How to Properly Use an Asterisk

follow-these-guidelines-to-properly-use-an-asterisk

The important thing to remember about an asterisk is simply that it points to something else. It does not convey an idea on its own. The use is not to emphasize or to stress something. Essentially, it is a pointer to a footnote at the bottom of a page, that serves to elucidate or to provide an exception or limitation to something in the text. It is similar to a numbered footnote but is usually used when there are only a few notes on a page.

Proper use of an Asterisk

Within a text, an asterisk is typed directly after the final punctuation of the sentence it relates to, but before a dash.

Whenever an asterisk is placed within a text, a corresponding asterisk is placed at the bottom of the page, within the footer area, directly below the printed textual material. This footnote asterisk should contain some explanation, limitation, or elucidation of the text.  An asterisk should precede any numbered footnotes at the bottom of the page.

Occasionally we see a newspaper or magazine article that contains a single asterisk within the text but does not include the corresponding footnote to indicate the meaning of the textual note. What is the purpose of this single asterisk smack dab in the middle of the text? No one knows; except, perhaps, the writer who put it there. Presumably, the author may have wanted to emphasize a particular point or give added importance to a statement. However, without a note at the bottom of the page, the reader has no clue as to what the asterisk stands for.

Example of How to Use an Asterisk

-Jenny states that this decision was sound.*

*Here Jenny is referring to…

 

It is an error that, unfortunately, is seen too frequently today in printed material. So, it is best to always use an asterisk as a pointer. It points to a footnote at the bottom of the page!

 

You might be interested in reading this post How to Edit Faster and More Efficiently 

Originally posted 8/4/2015 and happily updated 10/21/2021. Thanks for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions

First Editing is equipped to edit ANY type of document you can write! Over the past 10 years, we’ve perfected tens of thousands of manuscripts, books, ebooks, theses, dissertations, essays, letters, websites, articles, scripts, business proposals, poetry, and more! Let us transform your draft into a perfectly edited masterpiece! Click HERE for a FREE sample edit and price quote…
Projects less than 50 pages are completed in just 2-3 business days. Longer documents (manuscripts, dissertations, etc.) require 7-10 business days depending on their length. If you order multiple documents totaling 50+ pages, they can all still be completed in the standard 3 day timeframe since each document may be assigned to a different editing team simultaneously. Additionally, 1-2 day rush services are also available. See our order form for more details.
Professional editors of successfully published books, journals, articles, and more are working around the clock to ensure your editing is letter-perfect and delivered according to your deadline. Each editor has a minimum of TEN years worth of professional writing & editing experience. Show us some of YOUR writing and we’ll send YOU a FREE editing sample!
First Editing is one of the very few online editing services that GUARANTEES client satisfaction! If there is ANYTHING about our work with which you are not 100% satisfied, we will correct it at no additional charge. First Editing is also the ONLY service of its kind to GUARANTEE on-time completion. We NEVER miss a deadline…EVER!! Read more about our Editing Satisfaction Guarantee.
Our basic rates vary from just 1 U.S. cent per word to just over 3 U.S. cents per word. Most basic copy editing that does not require rush delivery costs between $0.0097 and $0.013 USD per word (approximately one cent per word). Larger orders often cost even less. Factors influencing your total price are document type, length of manuscript, turnaround time required, & level of editing required. For a free, no-obligation price quote, CLICK HERE.

Share With :

GTCoding
Get a free editing sample outlining areas you need to fix before publishing. Discover what works!

Add Your Heading Text Here

Add Your Heading Text Here