Cite Checking Resources: Bluebooking

I. Introduction to Cite Checking

- Intro

- How to Cite Check

- Preparing & Organizing

II. Locating & Collecting Sources

- How to Locate and Collect Sources

- Locating Common Sources

- Using the Library Catalogs

III. Checking Sources

IV. Bluebooking

V. Perma.cc

The next step in completing a cite check assignment is Bluebooking. This is the process of using reviewing, constructing, and editing footnotes so that citations are complete and consistent according to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation.

Getting to Know Your Bluebook
21st Edition [page numbers in blue]

I.   Familiarize yourself with the sections of The Bluebook

a.   Use post-it flags to mark important sections

b.   Some major sections that you may want to flag:

i.   Cases (Rule 10, p.95)

ii.   Statutes (Rule 12, p.120)

iii.  Legislative (Rule 13, p.135)

iv.  Books (Rule 15, p.147)

v.   Periodicals (Rule 16, p.157)

vi. Unpublished and forthcoming (Rule 17, p.169)

vii.  Electronic (Rule 18, p.174)

viii. Foreign (Rule 20, p.188 & Table 2)

ix. International (Rule 21, p. 195)

c.   Some additional sections to flag:

i.   California jurisdiction table (p.246)

ii.  Case name abbreviations (p.304)

iii.  Journal title abbreviations (p.304 & 320)

iv.  Signals (p.62)

v.   Parentheticals (p.65)

vi.  Quotations (p.83)

II.  Learn the most common rules

a.   How to cite periodicals

i.   Including typeface (Rule 16) & journal title abbreviations (T6 & T13)

b.   How to use signals

i.   Including formatting and typeface (Rules 1.2 & 2.1(d))

c.   How to cite books

i.   Including the multiple authors rule (Rule 15.1(b))

d.   How to cite cases

i.   Including typeface (Rule 2.1 & 2.2)

ii.   Including using the state tables (T1)

iii.  Including unreported cases (Rules 10.8.1 & 18.3)

e.   How to order signals and authorities  (Rules 1.3 & 1.4)

f.   How to cite statutes

i.   Including whether/when a date is required (Rule 12.3.2)

g.   How to cite electronic materials (Rule 18)

h.   How to cite legislative materials (Rule 13)

i.   How to format quotations (Rule 5.1)

i.   Including how to format an ellipsis (Rule 5.3)

j.   Whether to italicize a period (seriously!) (Rule 4.1)