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Q: There are two notes given as examples. However, they both link to the same note written by student 343. Can the other example be provided?
A: Yes, thank you for pointing this out! We will work to get the other example uploaded as soon as possible.
Q: When something is out of place, such as punctuation or formatting, can we cite to an example in the Bluebook that has the right format even if there is not an explicit rule on it?
A: Every correction made needs a Bluebook citation.
Q: Does every table citation need a corresponding bluebook citation? Or can we just cite to the tables if we think it’s the most relevant?
A: Every correction should include a Bluebook rule. If a table citation is appropriate, then you should also provide a Bluebook rule directing you to that table. You should cite both the Bluebook rule and the table (for example, BB 1 / T1).
Q: If the same information is found multiple times in separate rules, can we cite to both rules if we think they are equally good/important?
A: If you think that the same information is found in separate rules, then you should cite the one that is the most specific or relevant to your citation.
Q: When the same Bluebook rule applies to different parts of the same citation, does this count as two different errors? Is it okay to list the rule twice in our explanation?
A: For every correction you make to a citation you should include a Bluebook rule. If the errors you have identified are wrong for different reasons (even if both reasons are found in the same Bluebook rule) then they count as two different errors and you need to provide a Bluebook rule for each correction (see the first example in the Bluebook exam for an illustration of two errors being wrong for the same reason and, thus, being counted as only one error).
Q: If information that is typically required in a citation is omitted from the citation on the exam, do we also omit that information from the answer?
A: The sources in the Bluebook exam are fictious. Because you are not able to look them up, all the information you need can be found in the citation. Please do not make anything up. You are not expected to cite information you have not been given.
Q: The Bluebook Exam instructions say that we can assume all elements in each footnote accurately reflect the source. Does that mean we can assume that the reporters are also accurate? If we can’t, would we just change the reporter while leaving the rest of the surrounding information the same?
A: All the information in the Bluebook exam is accurate. However, the information can be accurate and incorrectly cited at the same time. In the second Bluebook example you are expected to assume that the volume and page numbers as well as the name of the periodical are all correct. However, the name is incorrectly cited. You are not supposed to change any numbers or names, but, as illustrated, you are expected to make changes to ensure that the numbers and names given to you have been correctly cited. This applies to everything, including reporters.
Q: If corrections are needed in a citation that have already been corrected earlier, are they supposed to be repeated?
A: Every error in a citation needs to be corrected. While the same type of error will be counted as one error if it is found multiple times in the same citation (see example one), this is not the case for different citations. So, if example one was in the exam and another citation had the case name appear in italics this would be considered a new error and you would need to correct it again providing the applicable Bluebook rule.
Q: The Bluebook Exam instructions mention that we should assume the footnotes appear sequentially in a law review article. Should we also assume that they are the first ten footnotes of that article?
A: Yes. Citation 1 of the Bluebook exam would be footnote 1 of the law review article.
Q: Should we replace the original citations with the corrections then post the rules under it? Or should we leave the original citation, make a fully corrected citation, then leave the rules under it? ie how should the answers be structured?
A: The Bluebook exam instructions provide a list of everything that needs to be included in your answer. I would suggest structuring your answers as follows:
Incorrect citation as it appears in the exam
Errors
- Error and applicable bluebook rule
- Error and applicable bluebook rule
.
.
.
Fully corrected citation
This is merely a suggestion. All answers that include the information that is required will be correct regardless of how they are structured.
Q: Do you only get one submission of the blue book exam? Will you take the most recent submission?
A: You can submit the blue book exam as many times as you wish. The most recent submission (that was submitted before the deadline) will be graded.
Q: If the language of the bluebook says we “may” do something does that mean we have to or can we decide not to?
A: For the purposes of this exam, if the Bluebook says you “may” do something and you can do it, then you should do it.
Q: Should we assume that all the sources included on the Bluebook exam are the only sources used in the article?
A: No.
Q: Would you prefer that the Bluebook exam submission be in the same document as the instructions in which we received it? Or would you rather our Bluebook exam submission be in a separate document with the incorrect citations copied into it?
A: Both are fine. Even if you include the instructions, I would advise that your answers start with the incorrect citation.
Q: What do we do for errors in items that aren’t supposed to be there in the first place, should we give a correction but then omit them from the corrected citation? Also, how would they be counted?
A: Use your best judgement. Errors are counted based on what you change in the citation. If one element is removed then this will be counted as one change and, consequently, one correction.
Q: On Citation 2, you all have the citation as “See id. at 253,” but in Citation 1 the cases begin on page 862 and 741. Based on this, there is no prior citation for Citation 2 to refer to. How should we navigate this?
A: Apologies, this is a typo. It does not affect the citation in any way so just ignore that the pages do not match up.
Q: If we find a couple over 63 errors, is it okay to note those or will points be deducted?
A: You might be counting the errors differently. As long as your changes are correct, points will not be deducted. However, points will be deducted if you incorrectly edit the citation. If you are confident that there is an error that must be fixed and you have identified the relevant Bluebook rule, then include that in your answer.
Q: Can we cite to the graphics at the beginning of a rule if we think the information provided at the outset is applicable?
A: As per the instructions, you should be as specific as possible with rule identifications (e.g., BB 10.7.1(c)(ii), not BB 10.7.1). However, if you are certain that the information you are using to fix the citation can only be found in the introductory part of a rule, then cite that (e.g., BB 10).
Q: The Bluebook Exam instructions state that all elements in the footnotes accurately reflect the source, and a prior question clarified that this includes reporters. However, if the reporter and the court listed in a citation are inconsistent, should we assume the reporter is correct and adjust the court to match, or should we correct the reporter to match the court?
A: Good job to everyone who noticed this. These inconsistencies allow us to test more rules within a limited number of footnotes. Apologies for the confusion. You should just correct (if needed) how the reporters and courts are cited and ignore the fact that they do not match.
Q: I accidentally submitted my bluebook exam with the wrong anonymous number. I have resubmitted with the correct anonymous number now.
A: This should not be an issue, but I cannot find two identical submissions under different anonymous numbers. To ensure that you have submitted your answer under the correct number and that we know which submission was made in error please contact the Law School IT Office and Caroline Woodward, ALR Student Note Editor, who have been helping to ensure that your questions are resolved without breaking anonymity. Their email addresses are caroline.woodward@law.ua.edu and help@law.ua.edu. Please remember that IT assistance is only available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.