women in references

nate (schmolze who-is-at students.wisc.edu)
Wed, 14 Apr 1999 09:41:31 -0500

For a class, I was recently reading some essays in "The Identity in
Question" and what stood out for me was the use of references. First,
endnotes were used more often than references to cite another author. So
in that sense it was not so much of acknowledging the "knowledge" that came
before you, but describing the broader context of the citation. The second
thing that stood out for me was the use of the whole name which made
explicit as least in regard to gender who was male and female.

Even in social-science literature this use of referencing is very rare. I
am aware there are various standards for publication, but was curious of
personal experiences of challenges to these various standards or is no
challenge possible. I am aware of the political reasons for certain
dominant standards of writing, but am curious/perplexed why those standards
themselves are not more controversial or explicitly attacked.

I personally like footnotes as compared to endnotes because they help
clarify or encourage a dialogue between writer and reader, but again
endnotes seem to be the more dominant practice. An assumption that if it
has no direct relation to the text or argument that it should be at the end
rather than a part of the paper. Again, I would be curious as to the
consequences of challenging the dominant standards of writing.

Nate