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Multiple Choice

What is the proper form for a subsequent short form citation after the first full citation?

Subsequent short form citations for cases use a shortened case name followed by the reporter and a pinpoint page, with the pinpoint introduced by the word “at.” This format directs the reader to the exact page within the cited decision without repeating the full case title or the initial page from the first full citation. So the best form is Brown, 347 U.S. at 490. It uses the commonly understood shortened case name, the correct reporter and page, and the pinpoint page is clearly indicated with “at.” It avoids repeating the starting page from the first citation and keeps the citation concise and precise. The other options miss the pinpoint signal or misapply the short form: including the initial page number from the first citation, omitting the pinpoint entirely, or omitting the required “at” before the pinpoint page. They do not conform to how a downstream citation should point readers to the exact place in the case.

Subsequent short form citations for cases use a shortened case name followed by the reporter and a pinpoint page, with the pinpoint introduced by the word “at.” This format directs the reader to the exact page within the cited decision without repeating the full case title or the initial page from the first full citation.

So the best form is Brown, 347 U.S. at 490. It uses the commonly understood shortened case name, the correct reporter and page, and the pinpoint page is clearly indicated with “at.” It avoids repeating the starting page from the first citation and keeps the citation concise and precise.

The other options miss the pinpoint signal or misapply the short form: including the initial page number from the first citation, omitting the pinpoint entirely, or omitting the required “at” before the pinpoint page. They do not conform to how a downstream citation should point readers to the exact place in the case.