examples of essays with footnotes

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How to use footnotes in MLA

Sometimes when writing a paper, you have additional information that you want to include, but it won’t work well in the main text of your paper. This additional information also may not work as a parenthetical citation. In those cases, you can use footnotes in MLA Style. (Note that this article is for MLA. If you are curious about footnotes in APA style, see APA footnotes .)

What is a footnote?

A footnote is additional information that is added at the bottom of the page and indicated with a superscript number. Writers choose to add a footnote when the information would be distracting if it appeared in the main text. You may choose to add a footnote when you want to clarify a point or justify a point of view. Footnotes can also be used if you want to show another line of argument on the topic, or you want to show the differences between your work and others.

While MLA format does allow for footnotes, writers are encouraged to use footnotes sparingly.

How to use footnotes

There are two types of footnotes: bibliographical and content.

Bibliographical notes

Bibliographical notes add additional sources relevant to your thesis. Use these types of notes when your references are too long and citing all of them would interrupt your text. In the note you can cite a long string of sources. You can also use bibliographical notes to make comments on your sources and to identify areas of further research. Keep in mind, however, that references to a few authors’ names can also be put into a parenthetical citation in the text.

MLA style recommends that you use bibliographic notes sparingly.

Content footnotes

Content footnotes offer information or commentary that doesn’t fit in your main text or offer a further explanation of the topic. Content footnotes also allow you to add background information that may be interesting to your readers or refer to other sources with more detail than in bibliographic notes.

Like bibliographic notes, MLA recommends that content notes should be used sparingly.

Endnotes vs. footnotes

The difference between a footnote and an endnote is its placement in the paper. Footnotes appear at the bottom of the same page where they are referenced.  Endnotes appear all together at the end of the paper in a list labeled Note(s) or Endnote(s). Endnotes are listed before the Works Cited page. You should ask your professors what style of notes are required in their classes.

Footnote format

Footnotes are formatted with superscript numbers that usually appear at the end of the sentence after the punctuation. You can also use a footnote in the middle of the sentence by placing the number directly after a punctuation mark. If you use a footnote in a sentence that has a dash, make sure the footnote number is placed before the dash. Footnotes should be numbered sequentially throughout the paper. Do not start over again at number 1 on each page.

The footnote citation at the bottom of the page should have the number, and it should also be in superscript. For the note itself, use the same font as the rest of your paper but in a smaller size. For example, if your paper is written in 12 pt. font, then your footnote should be in 10 pt. font. If you use a source in a footnote, you also need to include it in the Works Cited list at the end of your paper.

• Works Cited

Magyarody, Katherine. “‘Sacred Ties of Brotherhood’: The Social Mediation of Imperial Ideology in  The Last of the Mohicans and  Canadian Crusoes .”  Nineteenth-Century Literature , vol. 71, no. 3, 2016, pp. 315–342.  JSTOR , www.jstor.org/stable/26377183.

MLA Handbook . 9th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021.

Published October 27, 2020. Updated July 18, 2021.

By Catherine Sigler. Catherine has a Ph.D. in English Education and has taught college-level writing for 15 years.

MLA Formatting Guide

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To use endnotes in your paper, you need to follow the guidelines provided below:

General points

Use superscript Arabic numerals to number the endnote citations in the text. You can use your word processor’s notes feature so that the numbering is generated automatically.

Do not use the ibid abbreviation in endnotes.

The title of the endnote page at the end of your paper can be “Notes” or “Endnotes.”

If you want to add any citations within the note, include the page numbers in parentheses at the end of the sentence or at a natural breaking point.

Endnotes in the text

Place endnote indicators after any punctuation marks as in the examples below:

The work was compared with the literature study. 1

As Vivekananda said, “Education is the manifestation of divinity already in man.” 2

However, if you have a dash, place endnote indicator before the dash.

Drawing to the point mentioned by Shakespeare 3 —a dramatist, poet, and actor—we conclude that true love persists till the end of the doom’s day.

Other points

Multiple endnotes within a sentence are allowed. However, place them wisely to ensure clarity.

An endnote citation can appear in the middle of a sentence if the sentence warrants that placement for clarity, but insert the endnote in the least distracting (but unambiguous) place.

While MLA only uses endnotes in its publications, notes may be styled as footnotes or as endnotes.

