Make sure it’s Bluebooked properly! This phrase tends to strike fear into the hearts of every law student in the United States – or at least the ones that I know. I will admit that I was a little apprehensive when I first was faced with the task of ensuring that my open memo for RWA was not only written well but that all of my citations were properly Bluebooked. The Bluebook can be quite intimidating, but if you give it time, you’ll find it easier to use. Of course, not everyone will be as Bluebook crazy as I am . . . but that’s ok. Eventually with use you’ll remember specific sections by heart – ch. 10 is case law and ch. 11 covers constitutions and statutes.
Here are a few recommendations I have for using the Bluebook to your advantage:
- Use the Index. If you’re not sure which section to use, flip through the terms listed in the back of the book. These will lead you to the specific page(s) listing out the particular rules for that material type.
- Avoid the blue-tipped pages at the front. These are not necessarily going to be accurate because they’re very basic forms for citations.
- If you find the general section, flip through it to find the specific applicable section.
- Read the fine print! I know there’s a lot of words and rules there, but learning how to do something properly the first time around will save you a lot of headache in the future.
Veterans Memorial Law Library 