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In this lesson, you will learn the use of secondary sources like the Bluebook, and learn to cite them correctly.
The Bluebook
- Dictionaries
- Encyclopedias
- Online Guides
- Citation Guides
- Reports
- Treaties
- Law Articles
Proper Use and Citing of Statutes, Codes, and Rules
- Basic citation style
- Citation rules
- U.S. Code citation rule
- Postal Service example
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure citation rule
- Summons example
- State citation rule
- Easement example
Transcript
Secondary sources in legal documents should be used sparingly and only as supplemental information. For instance, if an appellate case in your jurisdiction fully explains a term, use of a dictionary to explain that same term is superfluous.
However, if a case or statute falls short of explaining a term or concept, a dictionary explanation is appropriate.
The remainder of this section will look at samples from secondary resources and how to cite them in legal arguments. The source used for these purposes is Georgetown Library\’s Bluebook Guide.
Say you\’ve found that dictionary definition that adds punch to your motion to dismiss. If you want to use it, cite it. What\’s important when citing a dictionary? Page number, edition, and year of publication.
This sample defines the term malpractice and properly cites it.
Citing encyclopedias is a little more complex than citing dictionaries. You need volume number, encyclopedia name, article title, and so on. The sample here shows good supplemental information.
The article, in fact, seems to call into question the duration of a woman\’s purported pregnancy.
It\’s highly unlikely that a pro se litigant will ever need law review or other articles, but you will come across a few in your reading.
To cite them, include the author\’s name, article title, volume number, periodical name, page number, and year of publication.
Yes. Include all of that.
Citing books and reports requires that you include the author\’s name, title, page number, and publication information.
This sample adds to a legal argument by shedding light on the concept of mental suffering.