LaTeX has a powerful tool for citing references. For example, we want it to look like this [1] in the text when a reference is cited, then reference [1] to be correctly displayed in the right format at the end of the document. Instead of doing this in LaTeX we simply insert a citation flag. The reference at the end of the paper contains this same flag and the cross-reference is linked. so
this work was described in Remo's seminal paper~\cite{difra;prl96}. In that
paper he describes...
will appear as
this work was described in Remo's seminal paper [1]. In that paper he describes...
and the reference [1] is correctly listed at the end of the paper. Get in the habit of making citations like this.
Also, use the same technique for cross-referencing in the document. Instead
of writing as shown in Fig. 3
type as shown in
Fig.~\ref{fig;first great result}
then in the figure section:
\begin{figure}\label{fig;first great result}\caption{First great
result is illustrated by the crosses}...
This seems like a long-winded way of doing something simple, but has the power that you can insert figures and change figures and sections around and you always know that the figure, section, table, etc., numbering will be correct. This cross-referencing can be used for sections, chapters and tables as well as figures. See LaTeX manual for details. Again, get into the habit of using it and it will become simple. When you come to write your thesis, you will appreciate the power.