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Formatting an Appellate Brief in MS Word

Guide to formatting an appellate brief using MS Word on a PC or Mac.

Font Formatting: Superscripts and Small Caps

Superscript ordinal numbers are the default in MS Word:

Ordinal numeral "fifth" in superscript

However, the Bluebook forbids the use of superscript ordinals, and so many legal professionals do not use them. To change a superscript ordinal to ordinary font, highlight the superscript portion, right-click, choose Font, then un-check the box for Superscript in the Effects pane.

To turn off the default superscript setting entirely, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type > uncheck the box for "Ordinals with superscript."

To enable or disable small caps font:

Image of text in small caps font

Highlight the text, right-click, select Font, then use the Small Caps check box in the Effects pane.

Section and Paragraph Symbols

Windows Instructions

To insert a section symbol (§), Insert > Symbol > More Symbols > Special Characters > §. Your most recently used inserted symbols will show up after you go to Insert > Symbol, so the process will get shorter. However, since as a legal writer, you will probably be using the section symbol regularly, you may as well go ahead and set up a keyboard shortcut.

To create a keyboard shortcut: Insert > Symbol > More Symbols > Special Characters > choose § > Shortcut Key. Enter a keyboard combination you will remember (I use CONTROL + ALT + S), click Assign, then Close.

To insert a paragraph symbol, follow the instructions above but select ¶ instead of §.

Mac Instructions

Insert > Symbol > Symbol Browser to choose either section or paragraph symbols. Or just use Option+6 to use the preassigned shortcut for §, and Option+7 to use the shortcut for ¶.