Quick Forms and Editorial Choices

These forms are compact reminders of the source information to preserve. Brackets are placeholders. Complete each form from an inspected source and apply the receiving authority's requirements. The table does not certify compatibility with every style system.

Source or task	Working form	Essential check
Reported opinion	[Case], [volume] [reporter] [first page], [pinpoint] ([court/year])	Identify the correct opinion and court
Separate opinion	Full case reference ([author], concurring or dissenting)	Confirm authorship and role
Short case reference	[Short name], [volume] [reporter] at [pinpoint]	Ensure the antecedent is unambiguous
Neutral citation	[Case], [court-assigned identifier], [paragraph]	Use the issuing source's actual identifier
Slip opinion	[Case], No. [docket], slip op. at [page] ([court/date])	Preserve the slip version and pagination
Constitution	[Jurisdiction] Const. art. [number], § [number], cl. [number]	Use the instrument's own divisions
Code provision	[Title] [Code] § [section] ([version])	Check applicability and later amendments
Session law	[Act], Pub. L. No. [number], § [section], [volume] Stat. [page] ([year])	Distinguish enactment from codification
Bill	[Bill], [Congress], § [section] ([version/date])	Verify chamber, Congress, and version
Regulation	[Title] C.F.R. § [section] ([edition or version])	Identify annual or electronic source
Federal Register	[Document], [volume] Fed. Reg. [page], [pinpoint] ([date])	Distinguish proposed, final, and other status
Court rule	[Rule system] [rule/subdivision]	Separate national and local rules
Agency decision	[Proceeding], [identifier], at [locator] ([agency/date])	Confirm finality or other status
Docket document	[Title] [locator], [docket entry/attachment]	Identify the case when context does not
Transcript	[Witness/proceeding] [page:line range] ([date])	Use the actual transcript's coordinates
Record appendix	[Required record designation] [volume/page]	Recheck after final assembly
Book	[Author], [Title] [locator] ([edition/year])	Verify edition and author/editor role
Article	[Author], [Title], [volume/publication] [first page], [pinpoint] ([date])	Distinguish final publication and preprint
Web document	[Author], [Title], [date], [stable URL]	Verify that the URL returns the actual item
Dataset	[Creator], [Dataset], [version/snapshot], [repository/identifier]	State the analytical unit and method
Recording	[Creator], [Title], at [timestamp] ([date/platform])	Preserve the exact recording version
Treaty	[Treaty], [identifier/date], art. [number]	Separate text from party-status evidence
International decision	[Proceeding], [document type/identifier], para. [number]	Do not substitute a press release for a judgment

A compact house-style card

Use italic case names, readable source identifiers, and precise locators. Retain complete page-range endpoints in our examples. Keep short names distinctive. Use a direct explanatory sentence when a signal would conceal a qualification. Identify fictional examples. Record source versions. Prefer a stable source identifier plus a useful link over a link alone. Apply the receiving instructions whenever they prescribe a different presentation.

Ten questions before submission

1. Can the reader identify the source without guessing?
2. Does the locator reach the passage actually used?
3. Did I read that passage in context?
4. Does it support the sentence as finally edited?
5. Have I identified a separate opinion, allegation, proposal, or other limitation?
6. Is the cited version the one relevant to the task?
7. Have I resolved applicable citation-permission and treatment questions?
8. Do shortened forms and note references remain unambiguous after editing?
9. Does the final file satisfy the receiving requirements?
10. Can another reviewer reproduce the important checks from the source packet?