Bluebook
Bluebook Citation Style Guide
The Bluebook is the standard legal citation system for law reviews, journals, and court documents in the United States.
When to Use Bluebook
- Law school papers and theses
- Law review articles
- Court briefs and memoranda
- Legal research papers
- Judicial opinions
Citation Format Overview
Bluebook uses a unique citation format with extensive abbreviations for courts, reporters, and legal terms. Citations can appear as full citations or short-form citations after the first reference.
Case Law Example
Full citation:
Brown v. Board of Educ., 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
Short citation:
Brown, 347 U.S. at 495.
Statute Example
42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2018).
Important Bluebook Rules
- Case names: Italicized in briefs, plain text in memoranda
- Court abbreviations: Use proper Bluebook abbreviations (S.D.N.Y., 9th Cir.)
- Pin cites: Include specific page numbers after "at"
- Signals: Use appropriate introductory signals (e.g., See, See also, Cf.)
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