The phrase "a general reference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a broad or non-specific mention of a topic or subject.
Example: "In the report, the author made a general reference to the importance of environmental sustainability."
Alternatives: "a broad mention" or "a vague reference".
McCarthy makes a general reference to "employee unions whose generous compensation and pension plans have cities, counties and states on the verge of bankruptcy". Has he failed to notice that Stockton and the other California cities that have recently gone into bankruptcy are charter cities?
Control (C): Pure medium as a general reference.
Another was when we found a general reference to the well results in another court document.
It was not clear if that was a general reference or the name of a new group.
But he does mention the $850 million settlement and makes a general reference to "criminal conduct" at the company.
He answers by a general reference to the delay through the ages between creation and broad acceptance – Beethoven, late Debussy and so on.
An hour later, a revised statement was released that replaced the reference to arbitration with a general reference to "proceedings" by the union.
In addition, the Visuddhimagga contains a detailed description of Buddhist meditative techniques and can be regarded as a general reference work on Theravada doctrine.
The second edition marks a great advance as a general reference with in-depth technical information that is accessible to a broad audience.
I took a general reference class and even an instruction class, which focused primarily on different theories, history, and pedagogical practices.
In addition to a textbook for advanced graduate students, it can also serve as a general reference to researchers and sophisticated practitioners.
