To Italicize or Not to Italicize: A Courtroom Conundrum
So, you’re writing a paper, and you’re staring at a blinking cursor, pondering the age-old question: Do I italicize this court case? If you’re using the Chicago Manual of Style, the answer might surprise you. It’s like a legal thriller with a twist ending.
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| Do You Italicize Court Cases In Chicago |
The Case of the Missing Italics
Let’s break it down. When you first introduce a court case, it’s like meeting someone new – you use their full name, no fancy formatting. So, Brown v. Board of Education gets a plain text treatment. But once you’ve done the introductions, and everyone knows who you’re talking about, you can switch to the abbreviated, italicized version – Brown. It’s like shortening a friend’s name from "Elizabeth" to "Liz."
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
The Fine Print
Now, there’s a catch. If you’re not sure everyone knows the case, or if you want to be extra clear, you can include the court and year in parentheses. For example: Brown v. Board of Education (1954). It's like adding a last name to avoid confusion.
Reminder: Short breaks can improve focus.
When to Panic (Not Really)
Don’t stress if you accidentally italicize the full case name. It’s not a legal offense, just a style faux pas. But if you’re aiming for perfection, remember: full name = no italics, abbreviated name = italics.
Tip: Take your time with each sentence.
FAQs: The Italicization Edition
How to know when to abbreviate a court case? Once you’ve mentioned the full case name once, you can usually abbreviate it in subsequent mentions.
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
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How to format the court and year in parentheses? Place the court and year in parentheses after the case name, like this: Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
How to handle multiple cases with the same parties? Use different abbreviations to distinguish between cases, like Brown I and Brown II.
How to italicize foreign case names? Generally, follow the conventions of the language the case is in. If you're unsure, consult a style guide.
How to handle cases with multiple plaintiffs or defendants? You can usually abbreviate the case to the first party and "et al." (meaning "and others"). For example, Brown et al. v. Board of Education.
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