Bluebook Tips

First year law students undertake the monumental task of mastering extremely complex legal topics. However, many new law students are surprised to learn that they must also master a bizarre system of citation, unique to the legal community. Using either Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD) or The Bluebook, lawyers use a citation method of specific abbreviations and punctuation. The Bluebook is a collaborative publication, continually updated by the Harvard Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Yale Law Journal and Columbia Law Review. The current version is the 19th edition.

Quick Reference

One of the best tips for using The Bluebook citation system is to make use of the quick reference guides on the front and back cover of The Bluebook. There is also a section of blue pages that discuss legal memorandum and court documents. These serve as both quick examples and substantive refreshers of the rules explained in detail on subsequent pages. Also, use The Bluebook website for quick reference.

Type of Source

Before picking up The Bluebook to work on a citation, always think about the type of source you are citing. The book is organized by source type. All of the rules and examples, as well as abbreviations, such as law journal names, can be found by looking at the source type and accompanying appendices. The sources to think about are cases, statutes, articles, regulations, books and treatises, and electronic sources.

Guides

Many law schools now offer various study guides for law students. These often include guides to The Bluebook. For example, Suffolk University School of Law publishes online A Bluebook Guide for Law Students. It includes examples along with excerpts of the rules at work in the example, as well as a topical index to the rules. Georgetown and Brigham Young are other examples of schools that provide online guides to The Bluebook. These free sources can be accessed by law students and the general public.

Practice

Just like playing a musical instrument or learning a foreign language, learning The Bluebook system simply takes practice. Practicing citation means writing everyday and making a point to practice writing a citation for every book, case or magazine you encounter. There are also software programs to help with practice. For example, LexisNexis offers an Interactive Citation Workshop. Though there is software available as word processor plugins, like Citrus, that will correct all the citations for you, mastering the Bluebook method is a must.