Footnotes: Definition, types, and examples

A footnote is a note of text that is placed at the bottom of a page in a document and is referred to by a superscript number or symbol in the main text. A superscript indicator, typically an asterisk (*) or number (1), that points to the corresponding reference on the document page are used to indicate a footnote within the text. Footnotes are used to provide additional information or to give credit to sources for ideas, quotations, or other information included in the text.

There are a few general rules for writing footnotes:

1. Footnotes should be numbered consecutively throughout the document, starting with 1.
2. The number should be placed after any punctuation, except for a dash.
3. The footnote number should be superscripted (raised above the line of text).
4. The footnote text should be placed at the bottom of the page, indented, and single-spaced.
5. The first line of each footnote should be indented. Subsequent lines should be flush with the left margin.
6. The footnote text should be in the same font and size as the main text.

Things to consider when writing footnotes

Here are a few more points to consider when using footnotes;

• Footnotes are usually used in academic writing to provide additional information or to give credit to sources for ideas, quotations, or other information included in the text. They can be used to provide further clarification or explanation, to provide references for statements or claims made in the text, or to acknowledge the contribution of others.
• Different style guides provide specific rules for the use of footnotes, such as the Chicago Manual of Style and the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Manual. These guides often provide guidelines on how to format footnotes, how to cite sources in footnotes, and how to use footnotes in conjunction with other elements of the document, such as bibliographies and endnotes.
• In some cases, footnotes may be used to provide commentary or to make asides that are tangential to the main argument of the document. In these cases, it is important to use footnotes sparingly and to make sure that the information provided in the footnote is relevant and useful to the reader.
• When using footnotes, it is important to be consistent in their use and to follow the rules and guidelines of the style guide being used. This helps to ensure that the footnotes are clear and easy to understand and that the sources of information are properly acknowledged.

Footnote vs. Endnote

A footnote is a note of text that is placed at the bottom of a page in a document and is referred to by a superscript number or symbol in the main text. An endnote, on the other hand, is a note of text that is placed at the end of a document and is referred to by a superscript number or symbol in the main text.

The main difference between footnotes and endnotes is their location within the document. Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page on which they are referenced, while endnotes appear at the end of the document, usually after the bibliography or list of references.

Both footnotes and endnotes are used to provide additional information or to give credit to sources for ideas, quotations, or other information included in the text. However, the choice of whether to use footnotes or endnotes is often a matter of style and preference, and different style guides may have different guidelines for their use.

For example, the Chicago Manual of Style generally recommends the use of footnotes, while the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Manual recommends the use of endnotes. It is important to follow the guidelines of the style guide being used to ensure consistency and clarity in the use of footnotes and endnotes.

Chicago style footnotes

Chicago-style footnotes are footnotes that are used in documents written according to the guidelines of the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). The CMS is a widely used style guide that provides guidelines for the preparation of scholarly and professional writing, including rules for formatting, citation, and documentation.

In Chicago style, footnotes are used to provide additional information or to give credit to sources for ideas, quotations, or other information included in the text. Footnotes are numbered consecutively throughout the document, and the number is placed after any punctuation, except for a dash. The footnote number should be superscripted (raised above the line of text).

The first line of each footnote should be indented. Subsequent lines should be flush with the left margin. The footnote text should be in the same font and size as the main text.

Here is an example of a Chicago-style footnote in a document:

In the main text:

The average lifespan of a domestic cat is around 15 years.1

At the bottom of the page:

1. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average lifespan of a domestic cat is around 15 years.

APA style and MLA style footnotes

APA style footnotes and MLA style footnotes are footnotes that are used in documents written according to the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA), respectively. Both the APA and MLA style guides provide guidelines for the preparation of scholarly and professional writing, including rules for formatting, citation, and documentation.

APA-style footnotes are used to provide additional information or to give credit to sources for ideas, quotations, or other information included in the text. In APA style, footnotes are generally not used, and other methods of citation, such as in-text citations and a reference list, are preferred.

MLA-style footnotes, on the other hand, are used to provide additional information or to give credit to sources for ideas, quotations, or other information included in the text. In MLA style, footnotes are numbered consecutively throughout the document, and the number is placed after any punctuation, except for a dash. The footnote number should be superscripted (raised above the line of text).

Subsequent lines should be flush with the left margin. The footnote text should be in the same font and size as the main text.

Here is an example of an MLA-style footnote in a document:

In the main text:

Some experts argue that social media can be a powerful tool for building connections and engaging with customers.1

At the bottom of the page:

1. See, for example, “The Power of Social Media for Business” by John Smith (Journal of Marketing, Vol. 52, No. 3, pp. 35-40).