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• Writing Tips

How to Use Footnotes and Endnotes in Essays

4-minute read

• 23rd February 2019

Footnotes and endnotes both offer a way to add extra information to an essay . But what should you include in footnotes and endnotes? And when should you use them? In this post, we run through everything you need to know about using footnotes and endnotes in essays.

What Are Footnotes and Endnotes?

Footnotes appear at the bottom or ‘foot’ of the page. This lets you add information to an essay without interrupting the flow of the main text. Usually, this will be a citation or non-essential commentary.

To indicate a footnote, you will need to add a superscript number to the text, such as at the end of this sentence. 1 These numbers then correspond to numbered notes at the bottom of the page.

Endnotes are like footnotes, but they appear together at the end of the document rather than at the bottom of individual pages. This means endnotes are less immediately accessible for the reader than footnotes, but it helps ensure that pages with multiple notes don’t become cluttered. If you are not sure which to use, check your university style guide for advice.

Footnotes and Endnotes in Microsoft Word

To insert a footnote or endnote in a Microsoft Word document, you need to:

• Go to References > Footnotes on the main ribbon
• Select either Insert Footnote or Insert Endnote as required
• Type your note in the newly created footnote/endnote

You can also customise the style of footnotes and endnotes by clicking on the little arrow in the bottom right of the Footnotes section of the References tab (or by going to Insert > Footnotes in Word for Mac ). This will open a new window where you can select your preferred formatting options.

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When to Use Footnotes and Endnotes

The main uses of footnotes and endnotes are as follows:

• To add a footnote citation in referencing systems such as MHRA and Chicago , with full source information also given in a bibliography at the end of the document. Endnotes are also used for citations in some systems, such as in IEEE or Vancouver referencing, where numbers in the text point to an entry in a reference list at the end of the document.
• To add non-essential commentary on something in the main text of your document. For example, if your research has raised a question that is not directly relevant to your essay, you may want to mention it in a footnote or endnote instead. This lets you acknowledge it in your work – showing the reader that you haven’t simply ignored it or failed to notice something – but without interrupting the flow of the main document.

Keep in mind, too, that some referencing systems use in-text parenthetical citations . As such, you should only give references in footnotes or endnotes if your university has asked you to do this.

Do They Count Towards the Word Limit?

We’re often asked whether to include footnotes and endnotes in the word count for an essay. Different universities have different rules about this, so you will have to check your style guide . However, you should never use footnotes or endnotes to try and cheat the word count.

The key here is that only non-essential information should go in footnotes or endnotes. As such, if you move vital evidence or analysis to a footnote, the person marking your work may ignore it. And reducing the word count is never more important than putting forward a full, coherent argument.

If you do need to reduce the word count in an essay, you have other options, such as rewriting wordy sentences or cutting repetition. Having your work proofread is a great way to ensure that your writing is always clear and concise, too, so let us know if you’d like any help.

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A Guide to Writing Research Papers with Footnotes

Footnotes are an integral part of research papers. They provide the reader with additional information about a particular point or source in order to support and back up your arguments. When utilized effectively, footnotes can be used to add depth and perspective to an academic paper. This guide will provide readers with a detailed overview on how to write research papers using footnotes, as well as tips on best practices for utilizing them most effectively within their work.

I. Introduction to Research Papers and Footnotes

Ii. understanding the purpose of footnotes in writing a research paper, iii. different types of sources used for citing evidence in a research paper with footnotes, iv. how to structure and format your document for writing with footnotes, v. using software tools to automate the insertion of citation references into your work, vi. tips on avoiding common mistakes when creating citations through the use of footnoting, vii. conclusion: best practices for successful integration of reference notation in a scholarly manuscript.

Research Papers and Footnotes The objective of a research paper is to critically analyze the sources that are cited in order to provide an informed, scholarly opinion. A key component of research papers involves including footnotes as citations for the information used within the paper. In essence, this approach allows readers to access more detailed and varied information related to topics being discussed in-depth within a text.

A footnote should always include the author’s name or abbreviation (e.g., JW), date published (in parentheses) followed by page number(s) where content was found (e.g., John Wilson 2020: 23). As these details can be cumbersome when working with multiple works from different authors at once, it is highly recommended that researchers use reference management software such as Zotero or Endnote for their writing needs. These applications allow users store citation data quickly and accurately across many mediums – particularly helpful if your research spans several decades!

