how to cite with footnotes

How to Cite with Footnotes: A Comprehensive Guide for Academic Writing

Why Use Footnotes?

When you write an academic paper, you need to give credit to the sources you use. Footnotes are a great way to do this because they allow you to provide more detailed information about your sources than you can in the body of your paper. This can be helpful for readers who want to learn more about your research, or for researchers who want to verify your claims.

How to Format Footnotes

Footnotes are typically placed at the bottom of the page on which they appear. They are numbered consecutively throughout the paper. Each footnote should include the following information:

• The author’s name
• The title of the source
• The publication date
• The page number(s) where the information can be found

Here is an example of a footnote:

1. John Smith, The History of the United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), 123.

When to Use Footnotes

You should use footnotes whenever you want to give credit to a source that you have used in your paper. This includes direct quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. You should also use footnotes to provide additional information that is relevant to your topic but that would not fit well in the body of your paper.

How to Cite Sources in Footnotes

The format for citing sources in footnotes depends on the style guide that you are using. The most common style guides are the MLA Style Manual, the Chicago Manual of Style, and the APA Publication Manual.

Each style guide has its own specific rules for citing sources in footnotes. However, there are some general principles that apply to all style guides.

• Always use the same style guide throughout your paper.
• Cite all sources that you have used in your paper.
• Be consistent in the way that you cite sources.
• Use the correct punctuation and formatting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a few common mistakes that people make when citing sources in footnotes. Here are a few things to avoid:

• Forgetting to cite a source. This is a serious academic offense.
• Citing a source incorrectly. This can confuse readers and make it difficult for them to find the source that you are referring to.
• Using too many footnotes. Footnotes can be helpful, but they can also be distracting if there are too many of them.
• Not using footnotes consistently. This can make your paper look sloppy and unprofessional.

Conclusion

Footnotes are a valuable tool for academic writing. They allow you to give credit to your sources and provide additional information to your readers. By following the guidelines in this guide, you can use footnotes effectively in your own writing.

Other Articles You May Find Helpful

• How to Write a Research Paper
• How to Cite Sources in MLA Style
• How to Cite Sources in Chicago Style
• How to Cite Sources in APA Style

FAQ about How to Cite with Footnotes

What is a footnote?

• Answer: A footnote is a note placed at the bottom of a page that provides additional information or a citation for a source.

Where do I put footnotes?

• Answer: Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page on which the citation appears.

How do I format a footnote?

• Answer: Footnotes are formatted using the P-A-S guidelines:

  • P– Parenthetical number in the text

  • A– Above-the-line information

  • S– Below-the-line information

What information do I include in the above-the-line information?

• Answer:
  • For books, include:
    • Author’s last name
    • First initial or full first name
    • Title of the book in italics
    • City of publication: Publisher, year
  • For journal articles, include:

    • Author’s last name

    • First initial or full first name

    • Title of the article in quotation marks

    • Title of the journal in italics

    • Volume number (and/or issue number) in italics

    • Page numbers

    • Year

What information do I include in the below-the-line information?

• Answer: Use the same information as you would for a regular citation, but omit the page numbers.

How do I cite a source that has already been cited?

• Answer: Use the abbreviation "Ibid." (Latin for "in the same place") followed by the page number, if necessary.

How do I cite a source with multiple authors?

• Answer: List all authors’ last names, separated by commas.

Can I use footnotes to provide my own commentary?

• Answer: Yes, but be sure to distinguish between your own commentary and the information from the source.

How do I avoid plagiarism when using footnotes?

• Answer: Always properly cite your sources and use quotation marks when quoting directly from a source.