Learn How to Cite Your Papers in Oxford Referencing Style

We all understand the importance of citing sources accurately in our papers, but sometimes, unclear instructions can lead to citation errors. 

All different citation styles require a different approach to cite sources in your paper, and Oxford referencing is no different.

If you want to, or are required to, cite your sources in the Oxford referencing style, you’ve come to the right place. 

In our Oxford Referencing guide, we’ll tell you how to cite in-text, format your footnotes, and reference lists in Oxford style. 

Let’s get started.

Understanding Oxford Referencing 

Developed by Oxford University, the Oxford referencing style is the preferred citation format for Law students. 

Also known as the documentary-note system, the Oxford referencing style is well suited for legal writing as it allows for detailed citations and easy access to the sources. It is also employed in various other academic disciplines, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.

Now, let’s understand what are the different elements of the Oxford referencing system.

Elements of Oxford Referencing 

The Oxford referencing system is made up of the following citation elements:

• Using superscript numbers for Oxford referencing in-text
• Footnotes corresponding to superscript numbers  
• Reference list 

Let’s understand how you should cite the sources used in your paper using the elements mentioned above.

Using Superscript Numbers In-Text 

In Oxford Referencing, we use superscript numbers in the text to signal that there's more information about a particular point. 

Here's how to do it:

• Placement: Put the superscript number at the end of the sentence or clause, right after the punctuation. For example, if you mention a fact in your sentence, you'd add the superscript number right after that fact.

Example: The Earth is acknowledged as spherical.¹

• Sequential Order: Number your superscripts sequentially throughout your document. If you use “1” for a particular source, the next one should be “2,” and so on. This helps readers easily find the corresponding note in the footnotes.

Example: The lunar satellite orbits the Earth.²

It’s important to note that each citation gets a new superscript number, even if you have already used the same citation before in the text. 

Now, let’s understand how you should format the footnotes that correspond to the superscript numbers. 

Oxford Referencing Footnotes 

In Oxford Referencing, footnotes play a key role in citing sources within your text. When you cite a source, you put a small number in your text, and at the bottom of the page (footnotes) to provide more details about that source.

Here are the rules for footnotes in Oxford style: 

The footnote content: In the footnote, provide detailed information about the source. You have to include the author's name, title, publication details, and page number if applicable

Here is the complete list of details to include in the footnotes:

• The superscript number from the in-text reference
• The author’s first initial and last name 
• The article or chapter title without italicizing
• After the title, list the journal or book title in italics 
• If you have the volume and issue number, add that as well
• If it’s a book, add the publishing city and the publisher as well
• List the year number as well
• The last thing to add is the page number

Placement of the superscript: Place the corresponding superscript number before the start of the footnote. Give space after the superscript as well

For example: 

The superscript sequence: Start the footnote numbering from 1 and keep the sequence running throughout the paper

Same source, first footnote: For the first footnote, you must include the complete information about the author, title, and publication

Same source, second footnote: When you reference the same source again, you only need to include the author’s surname, the title of the source, and the page number 

For example: 

• Remember that in footnotes, the first name of the author comes before the surname. This is what differentiates Oxford-style reference lists from footnotes 

Now, let’s take a look at how you should add footnotes for different types of sources in the Oxford style.

Adding Footnotes for Different Sources 

Get help from the below format and examples when listing your footnotes for various types of sources.

Oxford Referencing: Journal Article 

For journal or print articles, look at the examples below:

With Author: 

Without Author: 

Oxford Referencing: Books 

There are different footnote formats for citing books that may have a single author, multiple authors, or no authors at all. Take a look at the examples below: 

With one Author: 

With Multiple Authors:  

With no Authors: 

Chapter in a Book: 

For Websites 

For citing websites in the footnotes, get help from the below example: 

Now that you know how to format the footnotes in the Oxford style, let’s move on to formatting the reference lists.

Listing References in the Oxford Style 

When using the Oxford referencing style, create a separate page at the end of your academic paper. Although you can copy your footnotes and copy them to the reference list, you must make some tweaks.

Follow the below guidelines:

• The reference page is generally named the “Reference List”
• In the references, unlike the footnotes, the author’s surname comes first rather than the initial name
• All entries in the reference list are sorted alphabetically, also unlike the numerical order in the footnotes
• If there is no author, just use the title and place it where it belongs in the alphabetical order
• If there are references from the same author, arrange the works according to the date

After looking at some practical examples, you’ll get a better understanding of the reference lists in the Oxford style

Oxford Referencing Style - Examples of Reference Lists

We’ll take a look at examples of references for different sources. The table below provides a clear breakdown of both footnotes and reference list entries for each type of source in Oxford Style.

What is the Difference Between Harvard and Oxford Referencing? 

Oxford and Harvard are two of the most common referencing styles used in academic writing. Here is a breakdown of the key differences between the two. 

In summary, learning Oxford Referencing is essential for both students and researchers.

This guide has provided you with comprehensive guidelines and examples to ensure the precision of your citations. 

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