Footnote Mechanics Formatting Use the same font as the font used in your paper, but smaller. * Most word processing apps will do this for you, using Times New Roman 10-point font. Place the number after the closing punctuation Footnote superscript is place after the closing punctuation. If you have more than one footnote in a sentence, place the other at the end of the sentence clause it relates to (outside of the punctuation). An exception to this rule is with the use of dashes, in which case the footnote goes before the dash. Examples: Single footnote He describes this as “the complete absence of independent or inherent isolated existence” of anything at all.¹ Two footnotes Similar to Buddhists aversion of the idea of “self,” Comte-Sponville suggests,¹ “The self is a prison” and man has a spiritual duty not to “heal the ego” but to “heal ourselves of ego.”² Two footnotes with dash Detachment, or “non self,” can bring about a higher mental health, freedom, compassion, and joy¹—no wonder an ego-maniac is less inclined to behave ethically when nobody’s watching.² Use sequential numbers throughout your paper The footnotes should start at 1 and go from there. * For longer papers (like doctoral theses), footnotes may start over with each chapter. Discuss this with your editor or advisor if you’re unsure. Footnote Citations Write your bibliography first Typically, footnote citations are simplified versions of the full one provided in your bibliography. When the same source appears in footnotes more than once, use shortened versions for the subsequent footnotes. A source written by multiple authors should name the first author followed by “et al.”. Examples: Bibliography citations Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents. New Delhi: General Press, 2018. Sarris, Jerome, Adrienne O'Neil, Carolyn E. Coulson, Isaac Schweitzer, and Michael Berk. "Lifestyle Medicine for Depression." BMC Psychiatry. April 10, 2014. Accessed May 29, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3998225/. First footnote citations ¹Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents, 125. ²Sarris et al., “Lifestyle Medicine for Depression,” 12. Second (and subsequent) footnote citations ¹Freud, Civilization, 125. ²Sarris et al., “Lifestyle” 12. Using more than one citation in a single footnote Place a single footnote number at the end of the sentence and separate the citations by a semicolon in the footnote. If necessary, include a signal phrase to explain the relationship between the two sources or add additional commentary to explain why you’ve included the sources. Example: Text The idea is to teach impulse control and long-lasting methods of self-discipline that ultimately lead to a happier, pain-free life.¹ Footnote ¹Sarris et al., “Lifestyle Medicine for Depression,” 12; but for alternative views on brain states, see J. Allan Hobson, The Chemistry of Conscious States: How the Brain Changes Its Mind (London: Little, Brown, 1998), 127. Although some deem Hobson an outdated, more experimental pundit on the matter, his work continues to inspire research into topics otherwise untouched by neuroscientists. Other Uses of Footnotes Side notes Use a footnote for tangential or parenthetical comments that might interrupt the flow of your text or confuse readers. Example: Text He might say he was merely a witness to his life happening, on par with Buddhist meditative practices of “witnessing” where the meditator lets the senses mill about without attachment or judgment.¹ Footnote ¹This state is what many popular American meditation practitioners refer to as the “monkey mind.” Definitions, explanations, or clarifications Use a footnote to explain the meaning of a particular word or phrase or to clarify a key concept. Example: Text Ironically, meditating on suffering can actually reduce suffering in the long-run, hence many practitioners refer their patients to “The Four Noble Truths” to help them manage depression and anxiety.¹ Footnote ¹Kornfield, Jack. The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology (New York: Bantam Books, 2009), 12. The Four Noble Truths are: “1) The truth of suffering; 2) One can understand the cause of suffering; 3) Cessation of suffering or Nirvana; and 4) There is a path to the cessation of suffering.” Quotes or additional commentary Footnotes can also be used to provide any compelling quotes that relate to your paper or any additional commentary you may have on a particular point. Example: Text The Buddhist ethic is largely pacifistic, not harming others and especially not harming one’s own mind.¹ Footnote ¹Ironically, many western Buddhist practitioners turn to psychedelics and other mind-altering substances in order to aid them on the path to enlightenment. It appears that to some, harm is subjective.