Introduction
Every time we read a book, we see numbers printed above words or at the end of sentences as superscripts. Have you ever wondered what they represent? The subscripts refer to the footnotes or endnotes. Footnotes are generally at the end of the page, and endnotes are at the end of the book or document. We see synonyms, definitions, abbreviations or history related to it at the end of the page or the book. The location of these notes is the main difference, but what are the other differences between footnotes and endnotes and how to add them? Let’s find out from this article!
Footnotes vs endnotes
The footnote is a note that appears at the bottom of the page and is used to identify citation sources and references and offer more information about the specific passage of text above it.
A footnote Is indicated by a superscripted number or symbol immediately after a word or phrase whose cross-reference is provided at the bottom of the same page. It can be found in publications like books, essays, reports, and research papers. In writing, there are two common forms of footnotes. A footnote for content and one for copyright authorization.
An endnote Is a note that appears at the end of a book, document, or chapter and contains sources for information as well as further details on points made in the text.
Endnotes are used to include the names of sources cited in the text, with their authors and dates of publication, in chronological order. These are represented by numerals or symbols like an asterisk (*). Books, research papers, articles, essays, etc. contain these.
Difference between footnotes and endnotes in tabular form
| Footnote | Endnote | |
| Location | At the bottom of the page. | At the end of a chapter, book or a document. |
| Function | To provide new information, or site a source related to the text above. | To provide new information and site sources related to book or chapter. |
| Numbering | Numbered sequentially through out a chapter | Numbered consecutively through a chapter or a book |
| Marking | Marked by superscript number or a letter | Marked by superscript number or a letter |
| Space on each page | Limits the amount of text displayed on page as footnotes takes space | Does not take space on each page as it appears at the end of document. |
| Advantage | Useful for readers who want to check the reference immediately | Ueful for readers who don’t want to get distracted from the main text. |
| Preference | Used in humanities and social sciences | Used in technical writings and research papers |
| Content | Commentary and personal insight | Source citations, references |
| Used in | Used in books and novels | Ued in theses and dissertations |
What is a footnote?
Footnotes are Small notes at the bottom of a page that offers further details or cite the source of a section in the content. An asterisk (*) or number (1) superscript icon that matches the corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page to indicate a footnote within the text.
A superscript Arabic numeral Is used in footnotes to indicate the inclusion of additional information and to improve the flow of a piece of text.
Sharing more information, offering personal commentary, and showing source citations on a section in the text are the two functions of footnotes in a text.
Footnotes also display legal disclaimers or copyright information, especially in commercials.
All footnotes in a research paper are numbered sequentially, except those attached to the content (such as figures, tables, charts, etc.). The footnotes are in superscript Arabic numeral, typed above the line of text. Do not use parentheses, periods, or slashes. Dashes are the only punctuation that they can follow.
The footnote and the same signal are written at the bottom of the page.
If there are few or inconsistent footnotes, these are typically indicated by an asterisk (*) or, less frequently, a dagger.
However, sequential numerals are preferred if footnotes are often used, as they are in academic writing. Some authors will start each chapter by resetting the numbering to one if they feel the number of footnotes is excessive.
When more information is needed to be added or give a summary, a content footnote is used to offer it. Long quotations, tables or graphs, and other lengthy information within a text are recognised with a copyright permission footnote. Both types of footnotes are printed at the bottom of the page, and a letter or a number denotes the footnote. At the bottom of the page, the same number or letter will appear next to the footnote.
Footnote styles
APA style
Footnotes are used in APA style to cite copyrighted material or to add extra information that is not immediately relevant to the text. In general, the APA advises using footnotes sparingly. When a footnote is necessary, the text should be brief, superscripted, and listed at the bottom of the page.
In-text citations
It is extra information about a specific subject.
Copyright acknowledgements
A footnote indicates the copyright status of any lengthy quotation or other copyrighted content, like a stock photo, used in writing.
The following information is included in the APA footnotes:
- An attributive tag
- The name of the work, its author, and the year it was published are all mentioned in the text.
The Chicago style
The Chicago style makes the maximum use of footnotes. The notes-bibliography system and the author-date system are the two source citation methods used in the Chicago style. For subjects in the humanities, such as history and literature, the notes-bibliography approach is preferred since the author can select between footnotes and endnotes.
Short form
Only the most essential details are provided in the footnote if there is a complete bibliography.
Long-form
The initial mention of a source must include a complete citation if there is no full bibliography.
The characteristics of these footnotes are listed below:
- Footnotes should be spaced apart and indented.
