How do you balance the length and content of your footnotes and endnotes?

1 Check the style guide

Different disciplines, journals, and publishers may have different preferences and rules for using footnotes and endnotes. Before you start writing or editing your notes, check the style guide of your field or target audience. Some common style guides are APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. The style guide will tell you how to format, number, and cite your notes, as well as what kind of information to include or exclude.

2 Choose the type of note

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page where the note is referenced, while endnotes appear at the end of the document or chapter. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Footnotes are easier to access and read, but they can clutter the page and interrupt the flow of the text. Endnotes are less intrusive and more organized, but they can be inconvenient and disconnected from the text. Depending on your purpose and audience, you may choose one or the other, or a combination of both. For example, you may use footnotes for explanatory comments and endnotes for bibliographic references.

3 Keep them concise and relevant

One of the main challenges of using footnotes and endnotes is to keep them concise and relevant. A good rule of thumb is to limit your notes to one or two sentences, and to avoid repeating information that is already in the text or in other notes. You should also avoid including unnecessary or trivial details, opinions, or digressions that do not add value to your argument or analysis. If you have a lot of information that is important but not essential, you may consider moving it to an appendix or a separate document.

4 Use them sparingly and consistently

Another challenge of using footnotes and endnotes is to use them sparingly and consistently. Too many notes can distract the reader and dilute the main message of your text. Too few notes can leave the reader wondering about the sources, evidence, or context of your claims. You should use notes only when they are necessary and appropriate, and not as a way to avoid integrating or synthesizing your research. You should also use notes consistently throughout your text, following the same style, format, and numbering system.

5 Review and revise them

Finally, you should review and revise your footnotes and endnotes as part of your proofreading and editing process. You should check for accuracy, clarity, and completeness of your notes, as well as for any errors, inconsistencies, or gaps. You should also check for coherence, flow, and balance of your notes, as well as for any redundancies, contradictions, or ambiguities. You may need to add, delete, modify, or relocate some of your notes to improve their quality and effectiveness.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?