Additionally, while most modern day styles have shifted towards parenthetical citations instead of traditional footnotes; certain disciplines still require students cite texts exclusively through the latter method – making them an essential skill set even in today’s digital world!

When writing a research paper, footnotes are an important tool for providing additional information to the reader. Footnotes can be used in several ways: to provide evidence and backup arguments, expand on ideas or concepts from sources without overly disrupting the flow of your own work, and support definitions with reputable references.

• Evidence & Backup Arguments – Footnotes can be used as primary source material when crafting a well-researched argument. This is especially helpful when making bold statements or introducing controversial topics. Supporting these assertions with reliable facts and data helps build credibility among readers.

For example , if you’re writing a research paper about gun control laws in the United States, citing credible studies within footnotes will help substantiate any claims made regarding their effects on crime rates.

• Expanding Ideas & Concepts – Writing long stretches of text about various topics discussed in other works can often lead to excess redundancy that leaves readers bored or confused. If there’s an idea or concept discussed by another author that needs further elaboration but is too lengthy for inclusion into your original piece then it should instead be referred to using a footnote.

For instance , while discussing chemical reaction pathways related to photosynthesis you could use one sentence containing all relevant details followed by “[insert Author Name] discusses this mechanism at length [see footnote xyz].” By directing readers’ attention towards previously established knowledge via footnotes they’ll not only avoid confusion but also gain insight into different perspectives presented elsewhere.

Primary Sources are documents or other materials which provide the first-hand information about an event, time period, person, etc. These can be in different forms such as letters, newspaper articles and reports from organizations or government institutions. In a research paper with footnotes these primary sources should always be included to support any claims made within the paper. Examples of Primary Sources:

• Book published by an author during their lifetime
• Speeches given by historical figures

Secondary Sources , on the other hand, refer to material that is derived from analysis of primary sources. This could include books written about events based off evidence found in primary source documents or magazine/newspaper pieces discussing current issues supported through facts originating from original source material. Examples of Secondary Sources:

• Biographies written after someone’s death

Creating Footnotes The use of footnotes in a research paper provides an additional source for the reader to refer to and look up citations. They are also a great way of providing supplementary information that does not necessarily fit into the body of your essay, yet is still relevant or important enough to be included. To create effective footnotes, you must first identify what type of footnote you want to include in your writing; whether it’s factual-based (e.g., citing sources), analytical (commenting on certain aspects) or personal opinion-related (expressing opinions). Depending on these factors, you can structure the contents accordingly.

Structuring & Formatting Your Document with Footnotes Once identified which type(s) will best suit your purpose, you should then move onto formatting them correctly within the document itself: add superscript numbers after any direct quotes used from sources as well as at other places where appropriate throughout your writing; cite bibliographical details related to cited resources below each respective number; separate facts and analysis by using subheadings before further discussing each concept in detail; avoid excessively long paragraphs so readers can easily locate pertinent points discussed through concise phrasing – if needed break them down into bullet point lists etc.; choose fonts consistent with those adopted for main text such as Times New Roman size 12 with 1/2 inch indentation. In summary, following the right format while creating footnotes helps make more sense out of complex texts making it easier both for writers and their intended audiences alike.

In the age of digital technology, software tools have become invaluable for automating tedious tasks. While writing an academic paper, one often has to cite a large number of references. This can take up a lot of time and cause considerable headaches if done manually. Fortunately, there are now various software solutions available that can automate the insertion of citation references into your work.

One such program is Referencer – a web-based tool designed specifically to save authors from having to painstakingly insert citations in their research papers by hand. 1 All you need do is enter your source material into its database and it will generate bibliographies according to whatever style you desire (e.g., APA or MLA). Furthermore, citing sources becomes as easy as clicking on entries in the ‘Cite’ menu when typing out your document 2 . For instance: To create footnotes for websites Referencer automatically generates HTML tags.

• “With Referencer’s click-and -cite feature enabled… inserting new cites takes only seconds.” (Langridge et al., 2016)

Apart from automated reference generation other features include realtime collaboration between coauthors as well as compatibility with most common Word processor programs. 3 .This allows team members working on different machines no matter where they are located around the world share documents without difficulty so they may continue editing them jointly . Indeed this type of convenience comes at no additional cost making Referencer ideal for university students collaborating on projects together!

