Subject guides: AGLC Guide: Footnoting

AGLC Rule

See the full details and examples in rule 1.1.1 of the AGLC4, page 1.

When do I footnote?

When you provide authority for your argument, for example, a case.
To acknowledge a source that is relevant to your argument.
To provide information about a quote, for example, where to find the source.

Where do I place the footnote?

Examples are provided in rule 1.1.2, page 2, of the AGLC4 and should:

Appear after the punctuation at the end of the sentence (e.g. after the full stop with no added space).
Directly after the relevant text (after punctuation such as commas and excluding em-dashes) where needed for clarity.

Kelly J explained, 'correct referencing is essential to the ability of the courts and academic institutions to test arguments and verify sources'.¹

_____________________

¹Re Onyeledo [2015] NTSC 60, [39].

Note:

The footnote number is placed after the full stop at the end of the sentence, or after relevant punctuation, or in a logical location in the sentence.
The citation information is placed next to the footnote number at bottom of each page.
Each citation in the footnote ends with a full stop.

AGLC and IRAC Example in Word

Transcript for Fun with Footnoting

How do I add a footnote in Microsoft Word?

Footnoting FAQ

What is a footnote?

A superscript number is placed in the text of your assignment; this corresponds to a note placed at the end of each page. The note contains the citation to the source you are referencing.

Where does my citation go in the footnote?

In the footnote at the bottom of each page.

How do I know what my citation should look like?

Think of what type of source you have; for example, is it a book, a journal, a case, or legislation?
Follow the examples in the AGLC for that type of source. Each source type will have 'citation elements' which tell you the order and format of your citation.

What if I have multiple sources in my footnotes?

Use a semicolon to separate sources, for example:

Muschinski v Dodds (1985) 160 CLR 583; Spratt v Hermes (1965) 114 CLR 226.

What if I have the full citation in my text?

If you use the full citation, then no footnote is needed. An example is citing legislation as a part of the sentence; Criminal Code 1983 (NT).

How do I add extra information in my footnote?

Footnotes may contain discursive text; they appear after a colon at the end of the relevant text; see page 4 of the AGLC4 for examples.

How do I explain to my marker how the citation applies to my writing?

You can use introductory signals for citation; see page 7 of the AGLC4 for examples.

How do I cite sources referring to other sources?

See rule 1.3 of the AGLC4, on page 8, for examples.

What is the difference between the footnote citation and what goes in my bibliography?

Your bibliography is a list of what you have used; it contains material in the footnotes and any other additional material you relied upon. Some other differences are:

Footnote	Bibliography
Pinpoints (to pages and paragraphs where needed)	No pinpoints
Full stops are used at the end of the citation	No full stops used
Appear in order as they appear in the text	In alphabetical order
Author's names are listed as they appear on the source	The first author's last name is put first