Ibid Full Form
by Yogi P - September 1, 2023
Unraveling the Term “Ibid”: Its Full Form and How to Use It
When it comes to academic writing or research papers, there’s a slew of short terms and abbreviations that pop up frequently. One such term is “ibid”. But what does “ibid” mean? Let’s delve deep into understanding the term, its full form, and its applications.
Ibid Full Form
The full form of “ibid” is Ibidem, a Latin word meaning “in the same place.” In academic writing or scholarly works, “ibid” is employed to avoid repetitive citations in footnotes or endnotes.
Why Use Ibid?
Imagine referring to the same source multiple times in your work. Rewriting the entire citation repeatedly can be tedious for both the writer and the reader. “Ibid” provides a concise and clear way to indicate that the citation is identical to the one immediately preceding it.
How to Use Ibid
Using “ibid” might appear tricky, but it’s rather straightforward. Here are some simple guidelines:
Direct Repetition: If you’re citing the exact same source and the same page number as the previous citation, simply use “ibid.”
Example:
- Brown, Tom. History of Literature. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010, p. 50.
- Ibid.
Different Page Number: If you’re referring to the same work but a different page, use “ibid” followed by the new page number.
Example:
- Brown, Tom. History of Literature. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010, p. 50.
- Ibid., p. 52.
Consecutive Citations: If you’ve cited multiple works in succession and want to refer to an earlier one (not immediately preceding), it’s advisable to use a short form of the author’s name, a few keywords from the title, and the new page number rather than “ibid.”
Points to Remember
- Always use “ibid” in lowercase unless it begins a sentence.
- Modern citation styles, like the Chicago Manual of Style, endorse the use of “ibid”, but it’s crucial to check specific style guidelines as some, like the Modern Language Association (MLA), do not.
Ibid in Context: Literature and Film
In literature, scholars widely adopt “ibid” to streamline their references. For instance, in literary criticism, when an author might repeatedly cite a particular work of Shakespeare in a chapter, “ibid” can minimize redundancy.
In films or documentaries, while “ibid” isn’t visibly used in the same way as in written texts, the principle is present in the way repeated references or footage from the same source are noted in the credits.
Conclusion
The term “ibid” and its full form, “ibidem”, might sound intimidating at first, especially if you’re new to academic writing. However, once you understand its purpose and application, it becomes an invaluable tool to make your scholarly references more concise. The next time you come across this term or use it, you’ll not only be optimizing your writing but also engaging in a tradition that scholars have followed for centuries.