Developing a Systematic Approach: To ensure accuracy and reliability when creating citations, it is recommended to develop a systematic approach. Start by establishing which style guide will be used for the paper (e.g., MLA, APA). This should then be followed consistently throughout the document. As an additional measure of quality control, check any newly-developed citations against existing ones from reliable sources such as published research papers.

Exploring Automation Options: Footnoting can also be automated through tools like Microsoft Word’s “References” tab or websites like EasyBib and Zotero that generate bibliographies in various formats with minimal input required on your part. Although these technologies offer significant convenience benefits compared to manual formatting techniques, they may not always yield accurate results since citation styles continue to evolve over time; therefore periodic review of generated documents is highly recommended.

Conclusion: Best Practices for Successful Integration Of Reference Notation In A Scholarly Manuscript

Having an effective reference notation system is essential to successful academic writing. It not only helps readers understand the flow of information, but also serves as a means of verification and validation by which authors can back up their claims with reliable evidence from credible sources. While there are numerous systems available for referencing material in scholarly manuscripts, this article has discussed some best practices that should be considered when selecting one.

For instance, adhering to proper guidelines set forth by publication style guides ensures consistency throughout a paper’s text and citation sections. Additionally, it is important that writers make use of high quality databases like JSTOR or EBSCOhost when looking up citations; these provide access to respected peer-reviewed research papers complete with footnotes [1] . Finally, if possible it would be beneficial to have other editors double check references before submitting an article; they may catch any errors overlooked during the initial review process. By considering these points while integrating reference notation into scholarly manuscripts researchers can improve overall accuracy and enhance reader comprehension.

[1] Hinchliffe LJ., What Are Footnotes? Journal Of Documentation 59 (3): 363–384

At the end of this article, we have gained an understanding of how to properly format and compose a research paper with footnotes. In addition to acquiring knowledge about citation styles, readers now know how these notes can be used for further exploring into particular topics or providing additional evidence and support for one’s argument. Moreover, readers understand that there is more than one style when it comes to citing sources which necessitates critical thinking in order to determine which would be most suitable depending on the context. This guide has provided sufficient information so that learners can take away something valuable from their experience in writing research papers with footnotes; thus equipping them with important skills they will carry over into future assignments.

Footnotes in a Paper: How to Use Them Effectively in Your Writing

Discover the best way to use footnotes in a paper. Get expert tips on how to efficiently and effectively use footnotes in academic papers.

Footnotes in a paper can be a valuable tool in providing a way to supplement our writing with additional information, citations, and explanations without disrupting the flow of the main text. However, many writers may be unsure of when and how to use footnotes effectively. In this article, we will explore the importance and usage of footnotes in academic writing, and provide practical tips for incorporating footnotes into your own writing. Whether you are a seasoned academic writer or just starting out, understanding how to use footnotes can help you increase the clarity and credibility of your writing.

What Are Footnotes?

Footnotes are a useful tool in academic writing that allows for the inclusion of additional information or comments in a document or text. Typically denoted by a small number or symbol in the main text, footnotes in a paper appear at the bottom of the page and can serve a variety of purposes. For example, footnotes can be used to clarify a point, provide background information, or give credit to a source that is not directly quoted or referenced in the main text. They are also helpful in avoiding disruptions to the flow of the main text, particularly when lengthy citations or explanations are required. In short, footnotes provide readers with additional information or references related to specific sections of the text, making them a valuable tool for researchers.

How to Write a Footnote

To write a footnote for a paper, follow these general steps:

• Determine what information needs to be included in the footnote. This may include the author’s name, the title of the source, the publication date, the publisher, and the page number(s) you are referencing.
• Place the footnote number or symbol at the end of the sentence or clause that requires the footnote. The footnote number or symbol should be placed after the punctuation, such as a period or comma.
• Write the footnote itself at the bottom of the page. The first line of the footnote should be indented, and the subsequent lines should be flush with the left margin.
• Format the footnote according to the citation style you are using (e.g. MLA, APA , Chicago). Each citation style has specific rules for how footnotes should be formatted, so consult the appropriate style guide for details.
• If you are using a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, you can use the “Insert Footnote” function to automatically insert footnotes and format them correctly.

Difference Between Footnotes and Endnotes

The main difference between footnotes and endnotes is their placement within a document. Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page on which they are referenced, while endnotes appear at the end of a document, chapter, or section.

