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Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide

Chicago-style source citations come in two varieties: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date. If you already know which system to use, follow one of the links above to see sample citations for a variety of common sources. If you are unsure about which system to use, read on.

Notes and Bibliography or Author-Date?

The notes and bibliography system is preferred by many working in the humanities—including literature, history, and the arts. In this system, sources are cited in numbered footnotes or endnotes. Each note corresponds to a raised (superscript) number in the text. Sources are also usually listed in a separate bibliography. The notes and bibliography system can accommodate a wide variety of sources, including unusual ones that don’t fit neatly into the author-date system.

The author-date system is more common in the sciences and social sciences. In this system, sources are briefly cited in the text, usually in parentheses, by author’s last name and year of publication. Each in-text citation matches up with an entry in a reference list, where full bibliographic information is provided.

Aside from the use of numbered notes versus parenthetical references in the text, the two systems share a similar style. Follow the links at the top of this page to see examples of some of the more common source types cited in both systems.

Most authors choose the system used by others in their field or required by their publisher. Students who are unsure of which system to use will find more information here .

For a more comprehensive look at Chicago’s two systems of source citation and many more examples, see chapters 14 and 15 of The Chicago Manual of Style.

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Chicago Style (17th Edition) Citation Guide: Introduction

  • Introduction
  • Journal Articles
  • Magazine/Newspaper Articles
  • Books & Ebooks
  • Government & Legal Documents
  • Secondary Sources
  • Videos & DVDs
  • How to Cite: Biblical & Catholic Sources
  • How to Cite: Other
  • Short Form & Ibid.
  • Additional Help

Who should use Chicago Style?

Chicago style is the preferred citation style for history and theology.

Note:  UP typically uses the "notes and bibliography" format of Chicago style, not the "author date" format.

What is Chicago Style?

Chicago style was created by the University of Chicago. It is a set of rules for publications, including research papers.

In Chicago style, you must cite sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

  • In the body of your paper where you add a footnote  (which appears in the footer at the bottom of the page).
  • In the bibliography  at the end of your paper.
  • Chicago Style 17th ed. Notes and Bibliography Sample Paper (Purdue OWL)

Commonly Used Terms

Access Date:  The date you first look at a source. The access date is added to the end of citations for all websites except library databases.

Bibliography: Contains details on ALL the sources cited in a text or essay, and supports your research and/or premise.

Citation: Details about one cited source.

Citing: The process of acknowledging the sources of your information and ideas.

Footnote: Details about one source that you cited in the text of your paper, which appears in the footer at the bottom of the page.

Paraphrasing: Taking information that you have read and putting it into your own words.

Plagiarism: Taking, using, and passing off as your own, the ideas or words of another.

Quoting: The copying of words of text originally published elsewhere. Direct quotations generally appear in quotation marks and end with a citation.

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Chicago Manual of Style

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Chicago Citation Guide: Getting Started

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  • How do I Cite?
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The Chicago Manual of Style

The Chicago Manual of Style specifically focuses on American English and also deals with aspects of editorial practice, including grammar and usage, as well as document preparation and formatting. For citations, the Chicago style offers authors the choice between two formats:

  • The Notes and Bibliography system:  Preferred by many working in the humanities (literature, history, the arts, etc.). Sources are cited in numbered footnotes or endnotes in the text and listed in a separate bibliography.
  • The Author-Date system:  Often used in the sciences and social sciences. Sources are briefly cited in the text (usually in parentheses, author's last name and year of publication), and matched up with an entry in a reference list with full bibliographic information.

Aside from the use of numbered footnotes vs. parenthetical citations in-text, the two systems share a similar style.

What is Chicago Style?

Chicago style was developed by the University of Chicago Press in 1906. It is a set of rules for research papers and publications for fields like history and business.

In Chicago, you must cite sources that you have paraphrased, quoted, or consulted to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

  • In the body of your paper (in-text citation).
  • In the Bibliography or reference list at the end of your paper (full bibliographic reference).
  • Next: How do I Cite? >>
  • Last Updated: Jun 24, 2022 12:30 PM
  • URL: https://paperpile.libguides.com/chicago

research paper cite chicago style

Chicago Style (17th Edition): Introduction

  • Introduction
  • Journal Articles
  • Magazine/Newspaper Articles
  • Books & Ebooks
  • Government & Legal Documents
  • Secondary Sources
  • Videos & DVDs
  • How to Cite: Biblical & Catholic Sources
  • How to Cite: Other
  • Short Form & Ibid.
  • Additional Help

Chicago Style at Duquesne University

research paper cite chicago style

At Duquesne University, Chicago style is the preferred citation format for the History and Theology Departments, as well as the Center for Global Health Ethics.

