One of the most noticeable errors is the incorrect layout of notes in general and footnotes in particular. This is due to the fact that poorly laid out footnotes significantly reduce the readability of the text (who likes to look for a footnote on the page for half a minute, losing the thread of the story). The saddest thing is that this applies equally to little-known publishing houses and to very popular ones, and it seems that the rules are deliberately ignored, based on unclear “design” considerations. In this regard, I took the liberty of once again raising this topic and trying to describe in detail the rules for layout of notes of various types.

Notes, explanations, footnotes...

Notes- this is a form of clarification of individual words, phrases, paragraphs or supplementing them with supporting information. There are four types of notes: 1) explanations, placed in parentheses; 2) footnotes(footnotes), break-down bars; 3) intratextual, placed directly below the paragraph of text to which they relate; 4) behind-the-text, placed at the end of the book after the main text.

Explanations are typed as regular text, that is, in the same font size and typeface, but are enclosed in parentheses immediately after the text to which they relate. It should be noted that immediately after the explanation, which necessarily begins with a lowercase letter and ends with a period, a dash is placed, and then its author is indicated with a capital letter and italics.

An exception to this rule is made if the text requires some, I would call it missing, clarification. For example: He [Peter] has gone far ahead. Such an explanation, in the vast majority of cases, occurs when quoting.

Footnotes(footnotes) are additions or explanations to the main or additional texts, placed at the bottom of the page (or column) if the text to which they relate has a callout sign (asterisks or numbers). It is very rare that footnotes are allowed to be located in a single block for the right and left pages on the right page. But this is done only for a single-column typesetting and in cases where it is simply impossible to place a footnote in any other way, or for the purpose of economy.

We work correctly

With a multi-column set, only three options are allowed:

1. Columnar arrangement.
2. Location in the right column of the strip.
3. Layout for the entire strip format.

Footnotes are always typed in the same typeface as the text, but, as a rule, with a reduced point size. So, when typing the main text in 10 point font, all footnotes, as well as additional texts, are usually typed in 9 point font, however, in publications where the main text is typed in 8 point font, footnotes can often be typed in the same point size. In other words:

• if the main text is typed in a font of 10 points or more, then the footnote text is made 1-2 point sizes smaller;
• If the main text is typed in a font size of 9 points or less, then the footnote text is either equal in size to the main text or one point smaller (however, it cannot be less than 7 points).

The footnote sign is placed with a small space (a thin space or, more correctly, a two-point space), immediately after the word to which it refers, and is formatted as a superscript. If there are punctuation marks after the word to which the footnote is placed, then you should remember the following:

1. The footnote mark is placed before signs: period (except for the case described in paragraph 3), comma, semicolon, colon, dash and closing quotation mark (except for the case described in paragraph 4).
2. The footnote mark is placed after following characters: ellipsis, question mark and exclamation marks, closing parenthesis (except for the case described in paragraph 4).
3. If the dot sign acts as a sign reductions(for example, 1900, etc.), then the footnote sign is placed after the period. But if a comma is also placed after the abbreviation, it is better not to make a footnote in this place.
4. If a note refers to the entire text enclosed in parentheses or quotation marks, a footnote is indicated. after closing bracket or closing quotation marks, respectively.

The footnote symbol can be almost any character, even letters and parentheses, but it is advisable to use asterisks (if there are no more than three footnotes on the page) or numbers.

Each footnote begins with a paragraph indentation equal to the paragraph indentation in the main text. If there are several footnotes with asterisks on one page, it is advisable to align them on the right side, i.e. counting each asterisk as a digit in numbers.

Currently, the more common way of designing footnotes is with a reverse paragraph indentation (naturally, taking into account the bit depth), which allows the reader to simplify their search.

In some publications, with a large number of footnotes on a page, to reduce their volume, a selection of footnotes was used (in this case, a dot should be placed at the end of each footnote and separated from the next one with a dash). This technique should be avoided, since this design causes great difficulties for the reader in finding a particular footnote.

If a footnote is too large or there are several footnotes on a strip, the last of which cannot be completely placed on a given strip, it is allowed to move it to the next strip, repeating the padding, ruler and continuing the transferred footnote. In this case, on the previous strip (on which the callout sign remains) there must be at least three lines of a hyphenated footnote, and on the subsequent strip a hyphenated footnote cannot begin with a paragraph or end line. If on the strip where part of the footnote has been moved there are also others, then they are added to the one transferred without any space with their own numbering.

