FOOTNOTES
Because long explanatory notes can be distracting to readers, most academic style guidelines (including MLA and APA) recommend limited use of footnotes; however, certain publishers and instructors encourage or require note references in lieu of parenthetical references (see the MLA Handbook, Appendix B, and the MLA Style Manual, Appendix A, for other systems of MLA citation).
In this style, each page of the paper has its own set of notes at the bottom of the page. Some readers prefer the style because they can see complete citation without turning to the end of the paper where they would have to search through an alphabetical listing.
Computer/Word Processor Hint
Some software programs will automatically place footnotes on the appropriate text pages.
NUMBERING FOOTNOTES IN THE TEXT
a. Raised numbers called “superscript” numbers, appear in the text and correspond to numbered notes at the bottom of each page. Most word processing packages include superscript and subscript as part of the format of font menus. Check the Help menu.
b. The raised number is placed at the end of paraphrase or quotation without a space between the final letter or punctuation mark and the number.
Example
Some have argued that such an investigation would be fruitless.6
c. The corresponding notes at the foot of the page, numbered consecutively through the paper, give the source in formation. The same information also appears on the Works Cited page.
