Skip to Main Content

Copyright for Students

Using Quotations in Essays, Reports and Dissertations

You can include brief quotations and/or short extracts from copyright works in your assignments, without seeking permission of the rights holder. This makes use of an Exception for the purpose of Quotation, criticism and review. 

The source of these extracts must be sufficient acknowledgement and attribution (e.g. in the bibliography of a finished essay or report) and the extent of the quotation must be limited to what is required for the specific purpose.

The only exception to this is where it would be impossible in practice to acknowledge the source of your extract – for example, in a sound recording, film or broadcast.

Correct and consistent referencing of other people's work not only demonstrates you respect intellectual property rights; it can also help you avoid plagiarism.

For more information on referencing and plagiarism, visit the Cite them Right website. (Please note that the content can only be accessed after logging in. To do this click 'access via my institution' and choose 'Eastern Education Group'.)