Signals
When should "See Generally" be used?
It is used for authorities that provides helpful background material rather than direct support.
Rule: 1.2(d)
What is the current edition of the Bluebook?
22nd edition
In a case citation, can you abbreviate United States when they are a party to a case?
No (always spell out "United States," but ommit "of America"; "U.S." is the preferred abbreviation for the official report for United States Supreme Court decisions).
Rule: 10.2.1(f)
What should you do if a website doesn't have a published date available?
Cite when you last visited.
Rule: 18.2.2(c)
What is the Five After Footnote rule?
You can use a short case citation only if the case was cited within the previous five footnotes.
Rule: 10.9(a)
When should you use "see" as a signal?
Utilize when the source does not state your proposition directly, but the reader can easily reach that conclusion by reading the authority; do not use it when the authority directly states your exact proposition or contains a direct quote.
Rule: 1.2(a)
What do we use the White Pages for?
Utilized for scholarly writing, journals, and law review.
You quote seven words from a judicial opinion, but the quotation appears within a sentence that otherwise paraphrases the court's reasoning. Does the citation need a pinpoint citation?
Yes. When quoting, you should provide a pinpoint citation identifying where the quoted language appears.
Rule: 10.3
When should you include a URL to the end of a citation?
Obsure sources (i.e. access will be improved by its inclusion) or online sources with print characteristics (i.e. the cited information could have been online or in print).
Rule: 18.2.1(b)(i)&(ii)
A case begins on page 250, and the proposition you are citing appears in footnote 7 on page 260. How should you provide the pinpoint citation?
260 n.7
Rule: 3.2(a)
When is it appropriate to use "at" before a paragraph symbol?
It is not appropriate. If a paragraph symbol is used instead, you drop the word "at" entirely to write § 4, ¶ 15.
Rule: 3.3
When citing a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report written by an individually named author, which portions, if any, should appear in large and small caps?
The author name, abbreviation of report, and abbreviation of number.
Rule: 13.4
A case was initially decided by a state appellate court, but the state supreme court later reversed the appellate court's decision. When citing the appellate court's decision, should the citation include the subsequent history?
Yes, the citation should include the subsequent history indicating that the decision was reversed.
Rule: 10.7
Should you use an online sources original published date or the last modified date if both are available?
Use the last modified date in lieu of the original online publication date.
Rule: 18.2.2(c)
Footnote 10 has two sources, and the author wants to cite to the same two sources in footnote 11. Should they use "id."?
No: "In law review foodnotes, use 'id.' when citing the immediately preceding authority...within the immediately preceding footnote when the preceding foodnote contains only one authority."
Rule: 4.1
When do you use et al. in a citation?
Under Bluebook rules, if there are more than two authors, et al. is appropriate.
Rule: 15.1(b)
However, in LJSJ, we cite ALL authors, so et al. is not appropriate ever.
What 3 typefaces are used in the whitepages that you should be familiar with?
Ordinary roman, italics, and large/small caps.
Can you use supra to refer to cases?
No.
Rule: 4.2
Name at least three instances when the bluebook recommends using a timestamp in a citation.
When citing:
- a blog post or online article that contains a timestamp,
- an email or listserve posting
- pinpoint citations in an audio transcript, video, podcast, or song
- comments and responses in a chat/blog
- any time the timestamp helps distinguish the source text from other related text
Rules: 18.2.2, 18.7, 17.2.4
A case is titled Smith v. Board of Regents of the University of Arizona. When creating the case citation, should "Board of Regents" be abbreviated?
Yes, words listed in T6 are always abbreviated. "Board" is abbreviated to "Bd." and "Regents" is not abbreviated.
Rule: 10.2.2
Which signal is used when citing contrary authority?
"Contra," "but see," and "but cf."; just "cf." is incorrect as it is a signal indicating support.
Rule: 1.2(c); 1.2(a)
If a case is reported in both the United States Reports and the Supreme Court Reporter, which reporter should generally be used in a Bluebook citation?
Citations to U.S. Supreme Court cases generally use the official U.S. Reports citation when available.
Rule: 10.3.1, T1.1
Should case names be italicized when it is grammatically part of the sentence?
Yes.
Rule: 2.2(b)(i)
What three elements are required to cite an emoji?
1) a replication of the emoji itself (if possible); 2) a parenthetical noting the official name or description of the emoji; and 3) the Unicode number associated with the emoji. (😀 (grinning face), U+1F600.)
Rule: 18.9
True or False: Every legal citation must include a pinpoint citation.
False. A pinpoint citation is required when you are referring to a specific page of an authority, but not every citation requires one. For example, a citation to an entire statute or case may not require a pinpoint.
Rules: 10.3 and 12.3.