A Bluebook Guide for Law Students

by Scott Akehurst-Moore
This guide provides commentary, models and tips on the Bluebook (19th Edition) for law
students. The author experienced frustration with the bluebook both as a first year and
on a law journal board. The author hopes this guide will offer some helpful advice.
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What do you want to cite?

CASES
STATUTES
ARTICLES
BOOKS AND TREATISES
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Other Areas
FAQ
ADVANCED/OTHER AREAS (e.g. short forms, signals)
TOPICAL - RULE INDEX
BOOKS ON THE BLUEBOOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Bluepages located at the start of the Bluebook is a mini-guide to Court Documents
and/or Legal Memoranda. Bluepage rules are sometimes have different rules but are always
based upon the normal non-bluepage rules.
Always, always, check for local court citation rules for court documents. See BT2 for each
state's court rules.
For any suggestions, questions or complaints you can e-mail: smoore@suffolk.edu

CASES:
CASE CITATION [Rule 10]
Main Menu
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Model
Party Name v. Party Name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year) (parenthetical).
Example
United States v. Legault, 323 F. Supp. 2d 217 (D. Mass 2004) (Jonas, J., dissenting) (noting
historical examples).
Typeface
Court Documents: Only the Party Names are underlined (excluding the comma). Remember
every citation sentence must end with a period.
Law Reviews: Do not underline party names, but italicize procedural phrases
========================================================
Party Names - Rule 10.2
Abbreviate and/or omit party names for easy but unambiguous identification.
The main party name rules are 10.2, 10.2.1 & 10.2.2. Rule 10.2 requires case names in textual
and citation sentences to conform with 10.2.1, but citation sentences should also conform to
Rule 10.2.2.
Some (but not all - read Rule 10.2 et seq) rules of thumb to keep in mind (1) Include only the first appellation of any party name [rule 10.2.1(a)] and
Remove any given names [rule 10.2.1(g)]
Edward G. Fielding becomes Fielding
Remove any organizational designations apart from the first [Rule 10.2.1(h)]
Barr Corp., Inc. becomes Barr Corp.

Remove words indicating muliple parties or legal titles [rule 10.2.1(a) & 10.2.1(e)]
Dagobert et al v. Hale, Administrator becomes Dagobert v. Hale

Remove "State of", "Commonwealth of" and "People of" and leave the state name unless

citing opinions in which the party is the state where the court is located, then use "State",
"Commonwealth" or "People" only [rule 10.2.1(f)]
State of Illinois v. Angus Moore, 23 Ill. 458 (1990) becomes State v. Moore, 23 Ill. 458
(1990)
John Stern v. State of Florida, 23 U.S. 234 (1990) becomes Stern v. Florida, 23 U.S. 234
(1990)
Note that in the first example the case is in the Illinois Supreme Court, thus State replaces
Illinois. In the second example the case is in the U.S. Supreme Court, thus the name of the
state, here Florida, is the name of the party.
Citation sentences must additionally abbreviate the words in Rule 10.2.2 and Table 6.
========================================================
Volume Number
The volume of the case reporter as noted on the reporter spine or inside cover.
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Reporters and Reporter Abbreviations - Rule 10.3.1 & 10.3.2
Which Reporter to Cite? [Rule 10.3.1]
For documents submitted to a court, always follow local court citation rules. BT.2.2 provides
references but always check with the court. These local rules often require parallel cites.
For all other documentation and law reviews, follow the rules set forth in 10.3.1, roughly as
follows:
(1) Cite to the regional reporter,
(2) If an opinion is available in a public citation format, cite to and parallel cite the regional
reporter
(3) Rule 10.3.1 provides an order of preference for opinions not found in (1) or (2)
See also Electronic Resources.
But How Do I know Which Reporter for a Particular Jurisdiction?
As noted before, check local rules for court documents, else regional. Consult Table 1 and the
appropriate jurisdiction to see what the correct regional or state reporter is.
What are the Reporter Abbreviations?
There is no table of abbreviations, so consult Table 1 for appropriate abbreviations for each
reporter. Students will get to know them over time.
(1) Regional Reporters

Reporter

Abbreviation

Atlantic

A.

North Eastern N.E.

North Western N.W.
Pacific

P.

