They are placed below the table itself or just below the figure title and typed in a font size that is smaller than the main text (e.g., 8- or 10-point font). In academic writing, headnotes are explanatory notes included with tables and figures. Headnotes are used as introductions in legal documents or as summaries of the text that follows them. The format is the same as that for footnotes. Endnotes, as footnotes, are numerically noted in superscript. In many cases, the book publisher decides the best placement. In books, they can be placed after each chapter or at the end of the book. EndnotesĮndnotes are much the same as footnotes except that they are placed at the end your research paper instead of at the bottom of a page. Ibid is short for the Latin “ ibidem”, which means “in the same place.” This format was previously used in most printed text but rarely used now. Some older journals use “ ibid” instead of a shortened version of the reference. When citing the same reference again, the footnote can be shortened as follows: The Nature of the Book: Print and Knowledge in the Making(Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998), 623. The format of footnotes is fairly standard (see below for specific rules) and is the same as that for references as follows:Īdrian Johns. Copyright permission: Cites quoted text and any reprinted materials used in the text.Content: Supplements or simplifies substantive information not detailed.When writing your research paper, you would use a footnote for two major reasons: the referenced text is followed by a superscript numeral ( 1), which corresponds to the numbered footnote at the bottom of the page. They are referenced in the text in the same way as a citation i.e. What Are They and Why Use Them? FootnotesĪ footnote is a reference placed at the bottom of a page or footer. We discuss the different types of notes, how to use them, and their pros and cons. The objective is to provide more information without distracting the reader. The notes should be kept as brief as possible.

Foot note