Bluebook Block Quote Rule

According to the bluebook rules any quotation that is 50 words or longer must be formatted as a block quote. The bluebook recommends for example shortening any procedural phrases to abbreviations such as in re or ex parte as well as using any commonly understood abbreviations to shorten the names of the parties eg. You may have noticed this in your own reading.
bluebook block quote rule

In rule 52 the bluebook says you must block only quotations of 50 words or more.

Bluebook block quote rule. Guidelines for using block quotations. For quotations of 50 words or more the following formatting instructions should be followed. The bluebook rule 51ai requires that all quotations exceeding 49 words must be set off from the text as block quotations in lawyers briefs these are usually single spaced unlike the rest of the text. You must provide pinpoint cites for each reporter.

Univ rather than university. Because of the way block quotes are separated from the rest of the text many readers do not read them. Ultimately youre in charge of your block quotations so use them sparingly but effectively. See bluebook rule 51.

Dont startend the quote with quotation marks. Any internal quotes should be double quotes. Things to remember about block quotes. The bluebook requires you to include the remaining abbreviation for the court in the parentheses containing the date only when the court is not the highest court in the state.

When to use a block quote. Indent the entire quotation five spaces from the left and right margins. See b1013 at 13 14 rule 104b at 105 06. When you come to a block quote at most you skim it to see what its about then skip down.

In rule 52 the bluebook says you must block only quotations of 50 words or more. Do not use quotation marks. Only indent the quote if the quote itself is the beginning of a paragraph. Remember that any direct quote of 50 words or more should be offset from the text as a block quote.

Single spacing is required. In journals and books block quotations are commonly set in a smaller typeset. Quotations of fifty or more words are always intended left and right single spaced without quotation marks and justified. See b1013 at 13 14 rule 104b at 105 06.

Dont startend the quote with quotation marks. Any internal quotes should be double quotes. If the quote is in the body of the text the footnote number goes at the end. If the quote is in the.

If you have a shorter quotation youd like to highlight you may set it off as a block if you wish. But i say you can treat that rule as a recommendation not binding authority. Only indent the quote if the quote itself is the beginning of a paragraph.