MOS:REFPUNCT

MOS:REFPUNCT

The guideline "MOS:REFPUNCT" is a section of the Wikipedia:Manual of Style that provides instructions on the placement of reference punctuation in Wikipedia articles. This guideline is crucial for maintaining consistency and clarity in the presentation of citations and references across Wikipedia articles.

1. 1. Overview

The primary purpose of MOS:REFPUNCT is to ensure that references are placed in a manner that is both logical and aesthetically pleasing. This involves the correct placement of footnotes and citations in relation to punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and quotation marks.

1. 1. General Rules

1. Placement of References: References should be placed immediately after the punctuation mark that concludes the sentence or clause to which the reference applies. This typically means placing the reference after a period, comma, or quotation mark.

2. Footnotes and Endnotes: When using footnotes or endnotes, the superscript number or symbol should follow the punctuation mark without any intervening space.

3. Quotation Marks: When a reference applies to a quoted passage, the reference should be placed after the closing quotation mark and any following punctuation.

4. Multiple References: If multiple references are used to support a single point, they should be placed together, separated by commas, and enclosed within the same set of brackets.

1. 1. Examples

- Correct: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." - Incorrect: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

- Correct: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," said the narrator. - Incorrect: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," said the narrator.

1. 1. Exceptions

There are some exceptions to these general rules, particularly when dealing with complex sentence structures or when adhering to specific citation styles required by certain academic disciplines. In such cases, editors are encouraged to use their best judgment to maintain clarity and readability.

1. 1. Importance

Adhering to MOS:REFPUNCT is important for several reasons:

- Consistency: It ensures that all articles follow a uniform style, making Wikipedia easier to read and navigate. - Clarity: Proper placement of references helps readers easily identify the source of information. - Professionalism: A consistent citation style enhances the credibility and professionalism of Wikipedia as a reliable source of information.

Also see

- Wikipedia:Citing sources - Wikipedia:Manual of Style - Wikipedia:Footnotes - Wikipedia:Verifiability