MHRA referencing is a style of referencing developed by the Modern Humanities Research Association. It is intended primarily for use in connection with books and journals published by the Association but is also used in a wider context by students.
The third edition of the MHRA Style Guide is available to purchase in bookshops and online. If it’s the style you’ve been told to follow, make sure you do just that, as it’s what you’ll be marked on.
Footnotes are of key importance to the MHRA referencing style. You should insert footnote numbers in your text every time you quote or paraphrase another person’s words or ideas. When referring to a source for the first time, you need to provide the full details in the footnote. After that, references can be provided in an abbreviated form.
You’ll also need to provide a full bibliography at the end of the essay, which needs to be carefully formatted according to the type of material you’ve cited – be it a book, journal, website, film or anything else. The bibliography only needs to include material that you’ve directly cited in your work.
Use the following template to cite a book using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used
Example:
Barnard, Malcolm, Fashion As Communication (London: Routledge, 2002)
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used.
Example:
“Fashion and clothing are communicative. They are communicative in that they are non-verbal ways in which meaning and values are produced and exchanged.” Malcolm Barnard, Fashion As Communication (London: Routledge, 2002).
Use the following template to cite a journal using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Publication Title, Volume number (Year Published), Pages Used <http://dx.doi.org/DOI Number>
Example:
Ruggie, John Gerard, 'International Regimes, Transactions, And Change: Embedded Liberalism In The Postwar Economic Order', International Organization, 36 (1982), 379-344 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0020818300018993>
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Publication Title, Volume number (Year Published), Pages Used <http://dx.doi.org/DOI Number>.
Example:
‘Unlike the economic nationalism of the thirties, the compromise would be multilateral in character; yet unlike the liberalism of the gold standard and free trade, its multilateralism would be predicated upon domestic interventionism’ John Gerard Ruggie, 'International Regimes, Transactions, And Change: Embedded Liberalism In The Postwar Economic Order', International Organization, 36 (1982), 379-344 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0020818300018993>.
Use the following template to cite a film or movie using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Title (City: Publisher, Year Published)
Example:
Star Wars: Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (George Lucas, 2002)
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Title (City: Publisher, Year Published).
Example:
There has not been a full scale war since the formation of the Republic! Star Wars: Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (George Lucas, 2002).
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Use the following template to cite an online image or video using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, Title, Year Published <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
Valentini, James, Pcell Technologies, 2014 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bO0tjAdOIw> [accessed 19 September 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, Title, Year Published <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
An entrepreneur is a person who is willing and able to convert a new idea or invention into a successful innovation James Valentini, Pcell Technologies, 2014 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bO0tjAdOIw> [accessed 19 September 2014].
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Use the following template to cite a website using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Year Published <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
strachan, glenda, Www98.griffith.edu.au, 2007 <http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/36422/66060_1.pdf;jsessionid=6BBDB7F3E15D20654BDE239E65FFC6BF?sequence=1> [accessed 15 June 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Year Published <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
in the 1950s and 1960s men were regarded as the wage earners and women the homemakers glenda strachan, Www98.griffith.edu.au, 2007 <http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/36422/66060_1.pdf;jsessionid=6BBDB7F3E15D20654BDE239E65FFC6BF?sequence=1> [accessed 15 June 2014].
”
Use the following template to cite a blog using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
Sjef, Ben, 'Roger Davies 'Superstar Manager'', Tina Turner blog, 2012 <http://tinaturnerblog.com/2012/08/12/roger-davies-the-man-behind-the-legend/> [accessed 1 August 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
the reason I went with Roger was because of his eyes Ben Sjef, 'Roger Davies 'Superstar Manager'', Tina Turner blog, 2012 <http://tinaturnerblog.com/2012/08/12/roger-davies-the-man-behind-the-legend/> [accessed 1 August 2014].
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Use the following template to cite a court case using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Title, Document Title/Name, Year Published, Pages Used
Example:
CHAMBERLAIN v. THE QUEEN (No.2) (1984), Criminal Law - Evidence - Federal Court, 1984
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Title, Document Title/Name, Year Published, Pages Used.
Example:
COURT High Court of Australia Gibbs C.J.(1), Mason(1), Murphy(2), Brennan(3) and Deane(4) JJ. HRNG 1983, November 28-30; 1984, February 22. #DATE 22:2:1984 JUDGE1 1984, February 22. The following written judgments were delivered:- Judge 1 GIBBS CJ MASON J We would grant special leave to appeal, but would dismiss the appeal. (at p569) Judge 2 MURPHY J 31. In each case special leave to appeal should be granted, the appeal allowed, the conviction set aside and judgment of acquittal entered. (at p577) Judge 3 BRENNAN 34. I would, in the case of each application, grant special leave to appeal, allow the appeal, set aside the judgment and orders of the Federal Court and in lieu thereof order that the verdict of guilty be set aside and the conviction quashed. (at p630) ORDER Applications for special leave to appeal granted. Appeals dismissed. CHAMBERLAIN v. THE QUEEN (No.2) (1984), Criminal Law - Evidence - Federal Court, 1984.
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Use the following template to cite a dictionary entry using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Publication Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
<http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hygiene> [accessed 21 October 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Publication Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness: <http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hygiene> [accessed 21 October 2014].
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Use the following template to cite an e-book or pdf using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
Internal Control - Integrated Framework, 1st edn (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, 2014), p. 3 <http://www.coso.org/documents/Internal%20Control-Integrated%20Framework.pdf> [accessed 31 July 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
Even effective internal control can only help an entity achieve these objectives. It can provide management information about the entity's progress, or lack of it, toward their achievement. But internal control cannot change an inherently poor manager into a good one. And, shifts in government policy or programs, competitors' actions or economic conditions can be beyond management's control. Internal control cannot ensure success, or even survival. Internal Control - Integrated Framework, 1st edn (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, 2014), p. 3 <http://www.coso.org/documents/Internal%20Control-Integrated%20Framework.pdf> [accessed 31 July 2014].
