What is MHRA referencing? 

MHRA is a footnote style where superscript numbers are placed in the text to mark a citation and then a footnote at the bottom of the page supplies the details of the reference. All the sources used are then listed in a bibliography at the end of your assignment. 

 

How does the MHRA style of referencing work? 

Here are some points to remember: 

When you refer to a source for the first time, give the full bibliographic details in a footnote. When referring to the same item in a later footnote, use a shortened but easily identifiable form. 

 

Example:  

The Athenian Mercury articulated the suffering of men whose reputations were in decline.1 These themes provide further evidence, as Peter Earle reminded us, that the middling sorts were not inevitably rising at this time.2  

 

1. Peter Earle, The Making of the English Middle Class: Business, Society and Family Life in London, 1660-1730 (London: Methuen, 1989), pp. 302  

 2. Earle, p. 333. 

 

  •  Give the full details of each item you use in a bibliography at the end of your assignment:

Earle, Peter, The Making of the English Middle Class: Business, Society and Family Life in London, 1660-1730 (London: Methuen, 1989) 

 

Where can I find information about MHRA referencing? 

You will find information and guidance on MHRA referencing: 

 

Where can I go for further help? 

Have a look at your subject’s Library Guides page. There you’ll find lots of ways to ask for help: 

 

  • Ask a question using Ask a Librarian instant chat 
  • Email your subject librarians 
  • Book an appointment with your subject librarians