Introduction to Chicago Citation Style
Chicago citation style, established by the University of Chicago Press, is one of the most widely used citation systems in academic writing, particularly in history, arts, and humanities disciplines. It provides a standardized method for acknowledging sources, maintaining academic integrity, and enabling readers to locate your references. The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is currently in its 17th edition (as of 2024).
Core Documentation Systems
Chicago style features two distinct documentation systems:
Notes-Bibliography System
- Primarily used in humanities (literature, history, arts)
- Uses footnotes or endnotes for citations within the text
- Includes a bibliography at the end of the document
- Allows for commentary within notes
Author-Date System
- Commonly used in sciences and social sciences
- Uses parenthetical in-text citations (author’s last name, publication year)
- Includes a reference list at the end of the document
- More concise, focusing only on source information
Step-by-Step Process for Creating Chicago Citations
Notes-Bibliography System
- Insert a superscript number at the end of the sentence containing the cited information
- Create a footnote or endnote corresponding to that number
- Format the note with full source information for first citations, shortened forms for subsequent citations
- Include a bibliography with all sources cited, alphabetized by author’s last name
Author-Date System
- Insert a parenthetical citation after quoted or paraphrased material
- Include author’s last name and publication year (Smith 2020)
- Add page numbers for direct quotes (Smith 2020, 25)
- Create a reference list with complete bibliographic information for all sources cited
Citation Formats by Source Type
Books
Notes-Bibliography Format
First Note:
- Author’s Full Name, Title of Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page number.
Example:
- Amanda Johnson, The History of Citation Styles (Chicago: University Press, 2022), 45.
Shortened Note: 2. Johnson, Citation Styles, 67.
Bibliography Entry: Johnson, Amanda. The History of Citation Styles. Chicago: University Press, 2022.
Author-Date Format
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2022, 45)
Reference List Entry: Johnson, Amanda. 2022. The History of Citation Styles. Chicago: University Press.
Journal Articles
Notes-Bibliography Format
First Note:
- Author’s Full Name, “Title of Article,” Journal Name Volume, no. Issue (Year): page range, page cited.
Example:
- David Smith, “Citation Practices in Academia,” Journal of Academic Writing 15, no. 2 (2023): 34-56, 36.
Bibliography Entry: Smith, David. “Citation Practices in Academia.” Journal of Academic Writing 15, no. 2 (2023): 34-56.
Author-Date Format
In-text Citation: (Smith 2023, 36)
Reference List Entry: Smith, David. 2023. “Citation Practices in Academia.” Journal of Academic Writing 15 (2): 34-56.
Websites
Notes-Bibliography Format
First Note:
- Author’s Name, “Title of Page,” Name of Website, publication or last modified date, URL.
Example:
- Sarah Lee, “Chicago Style Guidelines,” University Writing Center, last modified March 15, 2024, https://www.universitywritingcenter.edu/chicago-style.
Bibliography Entry: Lee, Sarah. “Chicago Style Guidelines.” University Writing Center. Last modified March 15, 2024. https://www.universitywritingcenter.edu/chicago-style.
Author-Date Format
In-text Citation: (Lee 2024)
Reference List Entry: Lee, Sarah. 2024. “Chicago Style Guidelines.” University Writing Center. March 15, 2024. https://www.universitywritingcenter.edu/chicago-style.
Comparison Table: Notes-Bibliography vs. Author-Date
| Feature | Notes-Bibliography | Author-Date |
|---|---|---|
| In-text citation | Superscript numbers | Parenthetical (Author Year) |
| Location of citation details | Footnotes or endnotes | Parenthetical + reference list |
| End list name | Bibliography | References |
| Common disciplines | Humanities, history, arts | Sciences, social sciences |
| Publication dates in end list | After publisher | After author’s name |
| Commentary allowed | Yes, in notes | No |
| Subsequent citations | Shortened forms | Same as first citation |
| Ideal for | Complex source discussions, commentary | Straightforward source attribution |
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: Citing Sources with Multiple Authors
Solution:
- For 2-3 authors: List all authors in the order they appear (Smith, Jones, and Miller)
- For 4+ authors: List the first author followed by “et al.” (Smith et al.)
Challenge: Citing the Same Source Multiple Times
Solution:
- Notes-Bibliography: Use shortened citations after the first full citation
- Author-Date: Use the same citation format throughout
Challenge: Citing Sources Without Publication Dates
Solution:
- Use “n.d.” (no date) in place of the year
- Example: (Smith n.d.) or Smith (n.d.)
Challenge: Citing Indirect Sources
Solution:
- Cite the secondary source in your reference list
- In text or notes, use “quoted in” or “cited in”
- Example: Johnson, quoted in Smith (2023, 45)
Best Practices and Tips
- Be consistent in your citation format throughout your document
- Take detailed notes as you research to capture all required citation elements
- Use italics for book and journal titles, not quotation marks
- Use quotation marks for article titles and book chapters, not italics
- Include DOIs for electronic sources when available
- Include access dates for websites and online sources that may change
- Check with your instructor for any specific requirements or preferences
- Double-check all citations before submission
Tools and Resources for Chicago Citation Style
Citation Management Tools
- Zotero (free)
- Mendeley (free)
- EndNote (paid)
- RefWorks (subscription-based)
Official Resources
- The Chicago Manual of Style Online (subscription-based)
- Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide (free on the CMOS website)
Free Online Resources
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) Chicago Style Guide
- University libraries’ Chicago Style guides
- Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide (free portion)
Print Resources
- The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition (University of Chicago Press, 2017)
- A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9th edition by Kate L. Turabian
Final Tips for Success
- Always prioritize accuracy and consistency in your citations
- When in doubt, include more information rather than less
- Keep track of all potential citation information during research
- Update your citations if you use updated editions of sources
- Check your department’s specific Chicago style preferences
Remember that proper citation is not just about avoiding plagiarism—it’s about participating in academic conversations and giving proper credit to the ideas and work of others.