When citing a dictionary using the Harvard referencing style, it’s essential to provide accurate information to direct readers to the exact source you consulted. Follow these steps on how to cite a dictionary using Harvard referencing style.
- Identify the Elements
First, gather the necessary information for your citation:
- Author(s) or editor(s) of the dictionary (if applicable)
- Year of publication
- Title of the dictionary (italicized or underlined)
- Edition (if specified)
- Publisher
- Page number (if citing a specific entry)
- Format for In-Text Citation
In the body of your text, cite the dictionary entry by placing the author/editor’s surname, year of publication, and page number (if applicable) in parentheses. For example:
- (Smith, 2005)
- (Johnson, 2010, p. 45)
If the dictionary entry has no author or editor, use the title of the dictionary instead:
- (“Oxford English Dictionary,” 2019)
- (“Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary,” 2020, p. 123)
- Construct the Reference List Entry
In the reference list (or bibliography), format the citation as follows:
- Book with author: Author(s) Last Name, First Initial(s) Year of Publication, Title of Dictionary, Edition (if applicable), Publisher.
Example: Smith, J. 2005, The Dictionary of Linguistics, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press.
- Book with editor: Editor(s) Last Name, First Initial(s) (ed.) Year of Publication, Title of Dictionary, Edition (if applicable), Publisher.
Example: Johnson, L. (ed.) 2010, Cambridge Dictionary of English Language, 3rd edn, Cambridge University Press.
- Book with no author or editor: Title of Dictionary Year of Publication, Publisher.
Example: Oxford English Dictionary 2019, Oxford University Press.
- Specific entry in a dictionary: Author(s) or Editor(s) Last Name, First Initial(s) Year, ‘Title of Entry’, in Title of Dictionary, Edition (if applicable), Publisher, Page Number.
Example: Brown, P. 2018, ‘Syntax’, in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edn, Merriam-Webster, p. 567.
Ensure that all details, including punctuation and capitalization, are correct. Double-check page numbers and other specific details if citing a particular entry. Consistency in formatting is crucial for clarity and academic integrity.
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