Accessing Bluebook Practice Problems and Guides

With classes beginning this week at the law school, there is one thing on everyone’s mind: the Bluebook! Especially for first year students, the Bluebook can feel labyrinthian and intimidating. Luckily, members of the UNC law community have access to many helpful resources for brushing up on citation writing.

First, here are some helpful training programs that provide practice problems and guidance:

Lexis+ – Interactive Citation Workstation

This extensive program includes lots of practice problems for the Bluebook. It is accessible via your Lexis+ account. 

LexisNexis Digital Library – Interactive Citation Workbook for The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation

This helpful workbook, based on the interactive citation workstation, includes practice exercises as well as chapter-by-chapter explanations.The LexisNexis Digital Library is accessible through the UNC Law Library “Legal Databases” page.

Westlaw – Guided Exercise: Citations

These exercises are available for New York, Texas, and California jurisdictions only, but can still serve as good citation practice. It is accessible via your Westlaw account.

Cali Lessons – Citation Form for Briefs and Legal Memoranda

This lesson focuses specifically on proper citation forms for briefs and legal memoranda rather than law review articles. Contact the reference desk for help setting up your Cali.org account.

Next, here are some general reference guides to the Bluebook:

The Bluebook – Quick Style Guide

This helpful (and free to access) page from the Bluebook’s website gives examples of proper citations for cases, statutes, secondary sources, and more.

Georgetown Law – Bluebook Guide

Georgetown’s Bluebook research guide provides contextual information about the Bluebook, instructions for common citations, and video tutorials.

Hopefully these resources are helpful at taming the Bluebook. And remember, if you ever need help with a tricky citation or research problem, the librarians at the reference desk are here to help!