
should be numerical and chronological: the first reference is 1, the second is 2, and so on.

The advantage of footnoting is that the reader can simply cast their eyes down the page to discover the
source of a reference which interests them.

The first footnote for a source

In the text
Note identifiers should be placed at the end of a sentence, and follow any punctuation marks (but precede a
dash). If you use a long quotation (more than three lines of text), the note identifier should be placed at the
end of the quotation.

Lake points out that a division began in the latter half of the nineteenth century with the doctrine of ‘separate
spheres’.1

At the foot of the page

When you reference a source for the first time, you must provide full bibliographic information (information
about the source). This includes:

 author(s) initial(s) and surname(s)

 name of the article, book or journal
 editors (if applicable)
 publisher name and location
 year published

You should give exact page numbers if your reference is a direct quotation, a paraphrase, an idea, or is
otherwise directly drawn from the source.
1
M. Lake, ‘Intimate strangers’, in V. Burgman and J. Lee (eds.), Making a Life: a People’s History of Australia
Since 1788, Victoria, Penguin, 1988, p. 155.

1
Oxford Referencing System

Footnote formatting
 Titles of publications should be italicised.
 Use minimum capitalisation for publication titles.
 Use minimal capitalisation for journal or book article titles.
 Article titles should be enclosed between single quotation marks.
 Use commas to separate each item of the citation and end with a full stop.

Second and subsequent footnotes

Second and subsequent references to the same source don’t need to be as detailed as the first note—they
just need the minimum information to clearly indicate which text is being referred to.

With a single author

Provide all the necessary information in the first footnote. If you want to refer to the same source again, a
simple method is to give the author’s name and the page number. For example:
1
K. Reid, Higher Education or Education for Hire? Language and Values in Australian Universities, Rockhampton,
CQU Press, 1996, p. 87.
2
...
3
Reid, p. 98.

If two or more works by the same author are referred to in the text, include the title:
1
E. Gaskell, North and South, Harmondsworth, Penguin, 1970, p. 228.
2
E. Gaskell, The Life of Charlotte Brontë, Harmondsworth, Penguin, 1975, p. 53.
3
Gaskell, North and South, p. 222.

Subsequent references to articles are done in a similar way:

17
M. Doyle, ‘Captain Mbaye Diagne’, Granta, vol. 48, August, 1994, pp. 99-103.
18
...
19
Doyle, Granta, p. 101.

Abbreviations for subsequent footnotes

Another way to shorten second or subsequent references is with Latin abbreviations. For example:

 ibid = same as last entry

Use ibid when two references in a row are from the same source.

 op. cit. = as previously cited

Use op. cit. when you have already given full details of that source in an earlier note. When using op. cit. you
still need to provide information such as the author’s name to make the source clear.

Examples
11
K. Reid, Higher Education or Education for Hire? Language and Values in Australian Universities,
Rockhampton, CQU Press, 1996, p. 87.
12
ibid., p. 26.
13
M. Doyle, ‘Captain Mbaye Diagne’, Granta, vol. 48, August, 1994, p. 99.
14
Reid, op. cit., p. 147.

Bibliography or List of References

Why do I need to provide a list?
Even though full bibliographic information is given in the footnote or endnote references, you are required
to provide a separate list of the works you have cited. It is easier to examine a complete listing of references
and gives a clearer idea of your research.

2
Oxford Referencing System

How do I list the Information?

A bibliographic entry requires the same information as a footnote entry, but the author’s surname is
placed before their initial, as sources are listed in alphabetical order by author surname.

Examples

Book
Reid, I., Higher Education or Education for Hire? Language and Values in Australian Universities, Rockhampton,
CQU Press, 1996.

Journal article
Doyle, M., ‘Captain Mbaye Diagne’, Granta, Vol. 48, August, 1994, pp. 99-103.

Web document
Curthoys, N., ‘Future directions for rhetoric – invention and ethos in public critique’, in Australian Humanities
Review, March-April, 2001, viewed on 11 April 2001, http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/AHR/archive/Issue-April-
2001/curthoys.html.

