Understanding Period Placement in Footnotes
In academic writing, the placement of the period relative to the footnote number can be a matter of style and personal preference. Most citation styles, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago, generally place the period after the footnote number. This article will explore the rules and exceptions for period placement in footnotes, along with examples and common practices.General Guidelines
When using the predominant citation styles, the period typically comes after the footnote number. For example:This is a sentence that needs a citation.1
However, it's important to note that specific style guides like APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Chicago have their own conventions. It's always a good idea to check the guidelines for your chosen style to ensure consistency and accuracy.Placement Rules in Citations
When citing a referenced source, the footnote follows the punctuation immediately. For instance, after a sentence that contains a footnote, the period typically remains at the end of the sentence. Consider the following example:This is the footnoted sentence: The famous scientist Will Huang says that this theory is the correct one.2
Here, the period is placed after the footnote number. The footnote itself is positioned at the bottom of the page: 2 Huang, Will. The Theory of Everything. P. 365. This arrangement is beneficial for both clarity and readability. It clearly indicates the end of the sentence and directs the reader to the relevant footnote.Special Cases and Variations
There are certain scenarios where the rules may vary. For example, when the quote is a full sentence, some writing guides suggest placing the period before the quotation mark. However, most citation styles recommend placing the period after the quotation mark. For instance:According to the renowned speaker, 'This is a full sentence with a quotation,'3
In this case, the period is placed after the closing quotation marks. On the other hand, if the quote is not a complete sentence, the period should be placed after the closing quotation mark. Example:The following excerpt is a partial sentence: 'This piece of evidence supports my argument.'4
In this instance, the period is placed after the period in the quotation.Footnote Formatting Variations
Different style manuals may have slightly different rules when it comes to footnote formatting. For instance, The Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition) advises that footnotes should follow punctuation immediately, with no space between the punctuation and the footnote, unless the footnote is introduced by a dash, in which case it follows the text with a space and then the dash.Example: See The Chicago Manual of Style for detailed instructions.
Additionally, some writers include footnotes directly after words or phrases, which can affect period placement. In such cases, the period is still typically placed at the end of the sentence, with the footnote placed before it:The famous scientist Will Huang, who says5 that this theory is the correct one,...
Here, the period is at the end of the sentence, and the footnote is placed where the author deems appropriate.