Note: The above departments typically uses the "Notes and Bibliography" format of Chicago style, not the "Author Date" format.

What is Chicago Style?

Chicago Style was created by the University of Chicago. It is a set of rules for formatting publications, including research papers.

In Chicago style, you must cite sources that you have quoted, paraphrased, or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places

  • In the body of your paper where you add a footnote  (which appears in the footer at the bottom of the page)
  • In the bibliography  at the end of your paper.
  • Chicago Style 17th ed. Notes and Bibliography Sample Paper (Purdue OWL)

Commonly Used Terms

Access Date:  The date you first look at a source. The access date is added to the end of citations for all websites except library databases.

Bibliography: Contains details on ALL the sources cited in a text or essay, and supports your research and/or premise.

Citation: Details about one cited source.

Citing: The process of acknowledging the sources of your information and ideas.

Footnote: Details about one source that you cited in the text of your paper, which appears in the footer at the bottom of the page.

Paraphrasing: Taking information that you have read and putting it into your own words.

Plagiarism: Taking, using, and passing off as your own, the ideas or words of another.

Quoting: The copying of words of text originally published elsewhere. Direct quotations generally appear in quotation marks and end with a citation.

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More Chicago Style Help

research paper cite chicago style

  • Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition) Database The Chicago Manual of Style presented as a database. Enter your Multipass username and password when prompted.
  • Chicago Style (Purdue OWL)

This guide was created by Hannah Goss, English Department Intern, and Ted Bergfelt, Humanities Librarian, in September 2022. It is based on a guide originally created by Stephine Michel, University of Portland, and was made with her kind permission.

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Format Your Paper & Cite Your Sources

Chicago style.

  • Citing Sources
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What You Need to Know About Chicago Style

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  • Harvard Style
  • Other Styles
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  • How to Create an Attribution

What is Chicago Style?

The Chicago Manual of Style is a comprehensive reference for authors, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers in any field, though most often used in the humanities.

research paper cite chicago style

Whenever you use a citation style (ANY citation style!) you will be governed by that style in three ways:

  • The general format of the paper.  This includes margins, font, page numbers, line spacing, titles, headings, etc.  
  • The  bibliography.  The bibliography is the cumulative list of all sources used in your research. In Chicago, this is called the  Bibliography  (if you're using the notes-bibliography system) or   Reference   list  (if you're using the author-date system). How do you cite a printed book vs. a book found on a database vs. a book found on the Web?   
  • In-text citation.  Citing sources within the body of your paper lets your reader know you're incorporating someone else's words/research/ideas. In the notes-bibliography system you'll use footnotes or endnotes for your in-text citations. In the author-date references system you'll use parenthetical citations for your in-text citations.

Here's what you need to know to complete your paper in Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) format.

The links below will take you to the Ready, Set, Cite (Chicago) research guide:

  • Formatting the Paper
  • Citation Basics
  • Notes-Bibliography System
  • Author-Date References System

Use NoodleTools to help you create your citations .

It's easy; it's a form you fill out with the information about your source; it helps you catch mistakes.

  • NoodleTools Express Use NoodleTools Express to create citations on the fly in MLA, APA, or Chicago style.
  • NoodleTools (Login Full Database) This link opens in a new window Create and organize your research notes, share and collaborate on research projects, compose and error check citations, and complete your list of works cited in MLA, APA, or Chicago style using the full version of NoodleTools. You'll need to Create a Personal ID and password the first time you use NoodleTools.

NoodleTools Help:

  • NoodleTools Help Desk Look up questions and answers on the NoodleTools Web site
  • NoodleTools for Researchers Research guide created for MJC students
  • << Previous: APA Style, 7th Edition
  • Next: Harvard Style >>
  • Last Updated: Apr 18, 2024 12:04 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.mjc.edu/citeyoursources

Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and CC BY-NC 4.0 Licenses .

