Chicago style, also known as the Chicago Manual of Style, offers two main citation formats: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. This guide will primarily focus on the Notes and Bibliography system, which is more commonly used in humanities disciplines. However, we'll touch on key differences in the Author-Date system as well.
Understanding Chicago Style Citations
The core principle of Chicago style is to provide readers with complete bibliographic information in footnotes or endnotes (Notes system) and a comprehensive bibliography at the end of your work. This allows for easy verification of sources and facilitates deeper research.
Key Differences Between Notes & Bibliography and Author-Date
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Notes and Bibliography: Uses footnotes or endnotes to cite sources within the text, with a full bibliographic entry appearing in the bibliography. This system is ideal for detailed scholarly work where context and source analysis are crucial.
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Author-Date: Uses in-text parenthetical citations with the author's last name and year of publication, followed by a full reference list at the end. This is often preferred in the sciences and social sciences for its conciseness.
Notes and Bibliography System: A Step-by-Step Guide
This section details how to create citations using the Notes and Bibliography system.
Creating Footnotes/Endnotes
Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page, while endnotes appear at the end of the document. Both serve the same purpose. Here’s a basic structure:
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First Citation: Provide complete bibliographic information in the first footnote/endnote for a given source. This includes author, title, publication information (publisher, date, etc.). Subsequent citations of the same source can be shortened.
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Subsequent Citations: Use shortened forms like “Ibid.” (for the same source and page) or “Op. cit.” (for a previous citation from the same source). However, overuse of these abbreviations can be cumbersome. Consider using a shortened version of the title or author's last name along with the page number for clarity.
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Multiple Sources in One Note: If you're citing multiple sources within a single note, list them in alphabetical order by author's last name. Separate each source with a semicolon.
Example:
¹ John Smith, The History of Cats (New York: Meow Publishing, 2023), 15-17.
² Ibid., 22. (Referring to the same page in Smith's book)
³ Jane Doe, Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide, 2nd ed. (London: Bark Books, 2024), 5.
⁴ Smith, History of Cats, 25; Doe, Dogs, 10.
Creating the Bibliography
The bibliography appears at the end of your paper and lists all sources cited in full. The format varies depending on the source type (book, journal article, website, etc.).
General Format for Books:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
General Format for Journal Articles:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume Number, Issue Number (Year): Page range.
Example Bibliography:
Doe, Jane. Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide. 2nd ed. London: Bark Books, 2024.
Smith, John. The History of Cats. New York: Meow Publishing, 2023.
Author-Date System: A Brief Overview
In the Author-Date system, sources are cited in parentheses within the text itself, typically including the author's last name and year of publication. A complete reference list is provided at the end. The specific formatting details differ slightly from the Notes and Bibliography system. Consult the Chicago Manual of Style for detailed guidelines on Author-Date citations.
Where to Find More Information
For comprehensive information and specific examples covering various source types, always refer to the official Chicago Manual of Style. Many university libraries and writing centers also offer helpful resources and style guides. This guide provides a foundational understanding; for accurate and detailed citation practices, consulting the official manual is essential.