Southern

So.

South Eastern S.E.

South Western S.W.
(2) Federal Reporters
Reporter

Abbreviation

Federal Reporter (federal appeals)

F.

Federal Supplement (federal district courts)

F. Supp.

United States Reports

U.S.

Supreme Court Reporter

S. Ct.

United States Supreme Court Reports, Lawyers'

Edition

L. Ed.

For other federal courts (e.g. bankruptcy), see Table 1.

(3) States
Each state's name has an abbreviation (Table 10) that is incorporated into each state's reporter
system. Reporters for courts of last resort usually contain only the state abbreviation (e.g. Cal.
= California Reports, or Mass. = Massachusetts Reports). Appeals courts usually have an
abbreviation of "appeals" in their reporter title. For everything else, consult Table 1 for the
appropriate reporter abbreviations.
(4) Remember to eliminate spaces between single capitals - which includes number/letter
combinations for circuits or editions (Rule 6.1).
For example: N.E.2d, S.D.N.Y.2d, Fed. Cir. or D. Conn.
(5) For public domain citation, see rule 10.3.3.
========================================================
Page(s) - Rule 3.2(a)
(1) When first citing a case, always provide the page on which the opinion begins.
(2) A pinpoint cite is required when the proposition you are supporting comes from a
particular sentence(s)/page(s) of a case. You cannot cite merely to the first page unless you
are talking about the case in general.

(3) If you wish to use a pinpoint cite when first citing a case, then add the page after the first
page number. This is true even if both are the same page.
For example:United States v. Legault, 323 F. Supp. 2d 217, 220 (D. Mass. 2004).
United States v. Legault, 323 F. Supp. 2d 217, 217 (D. Mass. 2004).
(4) Once you have given the full citation, subsequent short forms [Rule 10.9] can be used, but
always add the pinpoint cite (e.g. Legault, 323 F. Supp. 2d at 220).
(5) For multiple pages [Rule 3.2(a)], only retain the last two digits if the first are identical.
Use a dash to separate the pages (e.g. 190-92 or 199-201 or 188, 190-93).
======================================================
Court - Rule 10.4
A citation should indicate the court where an opinion was issued.
Apart from some exceptions noted below, the jurisdiction and court is indicated in a citation's
first parenthetical (before the year). Abbreviate the court and jurisdiction according to Tables
1 - 2 (jurisdictional), 7 (courts) and 10 (geographical).
Some wrinkles to keep an eye on are:
(1) If citing to the supreme court of the United States (U.S.), then no court or jurisdictional
indicator is necessary.
Richard v. Phillip Augustus, 24 U.S. 762 (1996)
(2) If citing to an opinion from a state's highest court, then only the jurisdictional indicator is
neccessary, unless (4) applies below [Rule 10.4(b)].
Richard v. Phillip Augustus, 34 N.E.2d 345 (Mass. 1987)
(3) If a reporter abbreviation clearly indicates the jursidiction, then the jurisdiction and court
abbreviation is not required in the parenthetical [Rule 10.4(b)].
Richard v. Phillip Augustus, 16 Mass. App. Ct. 322 (1872)
(4) If a reporter name is the same as a state's highest court's abbreviation, then no indicator is
required [Rule 10.4(b)].
Richard v. Phillip Augustus, 23 Mass. 123 (1965)
(5) Remember to eliminate spaces between single capitals - which includes number/letter
combinations for circuits or editions, e.g. S.D.N.Y.2d, Fed. Cir. [See Rule 6.1].

=========================================================
Year - Rule 10.5
Insert the year of decision [Rule 10.5(a)]. For decisions not published in official reporters,
give the exact date [Rule 10.5(b)].
=========================================================
Parenthetical Information - Rules 1.5, 1.6, 10.6
Additional information is sometimes included after the court/year parenthetical in a following
separate parenthetical.
There are two main types (though others exist, see rules 10.6 & 1.6);
(i) substantive information [rule 1.5] and
(ii) information regarding cases [rule 10.6].
Substantive Information [rule 1.5]
These are also called explanatory parentheticals.
If information is not appropriate in the text but would help a reader to understand a citated
proposition, then it should be added into a parenthetical. Further, explanantory parentheticals
should
(1) Begin with a present participle [rule 1.5(a)(i)] or
(2) Consist only of a direct quote [rule 10.5(a)(ii)]
A short statement can be used instead of the present participle (though the Rule is unclear as
to when). Never start a present participle with a capital letter. If a quote is a full sentence or
reads as a full sentence, then begin with a capital letter.
For example:
Smith v. Jones, 345 Mass. 222 (1990) (questioning the relevancy of DNA evidence).
Smith v. Jones, 345 Mass. 222 (1990) ("[E]ach author clearly infringed...").
Smith v. Jones, 345 Mass. 222 (1990) ("The author clearly infringed...").

STATUTORY CITATION (Rule 12)

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Model
(wide variations occur between jurisdictions)
Statute (year)
Example
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, 49 (2006) or 44 U.S.C. 1234 (2000).
Typeface
Court Docs: The statutory titles are underlined
Law Reviews: Use small caps for the statutory abbreviation
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Statute - Rule 12
If possible, cite to the official code and/or its supplement. Else, cite to an unofficial code
(usually the annotated version), then Lexis or Westlaw, then looseleaf, internet or newspaper,
in that order [rule 12.2.1].
Keep the following hints in mind;
(1) Often an act from a legislature is inserted into the official code at myriad places, making it
impossible to view it as a whole. When this occurs, you can cite to the public law number,
sessiona law or statutes at large [rule 10.2.2(a) & 12.4].
(2) The official federal code is the United States Code (U.S.C.). Cite therein if available [see
rule 12.3 & table 1]. This includes U.S.C. supplements [see rules 3.1(c), 12.2.1(a) &
12.3.1(e)].
If the statute has not yet been published in the U.S.C. and its supplements, then you can cite
to the United States Code Annotated (U.S.C.A.) or the United States Code Service
(U.S.C.S.).
The model for a federal statute is: Title Code Section (year).
28 U.S.C. 1350 (2006)
(3) If you are citing to a specific subdivision or subdivisions of a code section, indicate all the
subections. If you are citing to muliple sections, use . Consult rule 3.3 on how to use
section and paragraph symbols.
28 U.S.C. 1350(a)(2)-(c)(2) (2006)

(4) Official titles: Only include an official title when the statute is commonly cited that way,
or if the information would aid in the statute's easy identification within a textual setting [rule
12.3.1(a)].
Alien Tort Claims Act (ACTA), 28 U.S.C. 1350 (2006).
(5) Note that the Internal Revenue Code, because it is so distinct and commonly cited, has its
own special citation form under Rule 12.9.1. Thus instead of 26 U.S.C. 245 (2006), use
I.R.C. 245 (2006). See also Tax Material.
(6) Each state has its own statutory citation methodology. You should consult Table 1 and
look up the jurisdiction in question. Upon finding the appropriate jurisdiction, consult the
'statutory compilations' section. Most will provide the proper citation for both official and
unofficial codes, and which to use first . Some larger jurisdictions, like Texas, employ
subject-matter codes, e.g. Tex. Agric. Code Ann. 190 (Vernon 2006).
Note, for certain states you must indicate the publisher in the parenthetical.
========================================================
Year - Rule 12.3.2
Always cite to the date of the edition you are using. Thus, look to the year on the spine of the
volume, the title page, and lastly the copyright year (in that order). If the provision is in a
supplement or pocket part, cite to the edition of the supplement or pocket part. If a section is
partly updated in the supplement, then cite to both years.
If you find the statute online, technically you have to check the bound volumes (and
supplements) for the year.
For example,
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, 1 (2006)
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, 1 (Supp. 2006)
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, 1 (2006 & Supp. 2007).
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CITING ARTICLES
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Model for consecutively paginated articles [rule 16.3]
Author(s), Title, Periodical Name (year) (parenthetical).
Model for non-consecutively paginated articles [rules 16.4]
Author(s), Title, Periodical Name, Date of Issue, at Page.
Examples
Theodore Meron, Reflections on the Prosecution of War Crimes by International Tribunals,
100 Am. J. Intl L. 551 (2006) (discussing the Nuremberg trials).
Rachel Williams, Council Found Liable for Birth Defects, Med. L. Rev., Wed. 29, 2009, at 2.
Typeface
Court Doc: Underline the Article Title
Law Review: Italicize titles and small caps for the periodical title
==========================================================
Author - Rule 15.1 & Rule 16.1
Always cite an author's full name when first citing the work (first name then last name).
Include any "Jrs" or "III's," etc. [rule 15.1]. When there are two authors, list them as they
appear on the work. If there are more than two authors [rule 15.1(a)], either use the first
author's name followed by et al, or alternatively list them all. These rules apply to instiutional
authors as well. The same rules apply for editors/translators, except that the name goes in the
first parenthetical separated by a comma from other information [rule 15.2].
Henry Anjou & Louis Capet, Dissolving Feudal Ties, 24 J. Medieval Law R. 34 (2002).
Plantagenet, et al., Empire Building in the Medieval Age, 45 J. Medieval Law R. 44 (2002).
Roger of Howden, Chronica (William Stubbs trans., Oxford Univeristy Press 1999).
==========================================================
Article Title Rule 16.2 & Rule 8
Do not abbreviate or omit words in an article title (unlike party names in a case citation).
Capitalize words in the title according to Rule 8(a). This rule, in essence, requires the
capitalization of all words in a title, including any that begin a title, or immediately follow a
colon. But do not capitalize articles, conjunctions and prepositions when they are four or less
letters unless, as above, they begin the title or immediately follow a colon.

Lockerbie "Extradition by Analogy" Agreement: "Exceptional Measure" or Template?

==========================================================
Periodical Name Rule 16 & Table 13
Always use the abbreviations listed in Table 13 for the law journal or review title. This
abbreviation list takes precedence over any abbreviations used by law journals or reviews
themselves. If the title is not found in Table 13, then the Bluebook suggests that you structure
the abbreviation by employing words already abbreviated in the list. If there are any
geographic words, use Table 10.
Case Western Reserve Law Review becomes Case W. Res. L. Rev.
==========================================================
Year Rule 16
As found in the article [consecutive] or date of issue [non-executive].
==========================================================
Parenthetical
Follow same rules as used for cases.

CITING BOOKS and TREATISES

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Model
Volume, Author(s), Title Pinpoint Cite (edition year).
Example
Roy M. Mersky & Donald J. Dunn, Fundamentals of Legal Research 120 (8th ed. 2002).
Typeface
Court Doc: Underline the book title.
Law review: Italicize the book title
==========================================================
Volume - Rule 15.3
In large mutli-volume treatises, you will often have to indicate which volume you are using.
Insert the volume number at the start of the cite or a section after the title.
6 Austin W. Scott, The Law of Trusts (4th ed. 1990).
Austin W. Scott, The Law of Trusts 6.2 (4th ed. 1990).
==========================================================
Author Rule 15.1
(1) Cite the authors full name as given in the publication, which includes any middle initials
or other designations like Jr. or III. [rule 15.1]. For two authors, use an ampersand with both
full names [rule 15.1(a)]. If there are more than two authors you can either cite them all, or
cite the first followed by et al. [rule 15.1(b)].
Lynn M. LoPucki et al., Commercial Transactions: A Systems Approach (2d ed. 2003).
(2) Insert any editor(s) or translator(s) into the parenthetical [rule 15.2] followed by either
eds. or trans. - follow the usual rules for one, two or more authors.
Saint Adamnan, Life of St. Columba (Richard Sharpe trans., Penguin Books 1995).
==========================================================
Title - Rule 15.3 & Rule 8(a)
Indicate the full title as it appears on the title page. Do not abbreviate or omit words in the
title (unlike party names in a case citation). Capitalize words in the title according to Rule
8(a). This rule, in essence, requires the capitalization of all words in a title, including any that
begin a title, or immediately follow a colon. But, do not capitalize articles, conjunctions and
prepositions when they are four or less letters unless, as above, they begin the title or
immediately follow a colon.

Lockerbie: "Extradition by Analogy" Agreement: "Exceptional Measure" or Template?

==========================================================
Edition Rule 15.4
(1) Cite the edition that you are citing/relying upon - usually the latest. Do not indicate a first
edition, only subsequent editions. Note that it is 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, etc. Always make sure not to
superscript.
(2) If there are multiple editions by different publishers, then insert the publisher along with
the edition and year.
==========================================================
Year Rule 15.4
Indicate the year of publication.
==========================================================
Commonly Used Massachusetts Secondary Sources - Rule 15.8
(1) Massachusetts Practice (a multi-set treatise on Massachusetts law)
Insert, (1) the volume number, (2) the author(s) of the specific volume, (3) title of the specific
volume, (4) pinpoint cite if applicable, and (5) edition/year (and supplement if necessary). Do
not insert Massachusetts Practice as the title.
26 Herbert Lemelman, Uniform Commerical Code Forms Annotated (2005).
2 Charles Kindregan, et al, Family Law and Practice: with Forms (2002).
(2) Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) (another treatise set)
This follows the same template as Massachusetts Practice.
Mark J. Albano, et al., Chapter 93A Rights and Remedies (Hon. Margot Botsford ed., 2005).
John O. Mirick, Discovery and Trial Preparation in Mark J. Albano, et al., Chapter 93A
Rights and Remedies (Hon. Margot Botsford ed., 2005).
==========================================================
Special Book Citation Forms Rule 15.8
Some frequently nationally cited works have their own special citation form.
Common examples include:
Blacks Law Dictionary 45 (7th ed. 1999).
3 C.J.S. Animals 10 (2002).

10 Am. Jur. 2d Contracts 23 (2001).

Note on typeface,
Underline Black's Law Dictionary & subject headings in legal encylopedia, e.g. torts.

LECTRONIC RESOURCES [Rule 18]

Main Menu
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Bluebook requires citation to a printed source unless it is unavailable. "Unavailable" is
roughly translated as sources that are (i) not published in hard format, or (2) so obscure and
rare as to be deemed unpublished (Rule 18).
Parallel citations to both a printed and electronic source is permissible only when the
electronic citation substantially improves access [rule 18]. Follow the print source with
"available at" [see section below].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Commercial Electronic Databases [Rule 18.1]
In effect, the Bluebook is referring to Westlaw and Lexis (though there are others like
LoisLaw). These databases are deemed reliable enough to cite to when a source is
unavailable in a traditionally printed form and are preferred over other electronic sources
(Rule 18.1).
(1) Cases - cite to WL or LX when a case is unreported but has a WL & LX citation.
Case name; docket number; database identifier; court name; full date.
The database identifier is the code or number given to the source by the database.
In the example below, the identifier is 2000 U.S. App. LEXIS 2525.
Davis v. Latschar, No. 99-5037, 2000 U.S. App. LEXIS 2525 (D.C. Cir. Feb. 22, 2000).
(2) Statutes - in the parenthetical indicate the database, publisher and how current the
database is (comparable to the copyright year of the hard copy). Remember Rule 18 - only if
it is unavailable.
Mont. Code Ann. 2-4-7 (West, Westlaw through 2000 legislation).
(3) Other sources. Indicate any database identifiers and if it is unclear, which database is
being used in the parenthetical.
H.R. 2650, 108th Cong. 44(c) (2000), 2000 CONG US HR 4001 (Westlaw).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Internet Citations [Rule 18.2]
Direct Citations to Internet Sources
Cite directly to an internet source when a source does not exist in a traditionally printed form
or commercial database. Also, if there the internet has a source exactly the same as the
printed version and it would improve access, you may parallel cite to the internet with
"available at."

Model: author; title/statute/case name; pagination (publication date); URL

(1) Typeface the title or party name as you would for a normal citation. Do not underline the
URL. If there is no printed comparsion, treat the source as unpublished and follow rule 17.
See generally rule 18.2.3(b).
(2) If an author is unclear, a title alone may be used [rule 18.2.3(c)].
(3) Only pinpoint cite, if a page number appears in the document itself, e.g. PDFs, and not
screen numbers [rule 18.2.3(d)].
(4) Dates. Indicate a year if the date clearly refers to the material cited, else use "last visited
X date " in the parenthetical [rule 18.2.3(e)].
Tom Parfitt, 'Father of the Turkmen' dies 66, Guardian Newspaper, December 21, 2006,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,1976842,00.html.
Parallel Citations with Internet Sources - 18.2.2
A parallel internet citation (along with a traditional printed source), is encouarged if the
internet source is, 1) identical in content, and 2) will substantially improve access to the
source when the printed source is generally unavailable.
After the citation to the traditional source, insert "available at" followed by the internet
source (thus indicating that it is merely a secondary location for the material).
For example:
Town of Concord 2007 Community Preservation Plan, Concord Community Preservation
Committee (Sep. 25, 2006), available at
http://www.concordnet.org/dplm/CPPlan2006FFINAL.pdf.
Frequently Asked Question: Which URL do I cite? [Rule 18.2.1]
The URL should take the reader directly to the page, with no intervening links in between. If
the URL is long and unwieldy, then indicate the root URL with a parethentical explaining
how to access the information. Note, if the explanation itself is long and unwieldy, then resort
to inserting the unwieldy URL itself. PDF URLs are preferable over URLs with no PDFS.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Main Menu
Commonly asked questions (as fielded by reference librarians).
Questions
- What typeface conventions should I use?
- What do I end a citation with?
- What is a pinpoint cite, and when do I have to do one?
- How do I use short forms?
- What's the difference between a citation sentence, citation clause and textual
reference?
- How do I create "small caps?"
- What is the "present participle?"
- Which year should I cite for a statute or code?
- When would you ever cite to an annotated statute?
- Do I have to insert a statute's name?
- How do I cite a pocket part or supplement?
- What is a regional reporter?
- When do you use parallel citations?
- How do I use "available at" and "last visited" when citing electronic sources?
- How do I cite the Corpus Juris Secundum and American Jurisprudence?
- What does "works found within consecutively paginated articles" mean?
- What if the bluebook does not have an abbreviation for a periodical?
=======================================================
Which year should I cite for a statute or code?
See Rule 12.3.2.
Anytime you are faced with this question remember to always cite to the date of the edition
you are using. Thus, look to the year on the spine of the volume, the title page, and lastly the
copyright year (in that order). If the provision is in the supplement or pocket part, cite the
edition of the supplement or pocket part, and not the main volume. If you are refering to both
the main volume and pocket part or supplement, then cite to both (this might occur if an
addition is merely adding or changing something in the main volume).
If you find the statute online, technically you have to check the bound volumes for the year
(though in reality they are often the same).
For example,
Mass. Gen Laws. ch. 93, 1 (2006)

Mass. Gen Laws. ch. 93, 1 (Supp. 2006)

Mass. Gen Laws. ch. 93, 1 (2005 & Supp. 2006).
Also see Statute Section.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How do I cite a pocket part or supplement?
For statutes, see above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What does it mean when the bluebook says "works found within consecutively paginated
articles" - and when does it apply?
The short answer - in general, you do not have to worry. When an issue or volume is
numbered from its first page to the last in sequential order, then it is consecutively paginated.
An issue or volume may contain muliptle articles, editorials, etc within that same issue or
volume. Thus, when citing to that particular article in a consecutively paginated artile, the
page cite will be from that issue or volume's page range. Thus, you will not have to
additionally cite to a sub-issue or quraterly edition. Follow Rule 16.3
For example,
A volume has the following pages pp. 1-99. Within it are three acrticles at pp. 1-33, 34-66 &
67-99. This is consecutively paginated and when citing the second article, the cite would start
at page 34.
If within an issue or volume, each piece (e.g. article, editorial, etc) has its own numbering
system, and is not connected to the piece before or after, then it is non-consecutively
paginated. Thus, you will have to additionaly include in your citation the sub-issue or
quraterly edition, etc. Use Rule 16.4
For example,
A volume has three articles. Each article is numbered as follows, pp. 1-25, pp. 1-67 & pp. 187. This is non-consecutively paginate. To cite the second article, use page 1 of the article
and additionaly provide other information to locate it, i.e. sub-issue, season, etc.
See also Newspapers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What if the bluebook does not have an abbreviation for a periodical?
Structure the abbreviation by checking Table 13's other abbreviations. In other words, look at
the words in the periodical abbreviations, pick out the ones in your periodical and apply. If
there is no abbreviation for a word then use the full word.
Omit words like "a," "at," "in," "of" and "the."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do I end a citation with?

