How to Cite a Journal Article in OSCOLA (4th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a journal article citation in OSCOLA (4th Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a journal article in OSCOLA (4th Edition):

Template

Author, 'Title' [Year] Volume Journal Abbreviation First Page

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

See footnote 1 (superscript in text).

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Andrew Burrows, 'The Relationship between Common Law and Statute in the Law of Obligations' [2012] 128 LQR 232

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the author name(s)
Write the full name(s) of the author(s). Separate two authors with 'and'. For three or more, list all separated by commas with 'and' before the last.
2
Write the article title
Place the article title in single quotation marks. Do not italicise.
3
Add the year
Write the year of publication in parentheses. This comes before the volume number.
4
Add volume and journal abbreviation
Write the volume number (if applicable) followed by the standard journal abbreviation. The journal abbreviation is not italicised in OSCOLA.
5
Include the starting page
Write the starting page of the article. For a specific page, add a comma and the pinpoint page. OSCOLA citations do not end with a full stop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using commas between author names instead of 'and'.
Placing the year after the journal abbreviation instead of before the volume.
Not placing the article title in single quotation marks.
Italicising the article title (OSCOLA uses single quotation marks, not italics, for article titles).
Adding a full stop at the end of the footnote citation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OSCOLA end citations with a full stop?

No. OSCOLA footnote citations do not end with a full stop. This is one of the most distinctive features of the style.

How do I cite a specific page in an OSCOLA journal article?

After the starting page, add a comma and the specific page: ... 112, 120. This is called a pinpoint citation.

Are author names formatted differently in OSCOLA?

Yes. OSCOLA uses first name then surname (e.g., Rachel Patel), unlike some other styles that use surname first. No full stops are used after initials.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your journal article:

Author(s)
Year of publication
Article title
Journal name
Volume number
Issue number
Page range
DOI or URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Write the author name(s)

Write the full name(s) of the author(s). Separate two authors with 'and'. For three or more, list all separated by commas with 'and' before the last.

Write the article title

Place the article title in single quotation marks. Do not italicise.

Add the year

Write the year of publication in parentheses. This comes before the volume number.

Add volume and journal abbreviation

Write the volume number (if applicable) followed by the standard journal abbreviation. The journal abbreviation is not italicised in OSCOLA.

Include the starting page

Write the starting page of the article. For a specific page, add a comma and the pinpoint page. OSCOLA citations do not end with a full stop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using commas between author names instead of 'and'.

Placing the year after the journal abbreviation instead of before the volume.

Not placing the article title in single quotation marks.

Italicising the article title (OSCOLA uses single quotation marks, not italics, for article titles).

Adding a full stop at the end of the footnote citation.