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College-wide Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition

  • CHICAGO RESEARCH PAPER
  • CITING BOOKS
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CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE 17TH Ed, Research Paper

The Chicago Style offers two types of citations: bibliography style and reference list style. This guide assists with the bibliography style. Please consider your instructor's assignment requirements.

Your Chicago-style research paper should have the following components:

1. Chicago-style title page

2. The body of the paper with correct margins, in-text citations, etc.

3. Endnotes or footnotes

4. Bibliography 

Paper-Formatting Tip Sheets   (Margins, Title page, Citations, Crafting a paper & more)

Please contact an Eastern Florida State College Librarian if you experience any barriers to accessing these materials or need research help. Cocoa 321-433-7662 Melbourne 321-433-5576 Palm Bay 321-433-5275 Titusville 321-433-5036

"College-wide Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition" by Marian Smith.  CC by 4.0 .

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Information

How to cite references using chicago style/turabian.

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Chicago Style Examples Handout

Available for print or download.

  • Chicago/Turabian Citation Style [Handout]

Other Relevant Guides

  • How to Cite References Using APA Style
  • How to Cite References Using MLA Style
  • Reference Tools - Citation Style Guides

About Citing References Using Chicago Manual of Style

Welcome to the guide for Citing References Using Chicago Manual of Style!

We hope that you will find this guide a useful starting place for information on Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition and Turabian. We have assembled a core collection of resources available through the Wayne State University Library System, as well as high quality, freely available web resources. This guide is a collaborative work-in-progress, developed with the suggestions and feedback from students and faculty.

Note: Turabian style is built on Chicago Manual of Style, with s pecific requirements for the formatting of class papers, theses, or dissertations. The general formatting rules are:

-margins of atleast one inch on all sides, -single, readable font (arial, times new roman, etc.) with a font size equivalent to at least 12-point times new roman, -double-spaced in all areas (exceptions are block quotes, table titles and figure captions, lists in appendixes, table of contents, footnotes /endnotes, and bibliographies/reference lists), ai disclaimer.

Do not use AI to suggest references to read/cite

Please be aware that ChatGPT and other AI services can produce incorrect, made-up references that cannot be sourced. While some individual parts of an AI-generated reference may be accurate (such as the journal name, article or book title or an author) the whole reference does not usually exist so cannot be found by our library team.

If you have a reference that you cannot find, our team may ask where it came from so that we can ensure it is legitimate before attempting to find it. If you need assistance, please use our 24/7 library chat service. 

Chicago Manual of Style Online

  • Chicago Manual of Style Online, 17th ed. The Chicago Manual of Style Online is the venerable, time-tested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice.

This online manual includes a Citation Quick Guide ,  Chicago Style Q&A , and Video Tutorials .

Create a Citation Now!

  • ZoteroBib ZoteroBib creates a bibliography in the style you need, including APA, MLA and Chicago/Turbaian. Just enter the from URL, title, DOI and other information, select your style and Zotero will compile a formatted citation list.
  • Learn more about ZoteroBib

More Chicago Style Guides

research paper cite chicago style

  • The Writer's Handbook: Chicago/Turabian Documentation Guide The University of Wisconsin - Madison provides a quick resource for citing references in papers using the Chicago Style Manual, 17th ed.
  • Purdue OWL: Chicago Manual of Style Formatting & Style Guide This resource offers examples for the general format of Chicago Style research papers, endnotes/footnotes, and bibliographic citations.
  • Citation Style Chart A handy side-by-side comparison of APA, MLA and Chicago styles.
  • Sample Research Paper in Chicago Style

Citation Management Apps

  • Citation Management Compare [Handout] This provides a comparison of EndNote Desktop, EndNote Online, Zotero and RefWorks citation management applications

Zotero Citation Manager (Beginner Level)

Zotero is a free app that lets you create and save a library of your sources, take notes, and use those sources with Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice to integrate the citations in your paper and create a properly formatted bibliography. Recommended for Undergraduates and all levels of students in the Social Sciences or Humanities. You need to have your own personal computer in order to use the word processor integration to create bibliographies

  • Learn more about Zotero

RefWorks Citation Manager (Beginner Level)

RefWorks is a cloud-based licensed citation management app available free to all Wayne State students, faculty, and staff. It can collect citations from databases and Google Scholar, format bibliographies in lots of citations styles, and works with Word and Google Docs to insert citations and build reference lists as you write. Recommended for Undergraduates. RefWorks is also a good option if you work on lots of group research projects, or use public computers and need a cloud-based option.

