Parenthetical referencing, also known as Harvard referencing, is a citation style in which partial citations—for example, “”—are enclosed within parentheses and embedded in the text, either within or after a sentence.

The essays I had to write, always needed this particular referencing.

• Name of publisher, author, date of publication, print edition
• I used to find it really annoying, and detailed

I noticed recently, eBay prompting me to add all these small details about the book.

That’s how eBay works, it’s a catalogue. And you win, by listing your product more effectively by filling in more of the search specifics.