Gavin Howe
Citing law review articles correctly is essential for legal scholars, practitioners, and students to ensure academic integrity and provide proper attribution to sources. The *Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation* is the authoritative guide for legal citation in the United States, widely used in law journals, courts, and academia. When citing law review articles, the *Bluebook* provides specific rules for formatting author names, article titles, journal names, volume numbers, page numbers, and publication years. Understanding these rules is crucial for accurately referencing scholarly works, as they vary depending on whether the article is from a print or electronic source, and whether it includes pinpoint citations. Mastery of *Bluebook* citation standards not only enhances the credibility of legal writing but also facilitates efficient access to cited materials for readers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | List all authors’ names in normal order (first name followed by last name). |
| Article Title | Capitalize the title using title case. |
| Volume Number | Include the volume number in bold or italics. |
| Journal Abbreviation | Use the official Bluebook abbreviation for the law review. |
| First Page Number | Include the first page number of the article. |
| Pinpoint Citation | Add a pinpoint page number if citing a specific page within the article. |
| Publication Year | Place the year of publication in parentheses after the volume number. |
| Electronic Resource Citation | If citing an online source, include the URL or DOI in accordance with Bluebook rules. |
| Footnote vs. Text Citation | Use footnotes for full citations and short citations in text if needed. |
| Subsequent Authors | For multiple authors, list all authors or use "et al." after the first author. |
| Special Characters | Use proper formatting for special characters (e.g., accents, hyphens). |
| Parallel Citations | Include parallel citations if the article is published in multiple sources. |
| Unpublished Articles | Cite as "forthcoming" or "unpublished" if not yet published. |
| Foreign Law Review Articles | Follow Bluebook rules for foreign journals, including language and abbreviations. |
| Student Comments/Notes | Treat as articles but note the specific designation (e.g., "Comment"). |
| Electronic Databases | Cite databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis with proper database identifiers. |
| Example Format | Author(s), Article Title, Volume Journal Abbreviation First Page (Year). |
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What You'll Learn
Bluebook Basics for Law Reviews
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is the go-to guide for legal citation, and it's essential for law review articles to adhere to its rules. When citing law review articles in Bluebook format, the primary goal is to provide clear and consistent references that allow readers to easily locate the sources. The basic structure for citing a law review article consists of four main elements: the author's name, the article title, the volume and page numbers of the law review, and the publication year. For example, a typical citation might look like this: *Author's Name*, *Article Title*, 123 Law Review Journal 456 (2023). This format ensures that all necessary information is included in a concise and standardized manner.
When citing the author's name, the Bluebook requires that you use the author's full name, with the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name or initial. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the article, separated by commas. For instance: *Smith, John* or *Doe, Jane & Roe, Richard*. The article title should be capitalized using title case, where the first letter of each major word is capitalized, and it should be italicized. Be sure to include any subtitles, separated by a colon, and also italicized.
The volume and page numbers are crucial for identifying the specific law review issue and the location of the article within it. The volume number refers to the sequential number of the law review's publication, and it should be abbreviated as "Vol." if not already included in the journal's title. The page number indicates the starting page of the article. If the article spans multiple pages, you may include the full page range, such as 123 Law Review Journal 456-601 (2023). Note that the volume number and page numbers are not italicized, and the page numbers are separated from the volume by a space.
In addition to the basic citation elements, the Bluebook also provides rules for handling special circumstances, such as articles with no author or articles that are forthcoming or available only on an electronic database. For example, if an article has no author, you would begin the citation with the article title. If the article is forthcoming, you can indicate this by adding "(forthcoming 2023)" after the law review title. For electronic sources, include the URL or DOI, and access date in parentheses after the citation. It's essential to consult the Bluebook for specific rules and examples to ensure accurate and consistent citations.
Furthermore, when citing law review articles, it's crucial to pay attention to the specific rules for abbreviations, punctuation, and formatting. The Bluebook provides detailed guidelines for abbreviating words, such as "Volume" to "Vol." and "Page" to "p.". It also specifies the use of periods, commas, and other punctuation marks in citations. For instance, a comma is used to separate the author's name from the article title, and a space is used to separate the volume number from the page numbers. By following these rules, you can ensure that your law review citations are not only accurate but also visually consistent and easy to read. Remember, the Bluebook is a comprehensive resource, and its rules may seem overwhelming at first, but with practice and attention to detail, you can master the basics of citing law review articles.
