Introduction to
Cite Checking

Cite Checking Procedures

Interpreting
Legal Citations

Locating Sources

Article & Book Delivery

Copy Cards

Getting Help

Law Library
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Cite Checking Basics

The task of placing citations in their proper format is typically called “cite-checking” or “Bluebooking. . .” The principle underlying the Bluebook is that citation form for cases, statutes, and other authorities should be consistent throughout the entire United States, so that a practitioner in Ohio can submit a brief to a New York court and all readers will know how and where to locate the authorities referred to in the document. 1

In short, cite-checking, or footnote checks (FNCs), involve reading a portion of the text and related footnotes as they appear in proper journal format and making corrections to all errors. For each packet the checker reviews the text for:

	spelling		grammar (note that grammar is not style)
	capitalization		font
	hyphenization		Bluebook form
	punctuation

For each footnote, the checker:

	provides the hard copy source in the library cited
	verifies that the authority cited supports the substance of the text
	verifies that the proper introductory signals are used
	verifies that the sources cited are listed in the proper order and proper Bluebook form is used
	verifies that all quotations are identical to the quoted authority

Changes and problems in the text and footnotes are documented for further work by the Managing Editors (MEs). You will receive feedback to help you learn. If your packet is incomplete or inadequate, your ME will return the packet to you to finish.

Things to Have on Hand

	The Bluebook, 18th edition
	This Guide
	LEXIS and WESTLAW id cards
	Copy Card issued by your journal (NO PERSONAL USE ALLOWED)
	Red Pens
	Highlighters

1 DEBORAH E. BOUCHOUX, CITE CHECKER: A HANDS ON GUIDE TO LEARNING CITATION FORM 1 (West/Thomson Learning 2001).