Referencing Footnote style

In-text referencing
There are many variations of the footnoting system. Always follow information given to you by your
lecturer. Here are some guidelines:
The easiest way to format your footnotes is to use the Microsoft Word referencing tool. (Insert>
reference> footnote). If you are not using this application use a superscript1. Then type the
corresponding number at the bottom of the page, citing all the bibliographic information.
The first time a source is cited include the author's full name, the title of the work and publication
details (see examples below). Subsequent references to the same work can usually be in a shortened
form (but check with your lecturer first about suitable abbreviations).
Include page numbers at the end of the footnote only when quoting, not when you paraphrase.

Example
In the text
Advertisers are very good at putting the hype into hyperbole, unfortunately often resulting in a sceptical
audience.1 Geddes argues that in order to create advertising impact, there needs to be a continually fresh
approach 2, and although others point to the impossibility of this 3, a recent study showed that audiences
subjected to bland advertising had difficulty in remembering the product.4

The footnotes
1.
2.
3.
4.

Jeffrey McQuain, Power language, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1996, p.53.
Miranda Geddes, The advertisers toolbag, Hudson, Perth, 2003.
Peter Henders, Design issues, Chesley Publishing, London, 2001, ; June Sapforth, 1999, The importance of design,
Howarth Press, New York.
Geddes, loc. cit.

The Latin abbreviation loc. cit. has been used to indicate that the source has already been mentioned.
Abbreviation:

Use:

Example:

ibid.
(in the same place)

To indicate the same source as in the

footnote immediately above. If referring
to a different page number write ibid
p.35.

1.

loc.cit.
(in the place already quoted)

To indicate a source and page number

already cited, but one not immediately
above.

2.
3.
1.
2.
3.

op.cit.
(in the work cited)

To indicate a different page number of a

source already cited, but one not immediately above.

1.
2.
3.

Learning Links
Quick Tips/footnotes

Jane Clayden, Design notes, Tegdale Press,

London, 2000, p.281.
ibid
ibid, p.39.
Jane Clayden, Design notes, Tegdale Press,
London, 2000, p.281.
Andrea Jones, A history of art, Blum Press, New
York, 1999, p. 38.
Clayden, loc.cit.
Jane Clayden, Design notes, Tegdale Press,
London, 2000, p.281.
George Thompson, Modern design, Noble
Press, New York, 1999, p. 38.
Clayden, op.cit., p. 270.

www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre/
February 2007

Examples of footnotes
Book one author
Dunstan, Ewen, Sources of ideas, Sun Press, Boston, 2004, p. 71-78.
Book multiple authors
Raphael, Gerald, Brown Colin and Stewart, Ann, Design ideas Harris, New York, 1998.
Chapter in a book by another author
Jane, Thompson, Womens art. Chap. in Art in the 1990s, eds. Privet, James, and Martin, Peter,
Maundie Press, New York, 2003.
Article in Journal
Gerald, King, Design speaks, Signs and symbols, vol. 5, no.1, 1998, p. 25-30.
Published conference proceedings
Erin, Carter, and Packer, K, eds, Selected Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Conference on Art
Studies, University of Westland, Westland, 1999, p. 139-150.
Internet citation
Iris, Heetman, Early design development, Waters Research Centre, 2004,
http://www.wester.com, Viewed 15 June, 2004.

Examples of Reference List items

Book one author
Dunstan Eric, 2004, Sources creativity, Styles Press, Sydney.
Book multiple authors
Raphael, Georgina, Beaton, Carol and Homes, Stuart, 2003, Art studies, Hartnell, New York.
Chapter in a book by another author
Thompson, Brenda, Womens work. Chap. in Women and art , eds. Pinder D.L, and Martin, E, 1997,
Mainstream Press, New York.
Article in Journal
King, Gerry, 1998, Design matters, Design Quarterly, vol. 5, no.1.
Published conference proceedings
Carter, Eric, and Packer, Terry, eds, 1997, Selected Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Conference on Art Studies, University of
Westland, Westland.
Internet citation
Harvey, Thomas, 1995, Early fabrics, Somer Research Centre, 2004, http://www.somer.com,
Viewed 15 June.

Learning Links
Quick Tips/footnotes

www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre/
February 2007