The phrase "making explicit reference" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means specifically mentioning or pointing to something in a clear and direct way, without any ambiguity. Example: In her essay, the author demonstrates an extensive knowledge of literature by skillfully making explicit references to various works of Shakespeare.
A new transatlantic relationship should involve both the alliance and the EU, making explicit reference to the further consolidation of the common European security and defence policy.
"As a scientist, as well as a Plos One academic editor and author I feel outraged by the publication of a ms [manuscript] making explicit reference to creationism," commented Dr Danilo Russo.
Making explicit reference to Bill Clinton's politically groundbreaking declaration in 1996 that the "era of big government is over," Dr. Dean, the former governor of Vermont, called for a new era for Democrats -- "not one where we join Republicans and aim simply to limit the damage they inflict on working families".
And the suggestion is that only the sense-datum theory can successfully distinguish what is going on in such cases, by making explicit reference to each of the apparent objects.
Without making explicit reference to A.J. Ayer or any other logical positivist, Dewey suggested that the logical positivist doctrine that had categorized ethical statements as expressions of emotive attitude could be understood as an identification of the "prizing" function of moral statements.
This idea is reinforced by the absence of memory biases in experiment 3 due to the effect of a pre-test questionnaire and words in the descriptors making explicit reference to cheating, cooperation and neutral/indifferent behaviors.
And on Friday officers intercepted a conversation in which Riina could be heard making explicit references to murdering Di Matteo in a public area, such as an airport.
Gifted at reproduction, he concentrated on making explicit references to other painters and other paintings, uncannily recreating the style, the light, the brushstrokes as well as the details of artists he loved.
Their conversation ranged from music to art to social science and philosophy, and was at times chillingly timely, with Cage making explicit references to the effects of pollution and conflict in the Middle East, waxing wistfully about how the world would be if people weren't always "at each other's throats".
They made explicit reference to the fact of her pregnancy.
Seigl's erudition allows Oates to make explicit reference to Greek religious concepts of hubris and nemesis.
