Footnote is a note in smaller type at the bottom of a page. When such notes are printed at the end of a chapter or book, they are known as endnotes. Authors can use notes to cite (refer to) the sources or authority for what the author says. Notes may give information or make comments that are not suitable for including in the text. Notes can also refer a reader to other opinions, or send a reader to other pages or sections of a work.
A number in small type is commonly used to draw attention to a footnote or an endnote. The numbers should run consecutively. An asterisk, dagger, or double dagger may be used instead of a number.
There are several ways to write footnotes and endnotes that cite sources. Be sure to ask you teacher or librarian how footnotes and endnotes should be written at your school. One of the most common citation styles is the MLA style, published by the Modern Language Association. For information on that style, see Writing skills (Preparing citations).
