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Department of History

The History Christmas Citation Quiz

Welcome to the History Department Christmas Citation Quiz! We've had some feedback that students are unsure about how to reference, and so we hope that this quiz will help you to understand what you need to do. Referencing is definitely in the "boring but important" category of university work, so we've tried to add some festive cheer (and potential holiday reading?). It's completely anonymous, so you can take it as many times as you need (or want!). 

If you're still not sure about referencing, do get in touch with your personal tutor when you return next term. 

Merry Christmas! 

1. Where can I get guidance on referencing? (select all that apply)
2. You can use any citation format you wish in History, as long as:
a) it is a recognised style (don’t invent your own!)
b) it uses footnotes rather than in-text citations
c) you use the same style throughout any given essay
With that in mind, which of these citation styles could you use for History assignments? (select all that apply)
3. Merry Christmas! by Karal Marling is ‘like an agreeably stuffed Christmas stocking,’ according to one review.

Choose the correct MHRA citation for this book, as a FOOTNOTE. All the information you need is in the library catalogue record, here: https://go.exlibris.link/jG9D9MNF.

Hint: If you don’t know what an MHRA citation should look like, try looking in the Undergraduate Handbook!
4. Did you know that a few days before Christmas in 1831, enslaved people in Jamaica commenced a rebellion that would hasten the end of slavery in the British Empire?

Choose the correct MHRA citation for a BIBLIOGRAPHY citation of Tom Zoellner’s prize winning book Island on Fire, which tells the story of this incredible moment in history. All the information you need is in the library catalogue record, here: https://go.exlibris.link/9nf8FXRD

Hint: If you don’t know what an MHRA citation should look like, try looking in the Undergraduate Handbook!
5. Laura Scharer argues that ‘the most important decorations’ on a Christmas tree in the nineteenth century were ‘undoubtedly were the presents that were tied to the branches of the tree, rather than piled on the table beneath it.’1 Tree decorating traditions have continued to evolve. For example, for Christian and Jewish interfaith families, it is now possible to buy ‘blue and white Christmas tree ornaments decorated with menorahs.’2

The difference between MHRA and Chicago citation styles is subtle. Can you tell the difference? All of these article citations are correct, but which two are MHRA?

Hint: If you don’t know what an MHRA citation or a Chicago citation should look like, try looking in the Undergraduate Handbook!
7. Did you know that Charades is a game from the nineteenth century? If you need some instructions on how to play, you can do worse (maybe) than the Brothers Mayhew, whose Acting Charades, or Deeds Not Words: A Christmas game to make a long evening short from 1850 has been digitized on Google.

Choose the correct MHRA citation for this fascinating primary source for a BIBLIOGRAPHY. Here’s a link: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Acting_Charades_or_Deeds_not_Words_A_Chr/8KZfAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&;gbpv=0

Hint: If you don’t know what an MHRA citation should look like, try looking in the Undergraduate Handbook!
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Chicago Manual of Style as a Christmas decoration