Complete Chicago Citation Guide
Master Chicago style with comprehensive guides covering both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems, footnotes, bibliographies, and every source type.
Master Chicago Manual of Style Citations
Chicago style is a comprehensive citation system published by the University of Chicago Press, trusted by historians, humanities scholars, and academic publishers worldwide. The system provides flexibility through two distinct approaches: the Notes-Bibliography system (using footnotes and endnotes) and the Author-Date system (using parenthetical citations).
This complete pillar guide brings together all Chicago citation resources in one place, helping you navigate the complexity of this system with clarity. Whether you're writing a history paper, a humanities thesis, or preparing work for publication, these guides provide the detailed guidance you need.
Why Chicago Style Matters
- Scholarly Precision - Chicago style is designed for complex academic and historical work
- Versatility - Two systems accommodate different disciplines and writing contexts
- Detail-Oriented - Comprehensive guidance for archival materials, primary sources, and diverse publications
- Professional Standard - Preferred by academic publishers, journals, and humanities departments
Two Chicago Systems Explained
- Notes-Bibliography System - Uses superscript numbers in the text, with corresponding footnotes or endnotes, plus a bibliography. Preferred in humanities and history.
- Author-Date System - Uses parenthetical in-text citations with a reference list, similar to APA. Used in sciences, social sciences, and some humanities.
Pro Tip
Chicago style is quite flexible, and different institutions may have slight variations. Always check with your instructor, department, or publisher for their specific Chicago style requirements.
The current edition is the 17th edition (2017). Check your assignment to confirm whether you need the current edition or an earlier version.
Core Chicago Guides
Complete Chicago Citation Guide (Notes-Bibliography &
Master Chicago citation style with our complete guide covering both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems with examples.
How to Cite Artwork in Chicago Format
Master Chicago style citation for paintings, sculptures, and visual artworks. Includes museum and online sources. Understanding
How to Cite a Book Chapter in Chicago Style
Learn to cite book chapters in Chicago style with complete examples for Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems. Chapters
How to Cite a Book in Chicago Style
Master book citations in Chicago style with step-by-step instructions, examples for both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems.
How to Cite a Conference Paper in Chicago Style
Learn to cite conference papers and presentations in Chicago Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles. Conference papers
How to Cite a Database Entry in Chicago Format
Complete guide to citing entries from online databases in Chicago format. Covers academic and specialized databases. Understanding
How to Cite a Government Document in Chicago Style
Learn to cite government documents in Chicago style with examples for reports, legislation, and public records. Government
How to Cite an Image in Chicago Style
Learn to cite images, artwork, and photographs in Chicago Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles with complete examples.
How to Cite an Interview in Chicago Format
Learn Chicago style citation format for interviews including personal interviews, published interviews, and podcast interviews with date and source.
How to Cite a Journal Article in Chicago Style
Learn how to properly cite journal articles in Chicago style with our step-by-step guide, including both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date formats.
How to Cite a Map in Chicago Format
Complete guide to citing maps and geographic materials in Chicago format. Covers historical and contemporary maps. Understanding
How to Cite Multiple Authors in Chicago Style
Master Chicago citations for works with multiple authors, including rules for two, three, and four or more authors. Many
How to Cite a Music Recording in Chicago Format
Learn Chicago style citations for music recordings. Covers vinyl, CDs, streaming, and live recordings. Understanding Music
How to Cite a Newspaper Article in Chicago Style
Master Chicago citation for newspaper articles with complete guides for both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles. Newspaper
How to Cite Personal Communication in Chicago Format
Learn to properly cite interviews, emails, and personal communications in Chicago format. Understanding Personal Communication Citations in Chicago Format
How to Cite a Reprint in Chicago Format
Master Chicago style citations for reprinted works with complete examples and guidelines for accurately referencing previously published materials.
How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in Chicago Style
Complete guide to citing theses and dissertations in Chicago Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles. Theses and dissertations
How to Cite an Unpublished Manuscript in Chicago Format
Learn Chicago citation format for unpublished manuscripts, dissertations, theses, and archival materials with proper documentation.
How to Cite a Video in Chicago Style
Learn to cite videos from streaming platforms, YouTube, and other sources in Chicago Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles.
How to Cite a Website in Chicago Style
Complete guide to citing websites in Chicago Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles with practical examples and best practices.
University of Chicago Thesis Formatting Guide
Complete University of Chicago thesis formatting standards covering margins, fonts, citations, page numbering, and essential guidelines for submissions.
Footnotes & In-Text Citations
Bibliography & Reference Lists
Chicago Bibliography Format Guide: How to Create a Complete
Learn to format a complete bibliography in Chicago style with proper alphabetization, indentation, and source organization.
Chicago Notes-Bibliography vs Author-Date: Which System to
Compare Chicago Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems to choose the right citation style for your research. Chicago
Chicago vs Other Citation Styles
Comparing Chicago to other citation formats? Check out these guides:
APA vs Chicago: Which Citation Style Should You Use?
Complete comparison of APA and Chicago citation styles. Understand key differences, when to use each, and how to switch between them.
MLA vs Chicago: Key Differences Explained
Compare MLA and Chicago citation styles. Understand when to use each, key formatting differences, and how to switch between them.
Turabian vs Chicago Citation Styles
Compare Turabian and Chicago citation styles with detailed explanations and guidance for selecting the right format. Understanding
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chicago style? ▼
Chicago style is a citation format published by the University of Chicago Press. It's widely used in history, humanities, and some social science disciplines. There are two main systems: Notes and Bibliography (humanities) and Author-Date (sciences and social sciences).
What's the difference between Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems? ▼
The Notes-Bibliography system uses footnotes or endnotes for citations and a bibliography at the end of the work. The Author-Date system uses in-text citations similar to APA, with a reference list. Consult your instructor or publication guidelines to determine which system to use.
What is Turabian style? ▼
Turabian style is based on Chicago Manual of Style but is designed specifically for student papers and dissertations. It follows the same rules as Chicago but with some simplified requirements for student work.
When should I use Chicago style? ▼
Chicago style is primarily used in history and humanities courses, as well as in some humanities publications. Check your assignment guidelines or consult your instructor if you're unsure whether to use Chicago, APA, or MLA.
Is Chicago still widely used in academic writing? ▼
Yes, Chicago style remains the standard in history and humanities fields. It's preferred by many academic journals and university presses for scholarly work.
Explore Other Citation Styles
Need to use a different citation style? GenText offers comprehensive guides for other widely-used formats: