Do not use a signal with a citation when you have directly borrowed someone elses. It is also common to employ more than one introductory signal, with citations introduced by different signals arranged as separate sentences. In law, a citation or introductory signal is a set of phrases or words used to clarify the authority or significance of a legal citation as it relates to a proposition. However, they can be understood and used with a little bit of knowledge. Explanatory phrases introducing prior or subsequent case history. The precise format of a case citation depends on a number of factors, including the jurisdiction, court, and type of case.
However, the following are rules and examples for other types of legal documents that many firstyear law students may need to cite in addition to cases and statutes. Citation of sources of authorities primary, secondary, and the internet explanatory parentheticals. For the order in which introductory signals are arranged, see rule 4. Bluebook default rules legal citators libguides at. However, the basic format of a case citation is as follows. Before we delve into some bluebook basics, please note that while the bluebook is. There are specific signals used that indicate support, contradiction. When instead they form the verb of a sentence that includes the citation they are not italicized or underlined. When writers do not signal a citation, the cited authority states the proposition, is the source of the cited quotation or identifies an authority referred to in. The case says, coffee is amazing and you quote those exact words. Amber chisholm general rules blue pages first section of rules for practitioners, organized as.
Numerical information pointing the reader to a specific statutory provision. Signals from common groups are separated by semicolons, not as separate sentences. Citing cases bluebook guide guides at georgetown law. Directly states the proposition authority referenced and cited no signal more than one authority could be cited but only one is cited because the. The bluebook encourages the use of parentheticals with some introductory signals see also and see generally and strongly encourages it with others compare, cf. However, the following are rules and examples for other types of legal documents that many firstyear law students may need to. This relation can be supportive, comparative, or contradictory. There is a standard set of clarifying or qualifying words used with. Introduction to bluebooking bluebook basics libguides. Case name first listed parties on each side italicized or underlined use t. Use no signal, for example, when directly quoting an authority or when restating numerical data from an authority.
Signals bb alwd ib citing an authority without any preceding word to clarify or qualify its connection to the text represents that the citation directly states the proposition or identifies a quotation or authority with which the citation is associated e. The scope of the indigo book s coverage is roughly equivalent to the bluebook s bluepagesthat is, the indigo book covers legal citation for u. The indigo book isnt the same as the bluebook, but it does implement the same uniform system of citation that the bluebook does. Underlining text within a pdf document using adobe acrobat 8. Typeface conventions bluebook legal citation tarlton law. In a diverse and rapidly changing legal profession, the bluebook continues to provide a systematic method by which members of. But it also rests firmly on the evolving practice of judges writing opinions and lawyers writing briefs. Citation format examples for footnotes general rules times new roman, size 10, 1 line spacing, justified. There are several introductory signals that are regularly used in legal citations, each of which means something different. In law, a citation or introductory signal is a set of phrases or words used to clarify the authority.
It is used in citations to present authorities and indicate how those authorities relate to propositions in statements. Signals of the same basic type supportive, comparative, contradictory, or background rule 1. Additional material introducing the online format is available on this sites help page. Examples include, but are not limited too, questioning, stating, examining, etc.
Generally, each citation will include the following. Possibly the name of a subject matter if the code is arranged by subject matter. So briefs that were professionally printed used italics, but briefs that were typed inhouse had to make do with underscoring. Generations of law students, lawyers, scholars, judges, and other legal professionals have relied on the bluebook s unique system of citation in their writing. The bluebook contains rules that prescribe how to cite a variety of legal documents.