- Normal-sized numbers should be used for the numbering
MLA style
Parenthetical in-text citations are preferred to footnotes in the MLA style. Similar to the APA format, there are instances when the cited page is insufficient, and additional information must be included in endnotes or footnotes.
Advantages of footnotes
- Easily spotted. Footnotes are at the bottom of the page.
- It directs readers to the reference or the concept connected to the particular text.
- When printing particular pages, footnotes are automatically added.
- Quickly locates the note at the far end of the document connecting the footnote to the text’s subject.
- Readers can easily scan the page’s bottom to find further details or cite a source.
Disadvantages of footnotes
- If there are too many footnotes on a page, it may become messy and hard to read.
- If you include a lot of information in one footnote, it could dominate the page and draw readers’ attention away from the main idea.
- Short footnotes will be lost if there are several columns, charts, or tables that need to be moved.
Examples
Research paper
It is well known that patients who suffer from Crohn’s and Colitis can have many debilitating symptoms.¹
Footnote
¹See the CCFA.org website for more information about the symptoms that Crohn’s and Colitis patients may experience.
How to cite footnotes
Citations give credit to the authors and publishers of information and ideas. Citations tell readers where to look up information that is used as a source, whether it takes the shape of a quote, a figure, or a broad concept.
Some formatting guidelines and publishing companies omit in-text citations in favour of footnote citations. For our purposes, we’ll concentrate on how to cite footnotes though the choice for a specific citation style depends on several publication rules.
The Chicago style is used for citations the most frequently among the three footnote styles.
What are endnotes?
Endnotes are a means to add additional information or commentary to a written piece, such as a book or essay. These are found at the end of a section, chapter, or entire book and are denoted in the main text by a superscript number.
Endnotes are frequently used in academic writing but can also be found in other genres of literature like memoirs and biographies.
In contrast to footnotes which are at the bottom of the page, endnotes are at the end of the book.
How to create endnotes?
Endnotes are formatted in a separate section following any bibliographies at the end of the document. Every endnote has a unique number that matches the superscript number in the main text. The endnote often consists of a single sentence or paragraph that offers supplementary data or commentary. Endnotes may occasionally also make mention of other texts or sources.
There are many uses for endnotes. A reason is to provide extra details that are not necessary to the main content but might be of interest to some readers. This could include background information on historical events, biographical information, or definitions of complex phrases or ideas.
Tips for writing endnotes
- Every endnote has a number that matches the superscript number in the main text. The endnote often consists of a single sentence or paragraph that offers supplementary data or commentary. Endnotes may occasionally also make mention of other texts or sources.
- Endnotes should be used consistently throughout the entire piece of writing. Making sure that the endnotes are numbered correctly and consecutively is also crucial.
- In addition to word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, endnotes can also be created with other types of software. Authors should adhere to such formatting standards to ensure their work is published appropriately in the many academic journals and publishers.
- Endnotes are used to add details and criticism, but they should not be overused. Readers may become distracted by too many endnotes, which can also make it challenging to follow the main text. Endnotes should only contain the necessary information.
- The formatting of the superscript numbers in the main text is also crucial. The numerals should be small and elevated just a bit above the line of text. They must be placed outside of any other punctuation, including commas and periods.
- In situations where there are a lot of notes, endnotes may be preferred since they maintain the main text simple and let the reader concentrate on the text. Endnotes can also be helpful because they give the note more room than footnotes do, especially when the supplementary information or opinion is lengthy.
Endnotes are a useful tool for adding details, discussion, and references to a written work. They are often used in academic writing, although they are also present in other kinds of works. To ensure that the work is understandable and simple to read, endnotes should be used consistently and formatted properly.
Main differences between footnote and endnote in points
- A footnote referred to in the main text appears at the bottom of the same page. Contrarily, endnotes are notes that are included at the end of a chapter, section, or the entire book.
- A superscript number or symbol that corresponds to the footnote at the bottom of the page is used to denote footnotes in the main text. Endnotes are denoted in the main text by a superscript number that corresponds to the endnote after the work.
- In academic writing, footnotes are frequently used to provide sources as well as to add commentary or clarification.
- In academic writing, endnotes are frequently used to add details or remarks that are not necessary for understanding the main text.
- The benefit of using footnotes is that they give the information or comments being offered an instant context because they are included on the same page as the main text. On the other hand, endnotes require the reader to turn to the end of the document to view the note, which can be annoying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice regarding endnotes or footnotes depends on both the author’s preferences and the particular requirements of the work. Endnotes allow for longer notes and keep the main text uncluttered, whereas footnotes give the reader rapid context. Both approaches are useful tools for adding details and criticism to literary works.
