Anaya Nolan
The Bluebook is a style guide that dictates how legal documents, including law review articles, are formatted and cited. Citation is unusually detailed in law review articles, with pinpoint citations (pincites) sometimes being used to direct the reader to a specific section of a source. Pincites are generally used when a more specific section of the source would be helpful, such as when an article provides particularly helpful background information. The Bluebook also provides rules for creating simple and straightforward case names and citing cases for the first time in a document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to use | When citing to a specific section(s) of the source would be helpful. For example, if pages 189–97 of an article provide particularly helpful background information, include a pincite to those pages. |
| When not to use | When the entire article is helpful background information, or when the author simply cites to the case itself, rather than a particular proposition in the case. |
| Use case | When a full citation (minus the case name) follows the first textual mention of the case name, a pinpoint citation is not required. |
| Use with other citation forms | Per Bluebook Rule 4.2(a), supras and infras referring to previously full-cited authorities should include pincites. |
| Example | The tide is beginning to turn on how the law, and specifically criminal law enforcement, views encryption in the age of cyber threats and espionage. |
| Author's perspective | Authors may consider journal staff as citation generators, which can cause tension with editors. |
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What You'll Learn
When to use a pincite
Pincites, or pinpoint citations, are important in legal research and writing as they help accurately cite and reference sources. They are references to specific pages, paragraphs, or sections within a court opinion or other sources.
- When citing tables, charts, or other graphical materials, provide the page number and designation that the source gives it. For instance, if multiple graphical materials appear on the same page, use commas and ampersands to separate them.
- When citing to a specific paragraph, use the ¶ symbol or the abbreviation "para." if the source is not ordinarily cited by page.
- When using a "see generally" signal, use a pincite when a more specific section of the source would be helpful. For example, if pages 189–97 of an article provide particularly helpful background information, include a pincite to those pages.
- When citing a case with a neutral citation and numbered paragraphs, use the paragraph numbers for the neutral citation pincite.
- When citing a case with parallel citations, be sure to use the page numbers corresponding to the correct reporter.
- When a pincite is used to refer to a specific page in a case to support a lawyer's argument.
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The Bluebook rules for pincites
The Bluebook, a style guide that dictates the formatting of legal documents, outlines the following rules for pincites:
When to Use Pincites
Pincites are used to provide a more specific reference to a source. For example, if pages 189–97 of an article offer particularly helpful background information, a pincite to those pages would be appropriate. If, however, the entire article is helpful background, a pincite is not necessary. Pincites are also not required when the author cites a case itself, rather than a particular proposition in the case.
How to Format Pincites
When citing a specific page in a citation that includes a page number, use a comma to separate the pincite from the first page of the source. For instance: Yuval Karniel & Stephen Bates, Copyright in Second Life, 20 Alb. J.L. Sci. & Tech. 433, 442 (2010). If necessary to avoid confusion, use "at" before the pincite: H.R. Rep. No. 105-452, at 11 (1998). A span of multiple pages may be cited by giving the inclusive page numbers separated by either an en dash (–) or a hyphen (-).
When citing footnotes, give the page number on which the note begins, the abbreviation "n.", and the footnote number. For example: Melissa L. Tatum, et al., Does Gender Influence Attitudes Toward Copyright in the Filk Community?, 18 Am. U. J. Gender Soc. Pol'y & L. 219, 230 n.42 (2009). A citation to multiple footnotes uses the abbreviation "nn." instead of "n."
When citing tables, charts, or other graphical materials, give the page number on which the item appears and the designation that the source gives it (if any). There should not be a space between the abbreviation of the source type and the number. If citing multiple graphical materials on the same page, use commas and ampersands (&) to separate them.
If an authority is organized by paragraphs introduced by the ¶ symbol, cite the relevant paragraph. If an authority is organized by paragraphs that are not introduced by the ¶ symbol, use the abbreviation "para." However, do not cite by paragraph if the authority is ordinarily cited by page.
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The author's role in providing citations
The role of authors in providing citations is an important one, with authors taking primary responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of their work, including citations. This includes the use of AI-assisted technologies, which should be carefully reviewed and edited by human authors, who are responsible for any submitted material.