Full Example List

Books & eBooks

Material Type Footnote Example Bibliography Example

1
S. Ratnagar, Trading Encounters: From the
Ratnagar, S., Trading Encounters: From the
Book: Single Euphrates to the Indus in the Bronze
Euphrates to the Indus in the Bronze Age, New
Author Age, New Delhi, Oxford University Press,
Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2004.
2004, p. 23.
1
A. Blackledge and A.
Blackledge, A., and Creese, A., Multilingualism:
Book: 2 or 3 Creese, Multilingualism: a Critical
a Critical Perspective, London, Continuum,
Authors Perspective, London, Continuum, 2010, p.
2010.
10.
1
Book: More A. Kring, G.C. Davison, J.M. Neale, and S. Kring, A., Davison, G.C., Neale, J.M. and
Than 3 Johnson, Abnormal Psychology, 11th edn., Johnson, S., Abnormal Psychology, 11th edn.,
Authors Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley & Sons, 2010, p. 40. Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
1
The Cambridge Companion to The Cambridge Companion to
Book: No
Postmodernism, Cambridge, U.K., Cambridge Postmodernism, Cambridge, U.K., Cambridge
Author
University Press, 2004, p. 70. University Press, 2004.
1
J.M. Foley (ed.), A Companion To Ancient
Foley, J.M. (ed.), A Companion To Ancient
Book: Editor Epic, Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, pp. 25-
Epic, Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
30.
Book: 1
Y. Aralawa, Zen Painting, trans. J. Bester, Arakawa, Y., Zen Painting, trans. J.
Translator &
Tokyo, Kodansha International, 1970, p. 75. Bester, Tokyo, Kodansha International, 1970.
Author
1
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Queensland Australian Bureau of Statistics, Queensland
Book:
Office, The Economic Status of Migrants in Office, The Economic Status of Migrants in
Organisation
Australia, Canberra, Australian Govt. Pub. Australia, Canberra, Australian Govt. Pub.
as Author
Service, 1990, p. 320. Service, 1990.
1
Book: J. Baker, 'The Place of Science and Baker, J., 'The Place of Science and Technology
Chapter or Technology in the Wise Management of the in the Wise Management of the Great Barrier
Article in Great Barrier Reef', in E. Wolanski Reef', in Wolanski, E. (ed.),Oceanographic