Footnotes on end strips are not recommended. If they do exist, then it is recommended to cover them directly below the text with the usual spaces and a ruler, if the end strip occupies less than half of the strip, or in the usual way, i.e. at the bottom, in other cases. Typically, footnotes are separated from the main text with a thin ruler 1 square meter long. (approximately 18 mm) or the full format of the typesetting line, wrapped to the left edge with a text margin equal to or slightly larger than the footnote text margin.

Notes

In-text notes usually used in official publications - instructions, charters, etc. They are placed directly after the text to which they relate, after the word “Note”. It is also possible to format them as footnotes, that is, using callout signs such as asterisks or serial numbers instead of the word “Note,” while marking the paragraphs to which they relate in the same way. When using this technique, it is advisable to additionally mark out the notes with rulers and make them a size smaller than the main text. In-text notes are usually typed in the same typeface and style as the main text. If notes are typed in the same size as the main font, then use a retract, and it should be larger than the paragraph indentation so that the left edge of the note does not merge with the paragraph line of the subsequent text. Notes typed in a font size smaller than the font size of the main text are not highlighted, but separated from the main text to maintain the consistency of the layout. The word “Note” is usually highlighted either directly in bold(which is less common and only when typing in lower font size), or in italics. If there are several notes, then two layout methods are used: either using the word “Note” once, or repeating it before each time. In both cases, it is necessary to put their serial numbers.

Beyond-text notes are usually footnotes to the main text of the publication placed at the end of the book (as a rule, callout signs in the text are sequentially numbered). Placing a note at the end of the book is usually due to either a large volume of text for which there is not enough space at the end of the page, or a large number of notes, or their clearly secondary, clarifying nature.

Behind-the-text notes and comments are always typed in a reduced size font (but not less than 7 points); Each note is typed on a new line from a paragraph, taking into account the alignment of footnote marks within the strip. Most often, such notes repeat the word to which the note refers. The word is italicized or bold and is usually separated from the text of the note by a dot and a dash. In some publications, extra-textual notes and comments are divided into parts, sections or chapters of the publication with their own numbering. If the texts of the notes are short, it is allowed to type them in two columns. Post-text notes and comments are completed after the afterword or final article, and in their absence - after the main text, always from an odd-numbered strip with a descent. Before the textual notes, an internal title (shmuttitul) with the heading “Notes” is usually placed.

As you can see, these rules are not at all complicated, and following them will significantly increase the readability of your publications and avoid accusations of unprofessionalism.

P.S. This article does not cover another type of notes - side notes, when the note is placed on the left page of the spread (the text itself is printed on the right), since this type of note is extremely rare.

About the author: Vladimir Afanasyev ([email protected]) - leader of the PageMaker Notes project (www.spiker.ru).

Making footnotes

Let's look at the process of arranging footnotes using PageMaker as an example, which, unfortunately, does not provide a mechanism for conveniently making them, so everything will have to be done manually. First we create two styles. Why two? For comfort. Both are based on the style of the body text, but in smaller font sizes and without paragraph indentation. The only difference is that in the first one we also make a ruler above the paragraph with a length of 18 mm (1 sq.) or in full line format (depending on the type of footnote design). This is done so that only the first footnote on the page is drawn in the first style, and all subsequent ones in the second. Agree that this approach is convenient.

The placement of links during typing for the convenience of their search and layout depends on what we are laying out: a newspaper/magazine or a book.

In the first case, it may be more convenient for all footnotes to be at the end of the text. This is explained by the fact that the texts are not too large and, therefore, footnotes are always “at hand”.

And in the second, you can do this: in the text immediately after the footnote sign, certain signs (for example, ##) are placed in angle brackets, and after them the actual text of the footnote. What considerations guide us?

1. The first layout always determines the size of the publication, and it can subsequently be adjusted.
2. The proofreader will definitely mark the strange signs, and we will find out where the footnotes went.
3. Moving (unfortunately, manually) a footnote down the bar practically does not lead to any significant changes to the text blocks.

Or a drawing that requires explanation. Depart from the text or graphic material by 1.5-2 intervals. Make a standard paragraph and write a capital “Note.” After it, put a dash and place a clarification to the main text. Do not put the note in bold or italics or underline it.

A single note is not assigned a serial number. If there are several notes, arrange them in a numbered list. As with a single note, indent the main text. From the red line, write the word “Notes” with a capital letter. Don't make a point. Start each note on a new line after the Arabic numeral.

