How to Write a Footnote
A footnote is a digression that you leave a reference to in the body of your writing but that you actually write at the bottom (or foot) of your page. You can include these digressions anywhere in your writing to give your reader more information, whether in the form of a citation (a reference footnote), of further explanation (a content footnote) or of both. It is important to know how to write these footnotes because they are a convenient way to offer your reader extra references or information without distracting them from the body of your writing.
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Instructions
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Decide on what kind of footnote you want to write: a reference footnote, a content footnote, or a combination of the two. The last option is usually used if you have something specific to say about the source that you have just cited that you cannot fit into the body of your essay. A reference footnote will direct your reader to the source that you are citing (for example: 1. See Fitzpatrick 187-88.). A content footnote provides further explanation that would otherwise not fit in the body of your essay (for example: 2. In the same passage, Fitzpatrick goes on to note that "as long as there is life, memories are eternal" (189), thus cementing my point.") (Reference 2).
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Open the "Insert" menu in your word processor, while your cursor is in the place where you want to place the number that will point to your footnote. On the "Insert" menu choose the "Footnote" (or "Reference" and then "Footnote") option. If you are writing by hand, write a superscript number in the place where you want to point your reader to your note and then write the same number at the bottom of the page to mark where the note will be.
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Write your footnote beside the number at the bottom of the page. Make sure that this number appears at the point in the body of your essay at which you want to direct your reader to your footnote. For full information on writing a reference, content, or mixed footnote, see the link to the summary of a footnote's format and usage rules in your style guide in the References or Resources section of this article.
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Check that your note is still necessary as you write and rewrite drafts of your essay or book. This is an important step because as you rewrite and edit your work you may find that you no longer need the reference contained in a footnote or that you are able to include a footnote's extra information in the body of your work. In either of these cases the footnote can be removed from your draft. If you are writing by hand, make sure to keep the location of your footnote consistent between drafts.
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Tips & Warnings
To keep your content footnotes focused, concentrate on only one key point when writing them. Remember that the purpose of the content footnote is to give your reader extra information on a single point of interest and it is not to give them a miniature essay on a point of interest.
As with any citation of your references any error in the citations that appear in your footnotes may result in accusations of plagiarism because of improper citation of the source that you used (and mis-cited). Be sure to follow your reference guide very closely when writing your citations.
Read a summary of your style guide's outline of how to handle footnotes to ensure that you are making the proper use of them. For example, footnotes are generally regarded as unnecessary in the MLA style, but are regarded as necessary for every reference to a source in Chicago style. Know your style guide to avoid rewrites and potential accusations of plagiarism.
According to the MLA, Chicago, and Turabian style guides, footnotes are to be placed at the bottom of the page on which they appear. However, according to the APA style guide footnotes are to be numbered as they are used but should come at the end of your work in a separate section entitled "Footnotes." Consult your style guide closely to ensure that you follow the proper format.
Footnotes provide a space for you to give your readers extra information or direct access to references. However, make sure that your content footnotes are not too long and digressive, or you will run the risk of disrupting the flow of your work. And make sure that reference footnotes are not overused or your work will begin to look less appealing to readers.
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