3
Oxford Referencing System

Edited Book (ed.),Oceanographic Processes of Coral Reefs: Processes of Coral Reefs: Physical and
Physical and Biological Links in the Great Biological Links in the Great Barrier Reef, Boca
Barrier Reef, Boca Raton, CRC Press, 2001, pp. Raton, CRC Press, 2001, pp. 14-20.
14-20.
Book, edition 1 M.J. Sargent, P. Nilan, and G. Winter, The Sargent, M.J., Nilan, P., and Winter, G., The
other than New Sociology for Australians, 4th edn., New Sociology for Australians, 4th edn.,
first. Melbourne, Longman Australia, 1997, p. 140. Melbourne, Longman Australia, 1997.
1
V. Koller, Metaphor and Gender in Business Koller, V., Metaphor and Gender in Business
Media Discourse: A Critical Cognitive Media Discourse: A Critical Cognitive
E-book Study, New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, Study, New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004,
pp. 75-80, Available from: E-Book Library, Available from: E-Book Library, (accessed
(accessed 23 September 2010). 23 September 2010).
1
V. Koller, 'Business Media on Marketing: Koller, V., 'Business Media on Marketing:
Metaphors of War, Sports and Games', Metaphors of War, Sports and Games',
E-book:
in Metaphor and Gender in Business Media in Metaphor and Gender in Business Media
Chapter or
Discourse: A Critical Cognitive Study, New Discourse: A Critical Cognitive Study, New York,
Article in an
York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, pp. 64-113. Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, pp. 64-113.
Edited E-book
Available from: E-Book Library, (accessed Available from: E-Book Library, (accessed
23 September 2010). 23 September 2010).
Journal Articles
Material Type Footnote Example Bibliography Example
1
Journal S. Mintz, 'Food Enigmas, Colonial and Mintz, S., 'Food Enigmas, Colonial and
Article: single Postcolonial', Gastronomica,vol. 10, no.1, Postcolonial', Gastronomica, vol. 10, no. 1,
author (print) 2010, p. 149. 2010, p. 149.
1
P. Addo and N. Besnier, 'When Gifts Become
Addo, P., and Besnier, N., 'When Gifts Become
Journal Commodities: Pawnshops, Valuables, and
Commodities: Pawnshops, Valuables, and
Article: 2 or 3 Shame in Tonga and the Tongan
Shame in Tonga and the Tongan
authors (print Diaspora', Journal of the Royal
Diaspora', Journal of the Royal Anthropological
) Anthropological Institute, vol. 14, no. 1, 2008,
Institute, vol. 14, no. 1, 2008, p. 39.
p. 39.
1
Journal M. Spencer et al., 'Analyzing the Order of Spencer, M. et al., 'Analyzing the Order of
Article: 3 or Items in Manuscripts of "the Canterbury Items in Manuscripts of "the Canterbury
more authors Tales"', Computers and the Humanities, vol. Tales"', Computers and the Humanities, vol. 37,
(print) 37, no. 1, 2003, pp. 97-109. no. 1, 2003, pp. 97-109.
1
K. Toffoletti, 'How is Gender-based Violence Toffoletti, K. 'How is Gender-based Violence
Journal Covered in the Sporting News? An Account of Covered in the Sporting News? An Account of
Article: the Australian Football League Sex the Australian Football League Sex
Electronic Scandal', Women's Studies International Scandal', Women's Studies International Forum,
Database Forum, vol. 30, no. 5, 2007, p. 427. Available vol. 30, no. 5, 2007, p. 427. Available from
from ProQuest, (accessed 23 February 2010). ProQuest, (accessed 23 February 2010).
1
K.R. Moore, 'Was Pythagoras Ever Really in Moore, K.R., 'Was Pythagoras Ever Really in
Journal
Sparta?', Rosetta, no. 6 Spring, Sparta?', Rosetta, no. 6 Spring,
Article:
2009, http://www.rosetta.bham.ac.uk, 2009, http://www.rosetta.bham.ac.uk,
Website
(accessed 10 September 2010). (accessed 10 September 2010).
Newspapers
Material Type Footnote Example Bibliography Example

4
Oxford Referencing System

1
Newspaper R. Boyd, 'The City of Sordid Boyd, R., 'The City of Sordid
article: print Splendour', Australian, 26 August 1964, p. 10. Splendour', Australian, 26 August 1964, p. 10.
Newspaper 1
K. Brooks, 'No Surprise in Big Bro Brooks, K., 'No Surprise in Big Bro
article:
Demise,' Courier-Mail, 16 July 2008, Available Demise,' Courier-Mail, 16 July 2008, Available
Electronic
from Factiva, (accessed 3 March 2008). from Factiva, (accessed 3 March 2008).
Database
1
S. Bredow, 'Powder to the People', Sydney Bredow, S., 'Powder to the People', Sydney
Morning Herald, 7 June Morning Herald, 7 June
Newspaper
2008, http://www.smh.com.au/news/ski/po 2008, http://www.smh.com.au/news/ski/powd
article:
wder-to-the- er-to-the-
Website
people/2008/06/04/1212258872379.html, people/2008/06/04/1212258872379.html,
(accessed 3 March 2008). (accessed 3 March 2008).
Primary Sources
Material Type Footnote Example Bibliography Example
1
George Dewell, Theft, Simple Larceny. Dewell, George, Theft, Simple Larceny.
Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 16th February Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 16th February
1832, page 28. Ref No: t18320216- 1832, page 28. Ref No: t18320216-
Historical
60,http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/index.jsp 60,http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/index.jsp (a
Sources
(accessed 20 February 2010). ccessed 20 February 2010).
1
Lord Cathcart, Diary: Transcript, 1709-28. 16 Lord Cathcart, Diary: Transcript, 1709-28. 16
vols. [A25-A40] National Library of Scotland. vols. [A25-A40] National Library of Scotland.
Thesis
Material Type Footnote Example Bibliography Example
1
C. Maslem, Melancholic Identification and Malsem, C., Melancholic Identification and
Nostalgic Fantasy in the Novels of Jean Nostalgic Fantasy in the Novels of Jean
Thesis
Rhys, PhD Thesis, University of Western Rhys, PhD Thesis, University of Western
Australia, 2005, p. 55. Australia, 2005.
Internet/Websites
Material Type Footnote Example Bibliography Example
1
B. Dibble, and B. Milech, 'Elizabeth Jolley Dibble, B., and Milech, B., 'Elizabeth Jolley
Research Research
Website
Collection',http://john.curtin.edu.au/jolley/in Collection', http://john.curtin.edu.au/jolley/ind
dex.html, 2008, (accessed 1 August 2010). ex.html, 2008, (accessed 1 August 2010).
1
E. Woodbury, 'Manga Circulation in Woodbury, E., 'Manga Circulation in
Japan', Ooburoshiki, [web blog], 1 February Japan', Ooburoshiki, [web blog], 1 February
Blog 2010, http://eugenewoodbury.blogspot.com/ 2010, http://eugenewoodbury.blogspot.com/2
2010/02/manga-circulation-in- 010/02/manga-circulation-in-
japan.html, (accessed 19 January 2010). japan.html, (accessed 19 January 2010).
1
R. Leighton, Surf Sirens, Manly Beach, New Leighton, R., Surf Sirens, Manly Beach, New
South Wales, 1938-46 [online South Wales, 1938-46 [online
Digital Image
photograph], http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic- photograph], http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-
an14035743-4, (accessed 12 June 2010). an14035743-4, (accessed 12 June 2010).
Multimedia/Audio-Visual
Material Type Footnote Example Bibliography Example
1
Film or The Red Badge of Courage, dir. John Huston, The Red Badge of Courage, dir. Huston, J., USA,

