Referencing is the practice of acknowledging the sources of information or ideas used in a piece of writing. It allows readers to trace the origin of the content, ensuring transparency and credibility. Proper referencing helps avoid plagiarism, which is the unethical use of someone else's work without giving credit. There are various styles of referencing, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago, each with specific rules for formatting citations. These styles dictate how to present details like the author's name, publication date, and title of the work. Consistent referencing enhances the quality of academic and professional writing.