Reply To: blank line re: attribution and three asterisks
First, apples and oranges. In addition the considerations you mention, the lesson manual is based on literary so it generally should not be consulted for formats. And I don't understand the relevance of the attribution. I really need to see this example. If this is a hypothetical, I can't help you much further than you've already helped yourself. Use the asterisk when it means an asterisk and not a reference indicator. It should be listed as special symbols. And again, the lesson manual is not appropriate for guidance about special symbols in a textbook.
--Joanna