Sunday November 22, 2009

Quality Guidelines and Bluebook Considerations

Article IV of the North Dakota Law Review Constitution requires that each member complete his/her editing assignments and both writing porjects “satisfactorily.” A “satisfactory” quality submission means a thoroughly researched analysis and discussion of a law related topic. Please view prior published volumes of N.D. L. Rev. for compliance with the rules. Please note, however, that the 18th edition of the Bluebook is the highest authority for citation problems. The following criteria must be met in order to satisfactory complete each article. These considerations are the minimum qualifications to consider in writing your article.

I. Mechanics

A. Compliance with the Rules: all student work must comply with the following rules.

      1.      2 inch margins on the left, 1.5-inch margins on the right, top, and bottom of each page
      2.      Double-spaced text
      3.      Foot notes must be double spaced, but there is no need to indent the first line of each footnote
      4.      Your article should be submitted on TWEN by the deadline with no markings that indicate your name

B. Body/Text of the Article: a good source is the Gregg’s Manual. In a conflict, the Bluebook will trump.

1. Format titles and headings properly:

            a.            title: all CAPS and single spaced
            b.            numbered correctly: I, A, 1, a
            c.            styled correctly:

                  i.      I. = ALL CAPS
                  ii.      A. = Lg/Sm caps
                  iii.      1. = italicized, but the numeral will NOT be italicized
                  iv.      a. = normal text

d. spaced correctly

                  i.      from left margin
                  ii.      tabbed after outline number
                  iii.      second line tabbed over to first line’s text
                  iv.      no hanging headings on the bottom of a page

2. Spacing

            a.      after a period: 2 spaces
            b.      after a colon: 2 spaces
            c.      after a comma: 1 space
            d.      after a semi-colon: 1 space
            e.      after Id. by itself: 2 spaces
            f.      after Id. that is not at the end of the sentence: 1 space
            g.      no returns or tabs in sentences where they don’t belong

3. Apostrophes and all quote marks must be CURLY “smart quotes”

            a.      smart “” = correct
            b.      single smart ‘’ = correct
            c.      quotes: separate from text if using block quotes of 50+ words.
                      Indent correctly and space appropriately (for footnotes: see RULE 5.1)

C. Proper Citation form pursuant to Bluebook 18th ed.: do not adhere to the practioner’s pages (the blue pages).
For example, include use of italics and CAPS, but not underlining or bold.

      1.      Proper citation format for each footnote
      2.      Pinpoint pages are required
      3.      Ensure your footnotes comply with RULE 10.9 for the “Five Footnote Rule”
      4.      Footnotes are placed after all ideas that are not completely your own (this will cover most of your article)
      5.      Proper abbreviation in the text and footnotes: see “T” tables
      6.      Proper use of numerals in text and footnotes: RULE 6.2.a
      7.      Proper use of short citations
      8.      Proper use of pinpoint citations
      9.      Proper use of Id.
      10.    Proper use of parentheticals: match the number of parentheses
      11.    Proper use of signals: see RULE 1.2, 1.3
      12.    Proper use of supra/infra: each corresponds to the correct footnote
      13.    Proper order of authority within each footnote: RULE 1.4

II. Substance

A. Style and organization

      1.      Proper grammar: correct verb tenses, subject verb agreement, pronoun antecedent agreement
      2.      Correct spelling
      3.      Avoid one or two sentence paragraphs and other unacceptable formats
      4.      Correct punctuation: please watch your comma usage
      5.      Logical presentation and sequence of ideas and arguments

a. Appropriate transitions and roadmaps
b. Avoidance of repetitive redundancy

6. Appropriate components for Case Comments or Notes

a. Case Comments

                  i.      Facts
                  ii.      Legal Background
                  iii.      Analysis
                  iv.      Impact
                  v.      Conclusion

b. Notes

                  i.      Introduction + roadmap
                  ii.      Parts (I, II, III, etc) + mini roadmaps if necessary
                  iii.      Conclusion

B. Use of authority

      1.      Demonstrate an understanding of content or the cited and researched materials
      2.      Ideas must be supported with authority which generally implies that almost every sentence must be cited to authority
                with a footnote. Transitions and roadmaps are exempted from that rule. Your own conclusions must be cited to the                             authority that gave rise to your conclusions, generally requiring a parenthetical if inferences are necessary to make
                the conclusions.
      3.      Materials in the footnotes are useful and meaningful
      4.      Text and footnotes support each other
      5.      Each authority cited has been Shepardized/Keycited

C. Analysis

      1.      Present facts and factual background in an objective manner
      2.      Present legal background in an objective manner
      3.      Demonstrate grasp of the subject area
      4.      Discuss and resolve relevant issues

III. Bottom Line: Do you think this article is “satisfactory”?

A. This submission is a thoroughly researched analysis and discussion of a law related topic.

1. When you turn in this article, ask yourself if the article could be published in the current state without embarrassment
to yourself or the publication.

B. Reminder:

      1.      There is ABSOLUTELY NO collaboration allowed on your submission. If you visit with a professor regarding the topic
                in the course of writing, you must properly cite it as an interview and omit your own name from the citation to ensure
                anonymity in the voting process.
      2.      The only “collaboration” allowed outside of interviews with professors or practioners is work with your own
                Student Articles Editors.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Levi Andrist, Editor in Chief
levi.andrist@students.law.und.nodak.edu
or 701-777-2272