5
Oxford Referencing System
broadcast USA, MGM, 1951, [videocassette].
1'
An Occasionally Accurate History of
Australia: Part I', [online video],
Web Video
2006, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJj
NsCVHc34, (accessed 6 October 2010).
1
'Fungi and Mould', The Health Report, ABC
Radio National 1999,
Podcast [podcast] http://www.abc.net.au/m/healthre
port/stories/1999/48140.htm, (accessed 10
March 2003).
Oral Histories
Material Type Footnote Example
1
Professor John Edgar Maloney, interviewed
Oral History by John Ferrell, 2004, John Curtin Prime
Ministerial Library, Perth, JCMPL00897/3.
Conference Proceedings
Material Type Footnote Example
1
G. Kozicz, 'Architecture of the Empty Shells
of Nyar ma', Discoveries in Western Tibet and
the Western Himalayas: Essays on History,
Conference Literature, Archaeology and Art: PIATS 2003,
Proceeding Tibetan Studies, Proceedings of the Tenth
Seminar of the International Association for
Tibetan Studies. Oxford, Oxford University
Press, 2006, pp. 41-42.
Citing Information Someone Else has Cited
Material Type Footnote Example
10
A. Smith, Italian architecture, Penguin,
citing
Melbourne, 2000, cited in D.
"secondary"
Brown, Renaissance Italy, London, Faber and
sources
Faber, 2002, p. 45.
MGM, 1951, [videocassette].
'An Occasionally Accurate History of Australia:
Part I', [online video],
2006, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJjNs
CVHc34, (accessed 6 October 2010).
'Fungi and Mould', The Health Report, ABC
Radio National 1999,
[podcast] http://www.abc.net.au/m/healthrep
ort/stories/1999/48140.htm, (accessed 10
March 2003).
Bibliography Example
Maloney, J.E., interviewed by John Ferrell,
2004, John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library,
Perth, JCMPL00897/3.
Bibliography Example
Kozicz, G., 'Architecture of the Empty Shells of
Nyar ma', Discoveries in Western Tibet and the
Western Himalayas: Essays on History,
Literature, Archaeology and Art: PIATS 2003,
Tibetan Studies, Proceedings of the Tenth
Seminar of the International Association for
Tibetan Studies. Oxford, Oxford University
Press, 2006, pp. 41-54.
Bibliography Example
In the reference list provide the details of the
author who has done the citing:
Brown, D., Renaissance Italy, London, Faber
and Faber, 2002, p. 45.