Here are some other differences between footnotes and endnotes:

Chicago Style Footnotes

Chicago-style footnotes are a common citation style used in research papers. In this format, footnotes are used to provide information about a source within the text. There are two types of Chicago-style footnotes: short form and long form. Short form citations include only the basic details of a source if a full bibliography is provided, while long form citations include a full citation the first time a source is cited, with subsequent citations using the short form. 

Here is an example of a Chicago-style footnote using the short form:

“The concept of social capital has been widely discussed in recent years, with Putnam’s Bowling Alone¹ being one of the most influential works in the field.” At the bottom of the page, the corresponding footnote would appear as: ¹ Putnam, Bowling Alone, 26.

Note that the author’s last name is listed first, followed by the abbreviated title of the work (in this case, “Bowling Alone”), and the page number where the information was found.

Here is a Chicago-style footnote using the short form example:

First reference: John Smith, The History of Chicago (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005), 25. Subsequent reference: Smith, The History of Chicago, 30.

Here is an example of a Chicago footnote in text:

“According to Smith, the notion of human rights can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy.¹”² Bottom of page: ¹John Smith, The Origins of Human Rights (New York: Oxford University Press, 2021), 15. ²Smith, Origins of Human Rights, 22.

Learn how to make citations in Chicago style in our blog “ Chicago Style Citation Made Easy: Formatting and Examples “.

APA Style Footnotes

APA format generally uses parenthetical in-text citations instead of footnotes. However, there are two exceptions to this rule: content footnotes and copyright attribution. Content footnotes provide additional information on a single topic that does not fit coherently in the text, while copyright attribution footnotes are used when a writer uses a lengthy quotation or other copyrighted material, such as a stock photograph. Footnotes are formatted similarly to Chicago style, with sequential superscript numbers coming after the passage and the corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page.

Here’s an example of an APA-style footnote for supplementary information:

In-text: According to recent studies, the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection and transmission of the virus.¹ Footnote: ¹For more information on the studies cited, see Smith et al. (2021) and Jones et al. (2022).

Learn how to make citations in APA style in our blog “ How to Make Citations using APA Formatting: A Guide “.

MLA Style Footnotes

MLA (Modern Language Association) style does not typically use footnotes. Instead, in-text citations are used to indicate the source of information or quotations. However, if footnotes are required for a specific publication or assignment, the following guidelines can be followed:

Placement: Footnotes should be placed at the bottom of the page on which the reference appears.

Numbering: Footnotes should be numbered consecutively throughout the paper using Arabic numerals. The number should be placed after any punctuation marks, such as periods or commas.

Formatting: Footnotes should be single-spaced and in a smaller font size than the main text.

Content: Footnotes should include bibliographic information for the source being cited, as well as any additional information necessary to clarify the reference. For example, a footnote for a book might include the author, title, publisher, and year of publication, while a footnote for a website might include the URL and date of access.

Example of MLA Style Footnote for a book:

John Doe, The History of Art (New York: Penguin Books, 2000), 24. Example of MLA Style Footnote for a website: “The Benefits of Exercise,” National Institutes of Health, accessed May 15, 2023, https://www.nih.gov/health-information/benefits-exercise .

A MLA Style footnote text example:

Text: According to a recent study, the use of social media can have negative effects on mental health (Johnson 36).² Footnote citation: ² Johnson, Sarah. “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health.” Journal of Health Psychology, vol. 22, no. 1, 2018, pp. 35-44.

Learn how to make citations in MLA style in our blog “ A Writer’s Guide to MLA Format: How to Get It Right “.

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25 Examples

The following two examples are excerpts of an essay by KPU student J.R. Gurzon and are reproduced with permission.

This excerpt illustrates how footnotes are integrated into the writing. It shows an example of a first and subsequent footnote from the same source, as well as an additional first footnote from another source.

Annotated Bibliography

This excerpt illustrates a bibliography with annotations (adding annotations is only necessary if your instructor requires them). It shows the sources arranged in alphabetical order .

Bibliography entry:

Gurzon, J.R. “The First Outbreak of Minamata Disease & its Consequences.” The Emergent Historian 8 (Spring/Summer 2021): 10-18. https://journals.kpu.ca/index.php/eh/index.

Chicago Style Citations Copyright © 2021 by Ulrike Kestler and Sigrid Kargut is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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