How to Use MLA Footnotes and Endnotes

Footnotes and Endnotes in MLA Style: Definition and Purpose

Footnotes in MLA and endnotes in MLA are explanatory notes that provide additional information on sources. MLA 9th edition recommends avoiding lengthy notes. Depending on their goal, footnotes and endnotes fall into one of these 2 buckets: 

1. Bibliographical notes
2. Content notes.

Any sources you reference in your footnotes or endnotes, much like sources in the main text, must be included in your Works Cited list. Arabic superscript numerals are used to signify both footnotes and endnotes. The number is generally placed after any punctuation or a clause in your sentence. Then, numbered notes should be placed either at the bottom of a page or at the end of your whole text. 

Footnotes vs Endnotes: The Main Difference

Now, let’s discuss the difference between footnotes and endnotes in MLA. Footnotes in MLA style format are basically provided at the end of a page where you refer to your source. Meanwhile, endnotes appear at the end of your document but before your Works Cited page. The style used in both types of notes are identical. As you can see, their location in your text is the only difference. 

When to Use Footnote and Endnote Citations in MLA

Researchers use footnote citations MLA or any MLA endnote to provide additional details about the source or your idea. Here’re just several cases when you may need footnotes and endnotes: 

• Reference multiple sources related to a single point.
• Explain peculiarities of documentation.
• Add extra details about your citation.
• Expand upon ideas on your topic.
• Offer examples that don’t blend into the body.
• Specify editions or translated versions of an original source.

Explanatory or digressive remarks are discouraged by the MLA 9th edition. However, MLA style allows you to include endnotes or footnotes for bibliographic notes that allude to other publications your readers may want to check out. 

Using Bibliographic Footnotes and Endnotes in MLA

Bibliographic footnotes and endnotes in MLA are used to help students avoid stuffing their text and get sidetracked. Below, you can find examples of bibliographic notes prepared by a thesis writer and their frequent use cases. 

• Citing multiple sources in one sentence

Please note that all sources should be separated by a semicolon. As a rule, your citation should contain an author’s last name, work’s title and page number(s). 

Example

• Explain peculiar documentation techniques

This can be an unusual font style or formatting. 

Example

• Editions or translations

It is only required to provide an MLA note in case there are more than 1 edition or translation of the cited source. The best practice is to create a note where the work is mentioned first in your text. 

Example

Using Content Notes: MLA footnotes and Endnotes

Now let’s see how to cite with footnotes MLA if you are using content notes. Content notes are usually used to denote some commentary that your main text can’t contain. Here’re examples of several use cases. 

• Expanding on the topic

By using this approach, you can direct readers to the source for more useful details. Besides, this method allows sharing more insights on the topic. 

Example

• Explaining word choice

In this type of notes, you will generally explain why an author has used specific words or figures of speech. 

Example

• Specifying the scope of your study

Content notes can help you clarify the scope of your study so readers know what will be discussed later. 

Example

• Giving more examples

Sometimes, you may have multiple examples that can clutter your main text. Using notes is your best option in this case. This way, your writing will look neat and organized. 

Example

• Signifying an area of future research

Use MLA footnotes or endnotes when you want to pinpoint that some ideas should be explored further. This may sound like a standalone idea that doesn’t blend in your text. That’s why content notes will be the right choice. 

Example 

• Listing authors who appear as et al. in citation

Sometimes you want to mention all important people involved in creating some work. That's exactly when MLA footnotes or endnotes come in handy. 

Example

• Acknowledging someone

Content notes are also used to express attitude to someone who has helped you with your research. 

Example

How to Use Footnotes and Endnotes in MLA: Examples

To categorically answer how to do MLA footnotes, one must review MLA endnotes and footnotes examples. Footnotes should be placed at the bottom of the page in their own section. On the page, keep the same numerical order. Place a superscript number related to your in-text citation at the top of each note.For note references, do not use asterisks (*), angle brackets (>), or other symbols. Endnotes and footnotes should match to the note references in the text. Let’s look at this example. 

MLA Footnotes and Endnotes Format

MLA endnote format and MLA footnote format require superscript and all other details. In MLA style, a number in superscript must be used to indicate a footnote. Put it at the end of a sentence if possible. However, in other situations, having the superscript number in the midst of a phrase will make more sense.

Superscript numbers are usually placed after any punctuation or quotation marks. The only exception is the dash, which should go after your note number. 

In your notes, page numbers should be wrapped by parentheses if page numbers interrupt your idea. Besides, you should use parentheses if page numbers are given at the end of a sentence. 

If you are using MLA endnotes, create a notes section at the end of your text. You can name it “Notes” or “Endnotes.” Don't forget to center-align your title and double-space your text.

MLA Footnotes and Endnotes: Bottom Line

Footnotes and endnotes MLA have many types and use cases. Luckily, we covered most burning questions about notes that you may have had. We hope that this guide has cleared up lots of tricky things for you. Make sure you have carefully read this article to create a neat work with correct notes.