This document defines and provides examples of common footnote abbreviations: e.g. (for example), i.e. (in other words), ibid (see the last citation), op. cit (already cited), cf. (go see), italics vs quotes (quotes indicate articles, italics indicate book titles), et al. (and others). It explains that footnotes send readers to other resources, provide additional information, and cite where the author found the information, effectively extending the argument presented in the text. The document encourages analyzing footnotes in the context of how they modify or support the overarching argument.

1. What do those little
squiggles at the bottom of
the page mean?
Or...understanding
footnotes

2. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list

3. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
“for example”.
The buffet provided excellent
variety, e.g., vegetarian and non-
vegetarian soups, Italian and
French breads, and numerous
sweets.

4. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
“in other words”.
It happened in August; i.e., two
months ago.

5. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
“see the last
citation”
[1] E.Vijh, Latin for Dummies
(NewYork: Academic, 1997), p.
23.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid., p. 29.

6. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
“already cited”
(9) R. Millan, Art of Latin
Grammar (Academic: NewYork,
1997), p. 23.
(10) G.Wiki, Towards a More
Perfect Speech (Blah Ltd.:
London, 2003), p. 354.
(11) Millan, op. cit., p. 5.

7. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
“go see”
The Phantom Menace is
generally regarded as the worst
movie of all time; cf. Dixon
(1972)

8. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
“quotes” = article
italics = book title

9. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
“and others”
For the best resource for
understanding why The Phantom
Menace inspired so many violent
protests, see Simmons,
McCarthy, et al. (2006)

10. e.g.
i.e
ibid
op. cit
cf.
italics vs. quotes
et al.
analyzing footnotes
The list
Footnotes are extended elements
of the argument.They send
readers to other resources, add
secondary information, and tell
you where the author found the
information.

11. Final
points
Most footnote questions
are really questions
about how those
footnotes are trying to
extend,modify, or
support the argument of
the text.