How to Cite a Case
Provide the name and year in APA., Use the first part of the first party in MLA., Write the name and year in Chicago.Like APA style, Chicago style demands that both the full name of the case and the date of the decision be included when a case is...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Provide the name and year in APA.
When citing a case within the body of your writing, APA style demands that both the name of the case and year of the decision be included in the citation.
The case is usually named within the sentence and the year is typically included in parentheses.
Italicize the name of the case.
Sample Plaintiff v.
Sample Defendant (2010) Example:
Desegregation became an official national policy with the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v.
Board of Education (1954). -
Step 2: Use the first part of the first party in MLA.
When mentioning a decision or ruling associated with a specific case using MLA style, you need to include the first part of the first party listed in the case name within parentheses.
No year or additional information is needed, and it does not need to be italicized. (Plaintiff), for "Plaintiff v.
Defendant" Example:
Desegregation became an official national policy in 1954 due to a Supreme Court ruling (Brown). , Underline or italicize the name and provide the year in parentheses.
Sample Plaintiff v.
Sample Defendant (2010) Example:
Desegregation became an official national policy with the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v.
Board of Education (1954). -
Step 3: Write the name and year in Chicago.Like APA style
-
Step 4: Chicago style demands that both the full name of the case and the date of the decision be included when a case is cited in the body of the text.
Detailed Guide
When citing a case within the body of your writing, APA style demands that both the name of the case and year of the decision be included in the citation.
The case is usually named within the sentence and the year is typically included in parentheses.
Italicize the name of the case.
Sample Plaintiff v.
Sample Defendant (2010) Example:
Desegregation became an official national policy with the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v.
Board of Education (1954).
When mentioning a decision or ruling associated with a specific case using MLA style, you need to include the first part of the first party listed in the case name within parentheses.
No year or additional information is needed, and it does not need to be italicized. (Plaintiff), for "Plaintiff v.
Defendant" Example:
Desegregation became an official national policy in 1954 due to a Supreme Court ruling (Brown). , Underline or italicize the name and provide the year in parentheses.
Sample Plaintiff v.
Sample Defendant (2010) Example:
Desegregation became an official national policy with the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v.
Board of Education (1954).
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