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Bluebook Guide: Whitepages

This guide introduces the Bluebook's uniform system of legal citation.

Deviation

Here is the other deviation in The Bluebook, now involving materials on unpublished and forthcoming sources.  The Whitepages presents this topic in R17, pp. 169-74.  However, there is no corresponding rule in the Bluepages for this material.  If the need for citation arises for a practitioner in a court document, the Whitepages will certainly bridge any citation gaps, as the Whitepages enlarges and expands the Bluepages.  

Unpublished and Forthcoming Sources

The Bluebook provides table of examples of citations for unpublished and forthcoming sources, including such materials as unpublished manuscripts; dissertations and theses; letters, memoranda, or press releases; e-mail correspondence; forthcoming publications; and working papers.  See R17.1, p. 169.  Additionally, there are some examples on The Bluebook's Quick Style Guide. 

Unpublished Materials

Generally, a citation for unpublished materials not scheduled for publication should be in ordinary type and include the following (See R17.2, pp. 169-72):

  • Author name
  • Title or description of the work
  • Page(s) (if applicable)
  • The most precise writing date available
  • Information on where the work may be located (if possible)

Refer to R10.8.1 to cite pending and unreported cases and R12.6 to cite recently released, but unpublished statutes.  When an unpublished work is subsequently collected and published, cite per rule R15.5.2(b).

Note that there will be some tweaks to the general citation format presented above depending on the type of unpublished document.  See the specific Whitepages rules for the following types of unpublished documents.

  • Manuscripts (R17.2.1, pp. 169-70)
  • Dissertations & Theses (R17.2.2, p. 170)
  • Letters, Memoranda & Press Releases (R17.2.3, pp. 170-71)
  • E-mail Correspondence & Listserv Postings (R17.2.4, p. 171)
  • Interviews (R17.2.5, p. 171)
  • Speeches & Addresses (R17.2.6, pp. 171-72)
  • Working Papers (R17.4, pp. 172-73)
  • Electronic Databases & Online Sources (R17.5, p. 173)

Forthcoming Publications

A forthcoming book, article, or other work scheduled for publication will be cited in the same manner as the published work will be cited using the same typefaces.  See R17.3, p. 172.  However, there are exceptions for forthcoming works.  

  • Do not include a pinpoint citation after the title of the journal or book
  • Add the designation "forthcoming" in the date parenthetical
  • Include the month of publication (if available) in addition to the year in the date parenthetical. 
  • Omit volume number if such information is not yet available

Short Citation Forms

The Bluebook calls for the use of id. and supra forms in the same manner as they are utilized for materials appearing in periodicals (R16.9) and nonperiodicals (R15.10).  When there is no author listed, the name of the source will be substituted.  Also, enclose a page citation to the manuscript version of a forthcoming publication in a parenthetical.  See R17.6, pp. 173-74.

If materials are available only online, then use the normal short form appropriate for the source.  The URL need not be repeated following the full citation.

As always, The Bluebook provides helpful examples.  See R17.6, pp. 173-74.