English Learning Reference materials

On this page you can find links to dictionaries, information on how to reference your assignments and dissertations, how to cite online sources, and plagiarism. Google scholar You can search specifically for academic literature, including articles, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from a wide range of subjects CILL How to use online dictionaries Watch a video about using online dictionaries. Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Probably the most useful and easiest to use general dictionary. The definitions are clear and simple and the site is very easy to use. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Another useful and easy to use American-English dictionary. In addition, you can also access an online thesaurus. Oxford English Dictionary Not as easy to use as the Cambridge dictionary but this is probably the most complete dictionary available online. You may have to spend time working out how to use it effectively but it is worth it. Particularly recommended for Arts and Social Sciences students. American Psychological Association Citation Style Guide. The Centre for Writing Studies, University of Illinois. Referencing your written work can be complicated. This website gives you excellence advice and guidelines on the APA Citation style. Check with your department their guidelines on referencing. Modern Language Association (MLA) Citation Style Guide. The Centre for Writing Studies, University of Illinois. This website gives you excellence advice and guidelines on the MLA Citation style. Columbia Guide to Online Style This site provides a general overview of how to cite online sources in assignments and dissertations. These guidelines are very clear but you should always check with your department their requirements for online sources. Harvard style citataion and referencing guide from Monash University If your department uses the Harvard style of referencing then you will find this site gives you all the information you need. Harvard Style of Referencing Centre for Academic Writing University of Coventry Another very useful site for Harvard referencing . Plagiarism and How To Avoid It by David Gardner Plagiarism is often a serious worry for students. This site will help you decide what plagiarism is and also provides a diagnostic test so you can decide if you have plagiarised. Well worth reading carefully! Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It. Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services Another very useful site about plagiarism. This site gives you examples of acceptable paraphrasing and different types of plagiarism as well as advice on how to avoid it.