Unless the citation is a citation clause every citation, whether in a footnote or in a brief, must
end with a period. As a sentence by itself, it must also be separated by the next sentence by
two spaces.
Also see What's the difference between a citation sentence, citation clause and textual
reference?
For periods when citing to other court documents in a brief, see the Court Document section.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What's the difference between a citation sentence, citation clause and textual reference?
Citation sentence: A citation sentence is used when the citation refers to the entire preceeding
textual sentence. Begin with a capital and end with a period.
Citation clause: Use a citation clause when differing parts of one sentence require a citation.
Set off with commas, unless it ends a sentence, then end with a period. For party name
abbreviation rules, it is the same as a citation sentence.
Textual reference: When refering to a case by name alone, underline and cite fully with a
citation sentence or citation clause.
For example,
In the Colyer case Judge Anderson determined that mere membership in the communist party
was not a threat to the country. Colyer v. Skeffington, 265 F. 17 (1920). Judge Anderson was
later overruled on the communist issue, Skeffington v. Katzeff, 277 F. 129 (1922), but his
decision and reasoning was often later cited. Galvan v. Press, 347 U.S. 522 (1954); Bovinas
v. Savoretti, 146 F. Supp. 274 (1956).
In the above example, the first Colyer is a textual reference. The Skeffington is a citation
clause. The last is a citation sentence.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is a regional reporter?
A reporter is a bound publication containing case opinions. Many contain publishers'
annotations (e.g. Westlaw topic and key numbers). A regional reporter is one that covers
opinions from certain jurisdictions, e.g the Northeastern Reporter covers states like
Massachusetts and New York. Topical and state reporters are also common (e.g. Tax
reporters or family law reporters).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------When would you ever cite to an annotated statute?
If the statutory section has not yet been incorporated into the official statutory compilation or
its supplement, then you may cite to an unofficial annotated statutory compilation. Check
Table 1 for official codes for each jurisdiction.

For example,
The U.S.C. is published every six years, along with supplements. Sometimes a new statutory
provision may have not yet be incorporated in the main volume or supplement of the U.S.C.
Thus, you may then cite to the U.S.C.A. or U.S.C.S.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How do I create "small caps?"
In Microsoft Word, go to font, and then click small caps option, or use the short form
Control, Shift K. The "font" option is located in differing places depending on the version of
Word used.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is a pinpoint cite, and when do I have to do one?
A pinpoint cite is required when the proposition you are supporting comes from a particular
sentence(s)/page(s) of an opinion. Merely referring to the case is not enough unless you are
talking about the case in general terms. Also see Signals.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is the "present participle?"
A present participle is usually used in conjunction with the verb 'to be,' and should indiciate
an action that is in process and incomplete.
For example,
The professor was lecturing.
The author was reading his new bluebook guide.
Explantory parentheticals in the bluebook usually begin with present participles. Examples
include, but are not limited too, "questioning," "stating," "examining," etc.
For example,
Smith v. Jones, 345 Mass. 222 (1990) (questioning the relevancy of DNA evidence).
Smith v. Jones, 345 Mass. 222 (1990) (denying motion to dismiss).
Smith v. Jones, 345 Mass. 222 (1990) (elaborating on historical precedents).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What typeface conventions should I use?
Unfortunately, the Bluebook insists on two typeface conventions depending on what the text
is being used for. For Law Reviews consult Rule 2.1, and for Court Documents/Legal
Memoranda consult Bluepage [BB] Rule 13. Be sure to check with local rules for Court
Documents in case they differ.

The main differences are as follows.

Element

Law Review

Court Doc.

Case Names

Normal

Underline

Case Name Short Form

Italicize

Underline

Statutory Compilations

Small Caps

Normal

Title's of Books/Articles

Italicize

Underline

Title's of Legislative Materials

Normal

Underline

Explanatory phrases introducing

subsequent case history

Italicize

Underline

Introductory Signals, e.g. See

Italicize

Underline

Cross references

Italicize

Underline

Id.

Italicize

Underline

Law Review or Journal title

abbreviations

Small Caps

Normal

If you can suggest any other FAQs, please feel free to e-mail Scott Akehurst-Moore.

http://www.law.suffolk.edu/library/research/Bluebook/