This article explains how to use the Bluebook citation format, specifically the “see, e.g.,” signal, which is a common and useful tool in legal writing. The Bluebook is the standard citation manual for US legal documents, and the “see, e.g.,” signal tells your reader that you are providing an example that supports your proposition, but not the only authority on the point. This guide will break down the rules, give you clear examples, and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Ingredients
- 1 legal proposition or statement that needs support
- 1 or more relevant court cases, statutes, or other authorities
- 1 Bluebook (21st edition) or reliable online guide (e.g., the Cornell LII guide)
- Optional: 1 pinch of common sense for context
Instructions
- Identify the proposition you are supporting. Before you add any citation, make sure your sentence states a legal rule or conclusion that a reader might want to verify. For example: “Courts have held that a contract is not enforceable if it lacks consideration.”
- Determine if “see, e.g.,” is the right signal. Use “see, e.g.,” when you are citing an authority that clearly supports your proposition, but you are not claiming it is the only authority, and you are not directly quoting it. If the authority directly states the rule, use “see” (without “e.g.”) or no signal at all. If the authority is the only one on point, use “see” (not “see, e.g.,”).
- Place the signal correctly. The signal comes after the proposition, before the citation. It is italicized. Example: “Courts have held that a contract is not enforceable if it lacks consideration see, e.g., Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (9th Cir. 2000).”
- Format the citation itself. Follow the Bluebook’s rules for the specific type of authority. For a court case, the basic format is: Case Name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year). For example: Smith, 123 F.3d at 458.
- Add a pinpoint (if needed). If you are referring to a specific page or section of the authority, include it after the first page of the case. For example: Smith, 123 F.3d 456, 458 (9th Cir. 2000).
- Punctuate correctly. After the citation, place a period if it ends the sentence. If you have multiple citations, separate them with semicolons. Example: see, e.g., Smith, 123 F.3d at 458; see also Jones v. State, 456 U.S. 789 (1982).
- Check for consistency. Ensure that your use of “see, e.g.,” is consistent throughout your document. Do not use it when you are citing a case that is directly on point; use “see” instead.
Tips
- Know the difference between “see” and “see, e.g.”: “See” means the cited authority directly supports your proposition. “See, e.g.,” means your proposition is supported by the cited authority, but there may be other authorities as well. Using “e.g.” when not needed can weaken your argument.
- Use “see, e.g.,” for examples, not for direct quotes. If you are quoting directly, use “see” or no signal, and include a quotation mark. For paraphrases, “see, e.g.,” is appropriate.
- Don’t overuse it. Using “see, e.g.,” for every citation looks lazy. Use it only when you are giving an example, not when you are citing the primary authority.
- Remember the comma and period. The comma after “e.g.” is part of the signal and is always included. The period after the citation is separate.
Serving Suggestions
Use “see, e.g.,” in legal memos, court briefs, law review articles, and any other legal writing where you need to support a proposition with an example. It is especially useful when you are citing a case that is illustrative but not the only one on point.
Variations
- “See also” – Use this when the cited authority is additional support, but not the primary support. It is similar to “see, e.g.,” but implies a bit more weight.
- “Cf.” – Use this when the authority is analogous but not directly on point. It means “compare.”
- “But see” – Use this when you are citing an authority that contradicts your proposition, to acknowledge the contrary view.
- “Accord” – Use this when you are citing multiple authorities that agree with each other.
Storage and Reheating
This is not a dish, so there is no storage or reheating. However, your legal arguments can be stored in a document for future use. Keep your citations in a separate bibliography or table of authorities for easy reference. If you need to reuse a citation, copy it carefully to avoid errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does “e.g.” stand for?
A: It stands for the Latin phrase “exempli gratia,” meaning “for example.” In Bluebook, it is used to indicate that the cited authority is an example, not the only one.
Q: Can I use “see, e.g.,” with a statute?
A: Yes, you can. The same rules apply. For example: “Several states have adopted the Uniform Commercial Code see, e.g., N.Y. U.C.C. Law § 2-101 (McKinney 2020).”
Q: Do I need to italicize the comma after “e.g.”?
A: Yes, the entire signal, including the comma, is italicized. The period after the citation is not italicized.
Q: What if I have two authorities that both support my proposition?
A: You can cite both, separated by a semicolon, after the signal. Example: see, e.g., Smith, 123 F.3d at 458; Jones, 456 U.S. at 791.
Q: Is “see, e.g.,” ever used without a comma after “see”?
A: No. The correct format is always “see, e.g.,” with the comma after “see” and the comma after “e.g.”
Q: Can I use “see, e.g.,” in a footnote?
A: Yes, the rules are the same for footnotes. Just follow the same format.
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