What are the two Chicago citation styles?

Chicago style has two systems: Notes-Bibliography (also called Turabian) and Author-Date. Notes-Bibliography uses numbered footnotes or endnotes, preferred in humanities like history and literature. Author-Date uses in-text citations similar to APA, preferred in sciences and social sciences. Choose based on your discipline.

How do I format Chicago Notes-Bibliography citations?

In Notes-Bibliography, place a superscript number in your text and create a corresponding footnote or endnote with full source information. First note includes full details; subsequent notes of the same source use shortened form. Include author name, title, publication info, and page number if citing a specific passage.

When should I use Author-Date vs Notes-Bibliography?

Use Notes-Bibliography for history, humanities, literature, and cultural studies. Use Author-Date for social sciences, sciences, engineering, and psychology. Your discipline and instructor preferences determine which style to use. Notes-Bibliography is traditional for academic books; Author-Date is standard in academic journals.

What are common Chicago citation mistakes?

Common errors include: inconsistent note formatting, missing publication details, incorrect punctuation in titles, forgetting to create a bibliography (in Notes-Bibliography style), and failing to use shortened notes for subsequent references. Always verify your citations against the Chicago Manual of Style.

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What is Chicago Style?

Chicago style is a comprehensive system for citing sources, published by the University of Chicago Press in the Chicago Manual of Style. It is the preferred citation format for history, literature, cultural studies, and other humanities disciplines. Chicago style is also known as Turabian style when used in academic papers and theses.

A distinctive feature of Chicago style is its flexibility in offering two different citation systems: Notes-Bibliography (traditional for humanities) and Author-Date (becoming increasingly common). This flexibility allows writers in different disciplines to choose the system that best fits their field's conventions.

Notes-Bibliography vs. Author-Date

Chicago style offers two distinct systems for citing sources. Understanding the differences will help you choose the appropriate format for your writing.

Notes-Bibliography

• Uses numbered footnotes or endnotes
• Full citations in first note, shortened forms later
• Requires a Bibliography page
• Traditional in humanities and history
• Allows for explanatory notes

Author-Date

• Uses parenthetical in-text citations
• Author name and year in text: (Smith 2024)
• Requires a Reference List page
• Common in sciences and social sciences
• Cleaner for readers with less distraction

Choose Notes-Bibliography if your instructor requires it or if you're writing in a humanities discipline where this system is traditional. Choose Author-Date if you're in a science or social science field, or if your instructor specifies this format. Check your assignment guidelines and ask your instructor if you're unsure which system to use.

Chicago Notes-Bibliography Format

In Notes-Bibliography format, you place a superscript number in your text and create a corresponding note at the bottom of the page (footnote) or end of the document (endnote). The first time you cite a source, provide full bibliographic information. Subsequent citations of the same source use a shortened form.

Full Note Format (First Reference):

1. Author First Name Last Name, Title of Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page number.

1. Author First Name Last Name, "Title of Article," Journal Title, vol. number, no. number (Year): page numbers.

Shortened Note Format (Subsequent References):

5. Last Name, "Short Title," page number.

Your Bibliography appears on a separate page at the end and lists all sources in full, arranged alphabetically by author's last name. Format is similar to the full note but arranged differently.

Chicago Author-Date Format

In Author-Date format, you place parenthetical citations in your text that include the author's last name and year of publication. Full publication details appear in the Reference List at the end of your paper.

In-Text Citation Format:

(Smith 2024)

(Smith 2024, 45)

(Smith and Johnson 2024)

(Smith et al. 2024)

Reference List Format:

Smith, John. Book Title. Publisher, 2024.

Smith, John. "Article Title." Journal Title, vol. 45, no. 3, 2024, pp. 45-67.

Common Chicago Citation Mistakes

Chicago style has many detailed rules. Here are the most frequent errors to avoid:

Inconsistent Note Numbering

Your notes must be numbered consecutively throughout your paper. Don't restart numbering on each page. Check that your superscript numbers in the text match the note numbers at the bottom of the page or in your endnotes section.

Forgetting the Bibliography

In Notes-Bibliography style, you must include a Bibliography page that lists all sources alphabetically. This is in addition to your footnotes or endnotes. Many students forget to include this essential component.

Mixing Citation Systems

Choose either Notes-Bibliography or Author-Date and stick with it throughout your paper. Don't mix elements of both systems. Consistent formatting is essential for academic credibility.

Incorrect Title Formatting

Use italics for full-length works (books, journals) and quotation marks for shorter works (articles, essays, chapters). Be consistent throughout your citations.

Omitting Publication Details

Chicago style requires place of publication, publisher name, and publication date. Don't skip these details. For online sources, include the URL or DOI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use footnotes and endnotes together?

It's best to use either footnotes or endnotes consistently throughout your paper, not both. Footnotes appear at the bottom of each page, while endnotes appear at the end of the document. Choose whichever your instructor prefers or which best suits your writing style.

What's the difference between ibid. and shortened notes?

Use "ibid." only when you're citing the exact same source as the previous note. If you've cited a different source in between, use the shortened form instead. For example: "Smith, 'Title,' page number."

Should I include URLs in Chicago citations?

Yes, include URLs or DOI numbers for online sources. Format them without "http://" or "https://" at the beginning unless required by your instructor. DOI numbers are preferred over URLs when available.

How do I cite archival materials?

For archival sources, include the collection name, repository, location, and date. Example: "Smith, John. Letter to Jane Doe. March 15, 1924. Archives Collection, University Library, City, State."

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