What are pinpoints and introductory signals?
Pinpoints
Pinpoints indicate the specific location or page number of the information being cited in a source and are especially necessary when citing specific ideas or quotes.
For example, the highlighted part is a pinpoint:
10 R v Ruzic, 2001 SCC 24 at para 2, [2001] 1 SCR 687 [Ruzic].
You can use pinpoints to specify page numbers, paragraphs, sections, articles and footnotes
:
Page: at 123.
Pages: at 123-129.
Paragraph: at para 7.
Paragraphs: at paras 7, 10.
Section: s 8(1).
Sections: ss 8(1)
Article: art 122.
Articles: arts 50-200.
Footnote: n 27.
Footnotes: nn 22, 27-44.
An introductory signal introduces materials that you are using in your essay and indicate the relationship between your argument and that of the author of the source you are referencing.
Introductory signals can be used in the main text of your work and in your footnotes when further explanation is needed. The McGill guide outlines specific terms to use for the introduction of certain types of citations for the sake of uniformity and convenience.