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Use the following template to cite an edited book using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used
Example:
Tuckman, Bruce, Management Models Pocketbook, 1st edn
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used.
Example:
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing Management Models Pocketbook, 1st edn.
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Use the following template to cite an email using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Year Published
Example:
Dancer, Michael, 'PE Assignment', 2014
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Year Published.
Example:
Hi Mr Dancer, can you please answer the following questions for my PE assignment? 1. What are the negatives of single sex PE classes? All boys/girls classes can sometimes contain specific characteristics (social, competitive) that can be harmful for overall educational outcomes. For example, boys can want to simply play to win and beat their friends but lose focus upon technique. Learning about sportsmanship can sometimes be forgotten. 2. What are the positives of mixed gender PE classes? Having mixed groups allow both sexes to appreciate the learning needs of one another. There tends to be a range of needs: competitive and participatory, technique focus and outcome based. Being able to see and consider the abilities of many students, male and female encourages empathy, a very important skill whilst the opportunity to work collaboratively is important too. Understanding the typical behaviours and attitudes of the opposite sex is very useful for building relationships in life. 3. Which do you think is better, mixed gender or single sex PE classes and why? From the responses in question 2, I think mixed sex classes are important but there are also great benefits within single sex classes. As PE is an educational focus there is the need for learning and collaborating well with many other peers so mixed is my preference. If it was a co-curricular team focusing upon winning at a senior level, then single sex focus would be generally better. Hope this helps Mr Dancer Michael DancerHarrison Varley to , 'PE Assignment', 2014.
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Use the following template to cite an encyclopedia article using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Publication Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used
Example:
Howell, Kenneth, 'Protestant Reformation', Encyclopedia of the Scientific Revolution, from Copernicus to Newton (New York: Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, 2000), pp. 556-558
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Publication Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used.
Example:
According to Calvin “Biblical theory [...] cannot be properly taken as a theory of nature” Kenneth Howell, 'Protestant Reformation', Encyclopedia of the Scientific Revolution, from Copernicus to Newton (New York: Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, 2000), pp. 556-558.
Use the following template to cite an interview using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, Title (Location, Year Published)
Example:
Warburton, Nigel, Locke on Persons, 2014
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, Title (Location, Year Published).
Example:
The person goes with the memories Nigel Warburton, Locke on Persons, 2014.
Use the following template to cite a magazine using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published, p. Pages Used <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
Smith, Patricia, 'Outbreak!', Upfront, 2014, p. 24 <http://upfront.scholastic.com/issues/10_06_14/book> [accessed 10 October 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published, p. Pages Used <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
"It starts with a fever, like many other illnesses" Patricia Smith, 'Outbreak!', Upfront, 2014, p. 24 <http://upfront.scholastic.com/issues/10_06_14/book> [accessed 10 October 2014].
Use the following template to cite a newspaper using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published, p. Pages Used <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
Sedghi, Ami, 2014 <http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/feb/04/facebook-in-numbers-statistics> [accessed 15 August 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published, p. Pages Used <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
According to Facebook, 757m users log on to Facebook daily, as of 31 December 2013. Ami Sedghi, 2014 <http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/feb/04/facebook-in-numbers-statistics> [accessed 15 August 2014].
Use the following template to cite a podcast using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
Baggini, Dr Julian, 'Understanding Sacred Texts', Authority and belief, 2014 <http://www.bl.uk/learning/cult/sacred/understanding/> [accessed 11 August 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, 'Title', Publication Title, Year Published <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
Every text is a product of its time Dr Julian Baggini, 'Understanding Sacred Texts', Authority and belief, 2014 <http://www.bl.uk/learning/cult/sacred/understanding/> [accessed 11 August 2014].
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Use the following template to cite a song using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Author Surname, Author Forename, Title (City: Publisher, Year Published) <http://Website URL> [accessed Date Accessed]
Example:
Saraswati, Dayaananda, Bo Shambho <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hslP17cNeoI> [accessed 2014]
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Author Forename Author Surname, Title (City: Publisher, Year Published) <http://Website-Url> [accessed 10 October 2013].
Example:
Raagam: Revati Language: Sanskrit Taalam: Aadi Sung by Maharaja Santhanam Dayaananda Saraswati, Bo Shambho <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hslP17cNeoI> [accessed 2014].
”
Use the following template to cite The Bible using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Title, (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used
Example:
The Bible: Contemporary English Version, (Cape Town: Bible Society of South Africa, 2007)
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Title (City: Publisher, Year Published), p. Pages Used.
Example:
Everything that happens has happened before; nothing is new, nothing under the sun. The Bible: Contemporary English Version (Cape Town: Bible Society of South Africa, 2007).
Use the following template to cite a TV Show using the MHRA citation style.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
Template:
Title' (Channel number: Broadcaster, Year Published)
Example:
'Rebel Architecture: The Architecture Of Violence' (Al Jazeera: Eyal Weizman, 2014)
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Template:
Title' (Channel number: Broadcaster, Year Published).
Example:
"By following the structure of the street, I am giving them my unit on a silver platter. At that point you say: Hold on, they are looking for 'my company'. I have to teach them a lesson they won’t forget. We leave the streets empty and enter the buildings by drilling holes in the walls" LT. Colonel. (RET.) Shimon Naveh, Military Philosopher 'Rebel Architecture: The Architecture Of Violence' (Al Jazeera: Eyal Weizman, 2014).