When an asterisk and a punctuation mark (e.g. period, question mark, exclamation mark) appear at the end of a sentence, the asterisk follows the punctuation mark, with no space between them. For example:
- Melby states that this decision was sound.*
- Melby attempts to justify his decision as being sound!*
As for the explanation at the bottom of the page (e.g. author’s, editor’s or translator’s note), place the asterisk immediately before the explanation.
- *Here Melby is referring to…
Notes referenced by an asterisk or other symbol should come before any numbered footnotes in the list at the bottom of the page.
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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada
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