For example: “Having examined the graph of the average daily temperature in Moscow and the Moscow region at the end of January, scientists came to the following conclusion. Notes 1. This graph reflects changes in average daily temperature observed in rural areas. 2. The graph is valid provided that standard instruments for measuring humidity and atmospheric pressure are used.”

Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page on which fragments requiring clarification are located (, graph, drawing). Footnotes are linked to the main text with a footnote sign - an asterisk or Arabic numeral. If there are no more than three notes on a page, you can designate them *, ** and *** respectively. However, it is more descriptive to use Arabic numerals written at the top of the line.

Place a footnote in the text. At the bottom of the page, not reaching the border of the bottom margin about 4-5 lines, draw a short straight line from the left margin 4-5 cm long. Place notes under the line. Start each one with the “red line”. Before the beginning of the sentence, put the appropriate footnote sign - an asterisk or the serial number of the note. The word "notes" in in this case not written.

For example: “Having examined the graph of the average daily temperature in Moscow and the Moscow region* at the end of January**, scientists came to the conclusion that_______________ *This graph reflects changes in the average daily temperature observed in rural areas. **The graph is valid provided that standard humidity and atmospheric pressure meters are used.”

Write footnotes in a smaller font so that they are visually distinguished from the main text. Don't make your sentences too long or overload them with facts and figures. Place a period at the end of each note.

Beyond-text notes are often used in fiction. Their peculiarity lies in their location. They are printed after the main text, at the end of a chapter, section, or at the end of the entire book. Beyond-text notes are easier to group together. They do not violate the integrity of the work.

Place a footnote in the text. For out-of-text notes, never use an asterisk, only Arabic numerals. The numbering of notes can be continuous for the entire text or for each chapter. In the first case, arrange the notes section in the form of a single numbered list. If the numbering starts from the beginning in each chapter, divide the list of explanations into parts. Title each part by the title of the chapter to which the notes relate. Place a numbered list inside the part.

For example: “Notes for Chapter 12, “Measurements of Average Daily Temperature.”1. This graph reflects changes in average daily temperature observed in rural areas. 2. The graph is valid provided that standard instruments for measuring humidity and atmospheric pressure are used.”

4.6.1.Note– addition to the main text: clarification, clarification, translation of a foreign word, link, etc. – a brief explanation of the main text.

4.6.2. A note is given if explanations or reference data are needed for the content of text, tables or graphic material. Notes are intended for a deeper understanding of the text so that the text does not remain incomprehensible to the reader or is not misunderstood or partially understood. Another task of notes is to avoid cluttering the text and disrupting the harmony of its composition. You should not explain in a note what the author explains in the subsequent main text.

4.6.3. Types of notes by location. Notes can be placed:

among the lines of the main text - immediately after the text to which they relate ( intratextual notes);

inside the page - they are separated from the main text by a line on the left ( interlinear notes);

after the entire main text of the work or a large part of it ( behind-the-text notes);

4.6.4. Types of content notes. They differ:

semantic explanations of the main text or additions to it;

translation of foreign words, phrases, sentences;

definitions of terms or explanations of the meanings of individual (usually rare) words that may not be clear to the reader;

information about persons, events, works mentioned or implied in the text;

4.6.5. Types of in-text notes by form. They differ:

Explanations carried out immediately of the explained word or expression in one line with it:

in parentheses;

in square brackets;

translations of foreign words and expressions;

Rubricated notes placed on a new line immediately after the explained text, graphic material or table to which these notes relate and having a title in the form of a word Note or Notes.

4.6.6. Notes are printed with a paragraph indentation, with a capital letter, in the nominative case. If there is only one note, then after the word Note A dash is added and the text of the note is also printed in capital letters. One note is not numbered. Several notes are numbered in order using Arabic numerals. A note to the table is placed at the end of the table.

4.6.7.Footnote– additional text placed at the bottom of the page separately from the main text. In OST 29.130-97, a footnote is defined as an element of a publication containing auxiliary text of an explanatory or reference nature (bibliographical references, notes, cross-references), placed at the bottom of the page and equipped with a footnote sign - a corresponding digital number or an asterisk - to connect with the text. Footnotes are separated from the text by a short, thin horizontal line on the left side.

4.6.8. Footnote font size should be 2 pt smaller. explanatory text. Line spacing in footnotes should also be less than in the main text. In computer typing, this condition is fulfilled automatically.

4.6.9. The footnote mark is placed before punctuation marks such as period, comma, semicolon, colon, dash and after ellipses, question marks and exclamation marks.