Introductory signals there are several introductory signals that are regularly used in legal citations, each of which means something different. First, appellate courts in missouri dont follow the forms suggested in the bluebook for citing to missouri cases and statutes. This slatebook is keyed to the 17th edition of the bluebook, and that is the edition of the bluebook you should use. Before we delve into some bluebook basics, please note that while the bluebook is the. Make special note of the areas in which the slatebook rules differ from the bluebook. The rules governing the use of signals may be found in the uniform system of citation, with the following exceptions. That is followed immediately by one on how to cite the categories of authority that comprise a majority of the citations in briefs and legal memoranda. Typeface conventions bluebook legal citation tarlton. If directly quoting the proposition, identifying the full name of the source, or identifying an authority referred to in the text, no introductory signal is used. Signals are important because they indicate how a cited authority relates to the text. The bluebooks index includes numerous entries to quickly locate the rules for explanatory parentheticals, parenthetical indications, and how to do pinpoint cites for just about any source. Welcome to the bluebook, the definitive style guide for legal citation in the united states. Select the upperleft box to insert a 1x1 table if you want to add introductory text, such as a name or social security number, before the underline, insert a 2x1 table to change the length of the line, move the pointer over the end of the table until it becomes a resize pointer, and then move the arrow right or left to lengthen or shorten the line.
Introductory signals appear at the beginning of citation sentences. Commas, semicolons, and other punctuation marks should be in italics if they are part of the italicized material, not when they are an element of the citation in which they appear. You can learn the basic method, as well as button combinations that will bring up the underline options. Introductory signals are always underlined when they appear in citation sentences or clauses. An abbreviated name of the state code using large and small capitals. Show me citations attempts to solve two problems with using the bluebook. The white pages in the bluebook address academic citation. Id id for this ppt api object character vector string scalar. Underlining text within a pdf document using adobe acrobat 8 acrobat allows you to underline text within a pdf document using the underline text tool. What bluebook rule would help you decide which introductory signals to use in your string citation. Signals are important because they indicate how a cited authority relates to. There are too many rules for this introductory guide to cover. Explanatory parenthetical in the bluebook usually begin with present participles.
Signals of different types, however, must be grouped in different citation sentences. Underline definition of underline by the free dictionary. When an introductory signal is part of a textual sentence, however, it is not underlined. Learning to underline a digital text or a blank space in a digital document can be done in a variety of ways. Introductory signals are placed before every citation to indicate how the citations relate to the preceding sentence or clause. The following information regarding the bluebook citation format is an adapted version of the style and formatting guidelines found in the bluebook, 20th ed. Single underline double double underline heavy thick underline words only words underlined not spaces dotted dotted underline dottedheavy thick, dotted underline dash dashed underline dashheavy thick, dashed underline dashlong long, dashed underline dashlongheavy thick, long, dashed underline dotdash dotdash underline. In a continuation of last weeks article should we use italics or underline. Page 4 has a helpful table that sets out the differences between the typeface used in nonacademic and academic citation. Generations of law students, lawyers, scholars, judges, and other legal professionals have relied on the bluebooks unique system of citation in their writing. A description of the bluebook s structure of rules and tables additional to the one below is also available at section 3.
Some of the authorities support the proposition you are putting forward, but the last two are in direct contradiction to that position. Just the mention of bluebook citation will usually elicit groans from your listener. Use this citation method to cite to sources and authorities that relate to. For example, in the colyer case judge anderson determined that mere membership in the communist party was not a threat to the country.
Do underline or italicize complete works books, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, movie titles, etc. This introductory material is common to both the online and printed formats of the bluebook. Introduction to bluebooking bluebook basics libguides at. Thick, wavy underline wavydouble wavy, double underline none no underline. Id for this ppt api object, specified as a character vector or string scalar. Identifies authority referred to in text no signal 3.
X directly states the proposition, identifies the source of a quotation, or identifies an authority referred to in the text. When referring to a case by name alone, underline and cite fully with a citation sentence or citation clause. Using signals if you quote directly from a case then no signal is necessary. Legal writers use citation signals to tell readers how the citations support or do not support their. A lawyers guide to writing blog archive italics or. Use this citation method to cite to sources and authorities that relate to the sentence as a whole. Always use a signal unless 1 the cited authority directly states the proposition in the text.
This is not a comprehensive citation reference work. Jul 19, 2019 the precise format of a case citation depends on a number of factors, including the jurisdiction, court, and type of case. This is the only correct answer, and earns 3 points. In the old days before computers, lawyers underscored case names and introductory signals because typewriters and early wordprocessing programs could not italicize. No comma separates the signal from the rest of the. Signals are used in front of citations to alert the reader as to how that citation is being used.