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Citing Print vs. Online Articles
When citing law review articles using the Bluebook, the format differs slightly depending on whether the article is accessed in print or online. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate and compliant legal citations. For print articles, the citation generally includes the author’s name, article title, volume number, journal title, page number, and publication year. For example: *Author, Article Title, Volume Journal Title Page (Year)*. The focus is on the physical elements of the publication, such as the volume and page numbers, which are essential for locating the article in a library or collection.
In contrast, citing online articles requires additional information to account for the digital nature of the source. The basic structure remains similar, but the citation must include a pinpoint citation to the specific page or paragraph if the article is paginated differently from the print version. Additionally, the Bluebook mandates the inclusion of the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) in parentheses, followed by the date last visited. For instance: *Author, Article Title, Volume Journal Title Page (Year), available at URL (last visited Date)*. This ensures that readers can access the exact online version referenced.
One key difference between print and online citations is the treatment of pagination. Print citations rely on traditional page numbers, while online citations may use paragraph numbers or section identifiers if the article lacks stable page numbers. The Bluebook emphasizes clarity and accessibility, so if an online article has a DOI, it should be used instead of a URL, as DOIs are more stable and reliable over time. For example: *Author, Article Title, Volume Journal Title Page (Year), DOI (last visited Date)*.
Another important consideration is the optional inclusion of the publication’s database or platform in online citations. If the article is accessed through a specific database, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, the Bluebook allows for the database name to be added after the URL or DOI. For example: *Author, Article Title, Volume Journal Title Page (Year), available at Database, URL (last visited Date)*. This provides additional context for readers who may need to access the article through a subscription service.
Finally, consistency and precision are paramount when citing both print and online law review articles. While the core elements remain the same, the additional requirements for online citations reflect the evolving nature of legal research in the digital age. By adhering to the Bluebook’s guidelines, legal writers ensure that their citations are both accurate and user-friendly, regardless of the medium through which the article is accessed. Always double-check the specific rules in the latest edition of the Bluebook, as minor updates may occur over time.
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Author and Title Formatting Rules
When citing law review articles using the Bluebook, proper formatting of the author’s name and the article title is crucial for clarity and consistency. The Bluebook provides specific rules for this, ensuring that citations are uniform and professional. For the author’s name, the general rule is to list the last name followed by a comma and then the first name and middle name or initial. For example, "Smith, John D." is the correct format. If the author has a suffix, such as Jr. or III, it follows the last name with a comma in between, e.g., "Smith, John D., Jr." The author’s name should be in normal font, with no bolding, underlining, or italics, unless the citation is part of a specific context that requires emphasis.
The title of the law review article follows the author’s name and is separated by a comma and a space. According to the Bluebook, the title should be italicized to distinguish it from the rest of the citation. For example, the citation would read: "Smith, John D., *The Impact of Technology on Legal Practice*." If the article title includes a subtitle, it should be included after a colon, and both the title and subtitle should be italicized, e.g., "*The Impact of Technology on Legal Practice: A Comparative Analysis*." Punctuation within the title, such as question marks or exclamation points, should be retained as it appears in the original source.
In cases where the article has multiple authors, the Bluebook allows for the use of "and" between the last two authors, preceded by a comma after each author’s name except the last. For example, "Smith, John D., Brown, Emily, and Lee, Michael" is the correct format. If there are more than three authors, the citation may use "et al." after the first author’s name, but this is generally discouraged in favor of listing all authors to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Smith, John D., et al." should only be used if listing all authors is impractical.
Special characters or non-English names in the author’s name should be preserved as they appear in the original source. However, diacritical marks (e.g., accents, umlauts) are optional and may be omitted if they are not readily available in standard typing formats. For example, "José Martínez" can be cited as "Martinez, Jose" if the special character is not easily accessible. Similarly, titles in non-English languages should be italicized, and their formatting should follow the conventions of the language in which they are written.
Finally, if the author’s name is unknown or the article is unsigned, the citation should begin with the title of the article, which is italicized. For example, "*The Evolution of Contract Law*" would be the starting point of the citation. In such cases, the title takes the place of the author in the citation structure. These rules ensure that the author and title are consistently and accurately represented in Bluebook citations, maintaining the integrity of legal scholarship.
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Volume, Page, and Date Requirements
When citing law review articles using the Bluebook, the Volume, Page, and Date Requirements are critical components of a proper citation. The volume number of the law review is typically listed immediately after the title of the article, italicized, and followed by the first abbreviation of the law review’s name. For example, if citing an article from the *Harvard Law Review*, the citation would include the volume number in italics, such as *123 Harv. L. Rev.*. This volume number indicates the specific edition of the law review in which the article was published and is essential for locating the source.
Following the volume number, the page number where the article begins is included. This is placed after the abbreviated law review title, separated by a space. For instance, if the article starts on page 456, the citation would read *123 Harv. L. Rev. 456*. The page number is crucial for pinpointing the exact location of the article within the volume. If the citation includes a specific page or section within the article, a pinpoint cite can be added after the initial page number, separated by a comma and a space (e.g., *123 Harv. L. Rev. 456, 478*).
The date of publication is another mandatory element in Bluebook citations for law review articles. It is placed in parentheses immediately after the page number. The year should be written in full, without any punctuation other than the parentheses. For example, the citation would appear as *123 Harv. L. Rev. 456 (2024)*. The date is essential for verifying the currency and relevance of the article, especially in legal research where timeliness is often critical.
In some cases, law review articles may have unique formatting or supplementary information that affects the Volume, Page, and Date Requirements. For instance, if an article spans multiple pages, the full page range should be included (e.g., *123 Harv. L. Rev. 456–78 (2024)*). Additionally, if the article is part of a special issue or symposium, this information may be added after the date, though it does not impact the core volume, page, and date elements. Consistency in formatting these components ensures clarity and adherence to Bluebook standards.
Finally, it is important to note that deviations from the standard Volume, Page, and Date Requirements may occur in specific circumstances, such as when citing articles from non-traditional or online law reviews. However, the fundamental structure remains the same: volume number, page number, and date. Always verify the specific rules in the Bluebook for any exceptions or additional guidelines, particularly when dealing with less conventional sources. Mastery of these requirements ensures that citations are accurate, professional, and compliant with legal citation norms.
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Special Cases: Unpublished or Forthcoming Articles
When citing unpublished or forthcoming law review articles in Bluebook format, it is essential to provide sufficient information for readers to locate the source, even though it may not be publicly available. The Bluebook acknowledges that such articles present unique challenges and offers specific guidelines to address these special cases. For unpublished articles, the primary goal is to ensure clarity and accessibility, as these works are often in a transitional phase and may not have a final, published version.
In the case of an unpublished manuscript, the citation should include the author's name, the title of the article (in quotation marks), the phrase "unpublished manuscript," and the year of writing. For example: *John Doe, "The Evolution of Digital Privacy Laws: A Comprehensive Study" (unpublished manuscript, 2023)*. This format ensures that the reader understands the article's status and can identify it based on the author's name, title, and year. If the article is forthcoming in a specific journal, the citation should reflect this by including the journal's name and the anticipated publication year. For instance: *Jane Smith, "Rethinking Corporate Liability: A New Framework," 56 Harv. J.L. & Tech. (forthcoming 2024)*. Here, the citation provides the author, title, journal name, volume number, and the word "forthcoming" followed by the expected publication year.
The Bluebook also addresses situations where an article is available in an online repository or database but is not yet formally published. In such cases, the citation should treat the article as an electronic source, including the URL or database information. For example: *Emily Johnson, "Climate Change Litigation: Global Trends and Implications," (unpublished manuscript, 2022), https://ssrn.com/abstract=4567890*. This approach ensures that readers can access the article through the provided link, even if it is not yet part of a formal publication.
It is crucial to note that the Bluebook emphasizes the importance of accuracy and completeness in these special cases. If the article's status changes (e.g., it becomes published), the citation should be updated accordingly. Additionally, when in doubt about the most appropriate way to cite an unpublished or forthcoming article, it is advisable to consult the latest edition of the Bluebook or seek guidance from legal citation experts. By following these guidelines, legal scholars and practitioners can ensure that their citations remain reliable and informative, even for works that are not yet widely available.
In summary, citing unpublished or forthcoming law review articles requires a tailored approach to convey the article's unique status while maintaining the Bluebook's standards of precision. Whether the article is an unpublished manuscript, forthcoming in a journal, or available in an online repository, the citation must provide clear and specific details to guide readers. Adhering to these guidelines not only enhances the credibility of legal writing but also facilitates access to emerging scholarship in the legal field.
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Frequently asked questions
The basic format for citing a law review article in Bluebook style is: Author’s full name, Title of Article, Volume Number Abbreviated Journal Name Page Number (Year).
Use the official Bluebook Table T.13 for approved abbreviations of law review titles. For example, "Harvard Law Review" becomes "Harv. L. Rev."
No, the Bluebook does not require or recommend including the author’s credentials in citations for law review articles.
Add the URL or DOI in parentheses after the page number, e.g., Author’s full name, Title of Article, Volume Number Abbreviated Journal Name Page Number (Year), available at [URL] or doi:[DOI].
