This guide introduces selected citation rules found in The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (21st ed.) and provides citation examples tailored to law students working on academic law journals. These examples are provided for instructional purposes only. Consult The Bluebook directly and follow its rules when preparing citations for publication. The Bluebook's online Quick Style Guide also offers formatting tips for commonly cited sources.
The Bluebook is available for purchase in print or online at legalbluebook.com. A limited number of print copies are also available on reserve at the law library for short-term use.
The Mabie Law Library reference librarians can help locate specific Bluebook rules and identify example citations. Contact the reference librarians for assistance.
The 21st edition of The Bluebook was released in mid-2020, with an updated printing in January 2021. Notable changes from the 20th edition are summarized in the following resources:
The Bluebook is organized into three primary sections:
Several built-in finding aids can help you navigate The Bluebook:
| Quick Reference: Law Review Footnotes | Inside of the front cover |
| Quick Reference: Court Documents and Legal Memoranda | Inside of the back cover |
| Index (find rules by keyword) | Back of the volume |
| Table of Contents (find major rules and tables) | Back cover |