Chicago style citation, also known as the Chicago Manual of Style, is widely used in humanities disciplines. Mastering it can significantly improve the credibility and impact of your academic work. This guide provides tangible, step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the process efficiently.
Understanding the Two Main Systems
Before diving into the specifics, it's crucial to understand that Chicago style offers two main citation systems:
- Notes and Bibliography: This system uses footnotes or endnotes to cite sources within the text, with a full bibliography listing all sources at the end of the paper. This is often preferred for humanities papers.
- Author-Date: This system uses parenthetical citations within the text, with a reference list at the end. It's more common in scientific and social science fields.
This guide focuses on the Notes and Bibliography system, as it's more frequently associated with Chicago style in general usage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Chicago Style Citations (Notes and Bibliography)
Step 1: In-Text Citations (Footnotes/Endnotes)
In-text citations in Chicago style are handled via footnotes or endnotes. These provide brief information about the source, directing the reader to the full citation in the bibliography.
How to create a footnote/endnote:
- Identify the source: Determine the type of source (book, journal article, website, etc.).
- Gather necessary information: This typically includes author's name, title of the work, publication information (publisher, date, journal name, volume, issue, page numbers, URL).
- Insert the footnote/endnote: Most word processors allow you to insert footnotes/endnotes automatically. The superscript number will appear in your text, linking to the corresponding note at the bottom of the page (footnote) or at the end of the document (endnote).
- Format the footnote/endnote: Use a consistent format as detailed below.
Example Footnote:
ยน John Smith, The History of Chicago (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2023), 125.
Step 2: Bibliography (List of Works Cited)
The bibliography, located at the end of your paper, provides complete bibliographic information for every source cited in your footnotes/endnotes.
Formatting the Bibliography:
The bibliography uses a hanging indent, meaning the first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented. Here's how to format different source types:
a) Book:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example:
Smith, John. The History of Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2023.
b) Journal Article:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume Number (Year of Publication): Page Numbers.
Example:
Jones, Mary. "Urban Development in the 19th Century." Journal of Urban History 45 (2022): 22-45.
c) Website:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name (if available). "Title of Page." Website Name, URL, Access Date.
Example:
"Chicago History." Chicago Public Library, https://www.chipublib.org/chicago-history/, accessed December 12, 2023.
Step 3: Consistency and Accuracy
Crucial points to remember:
- Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your footnotes/endnotes and bibliography.
- Accuracy: Double-check all information for accuracy. Errors can undermine the credibility of your work.
- Completeness: Include all necessary information for each source.
Advanced Considerations:
- Multiple Authors: List multiple authors in the order they appear on the publication. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.
- Editors: If citing an edited work, include the editor's name after the title, using "ed." or "eds." for single or multiple editors respectively.
- Multiple Works by the Same Author: Use a short title in subsequent citations to avoid repetition.
By following these steps and paying close attention to detail, you can effectively utilize Chicago style citations and present your research with clarity and professionalism. Remember to consult the official Chicago Manual of Style for the most up-to-date guidelines and detailed examples.