Authors should be able to assert that there is no plagiarism in their work, including in text and images, and should not cite AI as an author. When citing sources, authors should follow the relevant style guide, such as MLA, APA, or Bluebook, depending on the discipline and publication. For example, the APA style guide provides directions on how to cite various types of authors and content creators, including organisations and government agencies, and how to avoid ambiguity when citing multiple works with similar groups of authors.
When using the MLA style, authors should provide the author's last name and page number in the text, with the author's name either in the sentence or in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase. The page number should always appear in the parentheses. For example: "According to Wordsworth, romantic poetry is characterised by a 'spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings' (263)."
In Bluebook legal citation, when citing graphical materials, the page number and designation given by the source should be provided, without a space between them. If citing multiple graphical materials on the same page, use commas and ampersands to separate them.
Authors should also be aware of any specific rules provided by the publication, such as the Temple Law Review's rules regarding pinpoint citations ("pincites"). A pincite is appropriate when a more specific section of the source would be helpful, such as when certain pages provide particularly helpful background information.
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When a pincite is not needed
A pincite is a pinpoint citation, referring to a specific page or paragraph within a source. According to Rule B.3: Pinpoint Citations, there are three instances when a pincite is not needed:
- When using a "see generally" signal: A pincite is only appropriate when a more specific section of the source would be helpful. For example, if pages 189–97 of an article provide particularly helpful background information, include a pincite to those pages. However, if the entire article is useful background, a pincite is unnecessary.
- When citing a case: Pincites are not required when the author cites a case in general, rather than a particular proposition within the case.
- When providing a full citation: If a full citation (excluding the case name) follows the first mention of the case name, a pincite is not necessary.
Additionally, when citing graphical materials like tables, charts, or other visual elements, provide the page number and designation given by the source. If the source is organised by paragraphs (¶), cite the relevant paragraph. However, if it is ordinarily cited by page, do not include a paragraph citation.
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Examples of pincites in law review articles
Pincites, or pinpoint citations, are used in law review articles to direct readers to specific sections of a source that support the author's argument. They are an essential part of legal scholarship, as they allow authors to provide specific references to their sources and enable readers to easily locate the relevant information within those sources.
Example 1: Citing a Specific Page Number
> "The case of Sweatt v. Painter, 339 U.S. 629, 632 (1950) is a landmark decision that addressed issues of racial segregation in education. The majority opinion, written by Justice Warren, can be found on page 632 of the report."
In this example, the pincite "632" directs readers to the specific page within the case report where they can find Justice Warren's majority opinion.
Example 2: Citing a Range of Pages
> "For a detailed analysis of the historical context leading up to the legislation, see pages 189-197 of the article 'Restoring the Power of Unions' by Julius G. Getman. These pages provide valuable insights into the social and economic factors that shaped the legal landscape at the time."
Here, the pincite "189-197" indicates a range of pages within the article that readers can refer to for additional background information.
Example 3: Citing Graphical Materials
> "Table 3 of the report, located on page 27, summarizes the survey results on public opinion towards the new privacy laws. The table reveals a significant concern for data security among respondents, with 78% indicating a desire for stronger protections."
In this example, the pincite "page 27" directs readers to the specific location of Table 3 within the report, allowing them to easily find the data being referenced.
Example 4: Citing Paragraphs
> "The amicus brief submitted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in support of the petitioner makes a compelling argument based on First Amendment rights. The relevant portion can be found in paragraph 4 of the brief, where they cite similar cases upholding freedom of speech."
Here, the pincite "paragraph 4" guides readers to the specific paragraph within the amicus brief that contains the argument being referenced.
These examples demonstrate how pincites are used in law review articles to provide precise references to source material, ensuring that readers can easily locate and verify the information being discussed.
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Frequently asked questions
A pincite is a pinpoint citation that directs the reader to a specific section of a source, such as a particular page or paragraph.
A pincite is appropriate when a more specific section of the source would be helpful. For example, if pages 1-10 of an article provide particularly helpful background information, a pincite to those pages would be useful.
No, a pincite is not needed when citing a case itself, rather than a particular proposition in the case.
The Bluebook is a style guide that provides rules for legal citation. It is known for its strict adherence to detail and precision in citation.
The proper Bluebook citation for articles appearing in consecutively paginated journals is: author, title, volume number, abbreviation of the periodical name, first page of the article, specific pages cited (if any), and year.