  • Learn more about RefWorks

EndNote Citation Manager (Advanced Level)

EndNote citation management software is licensed software available for purchase (at a significantly discounted rate) by all Wayne State students, faculty and staff. It can format bibliographic entries in almost every citation style and works with most word processors to insert citations and build reference lists as you write. Citation information can be entered manually or export directly from the library's online databases. Recommended for Graduate Students in the Sciences or Engineering.

  • Learn more about EndNote
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Chicago Manual of Style Publication Manual

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Chicago Manual of Style Basics

  • Chicago Style Guide (Purdue OWL) Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides extensive explanation and examples of Chicago style.
  • Turabian Quick Guide A brief overview of the most common examples of citation formats from Kate Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers.

Please note: Chicago Manual of Style has two different citation options:

  • Notes-Bibliography Style
  • Author-Date Reference Style

If you are unsure which one to use, please contact your instructor.

Chicago Manual of Style Formatting

Formatting Citations and the Works Cited/Reference List

  • Chicago Style Citation Guide An excellent guide to using the Chicago style citation format from Western Oregon University Library.
  • Chicago Style Citation Guide (Seattle)   This useful guide from the Seattle Central Community College Library covers the basics of the Chicago citation style in an easy to use format.
  • Chicago Style Guide Chicago citation style guide from the Santa Fe College (Gainesville, FL) Library.

Other Resources

  • Term Paper Handbook for Chicago (Turabian) Style A detailed guide on how to format your research paper in the Chicago citation style from the Sierra College Writing Center. Includes examples citations of notes and a bibliography.

Chicago Manual of Style Citation and Research Paper Examples

Citation Examples

  • Citation Examples from the Chicago Manual of Style Online

Research Paper Examples

  • Chicago Style Sample Paper (Purdue OWL)  An example of a paper written in the Chicago citation style, including extensive explanatory notes and examples. (Footnotes and bibliography.)
  • Chicago Style Sample Research Paper: Notes/Bibliography Style  OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University. Notes and Bibliography (NB) Style
  • Chicago Style Sample Paper: Author/Date Style  OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University. Author/Date Style

Chicago Manual of Style Tutorials

  • Chicago Style: The Basics   A video tutorial created by the OWL at Purdue.​​​​​​​
  • Chicago Manual of Style Citations Tutorial  This tutorial from Western Michigan University Libraries covers the difference between the two basic citation styles used in CMOS.
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Quetext

How To Cite a Research Paper: MLA, APA, and Chicago Style

  • Posted on January 25, 2022

When you’re writing a research paper, you’ll use a variety of sources to find information. You might find that you end up using other people’s research papers as sources of information for your own work. You need to know how to cite a research paper properly.

Using text citations tells readers where you got your information, and help build a sense of trust, allowing the reader to feel confident that you haven’t falsified the information. You have to prove that you’ve done the research and found data to back up the claims you’re making.

Writing a paper without giving credit to people whose work you’re using is plagiarism. Unless you’re citing a direct quote you want to change the language enough, by putting the quote in your own words, so it sounds like original content. Quetext’s plagiarism checker  helps you search for similar content across the web so you can turn in a completely original paper.

Whether you’re submitting a research paper to school or for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, you’re required to cite your sources. Editors often reread the work of writers and researchers to ensure the information is factual. A teacher or professor will definitely check that your sources are accurate, so using tools like Quetext will help avoid unintentional plagiarism errors or wrongfully cited information.

Why Text Citations are Important

If you don’t have sources to back up your research, others might accuse you of spreading false information or plagiarism. Any journal publishing papers should verify what they’re printing, but ultimately, as the author, the buck stops with you.

In general, it’s a kindness to cite your sources. The people who created them did a lot of work, so it’s wrong to claim ownership of their ideas and information. But it’s also an ethical issue that can have major repercussions.

There have been cases where researchers  make up information  or falsify their sources and must face the consequences. People depend on factual information and don’t react well when they realize you lied to them or falsely paraphrase information.

That’s why it’s common knowledge to write a well-researched paper with text citations. If anyone claims your information is incorrect, you can point them to the source where you found the data. This doesn’t guarantee that the information you cited is correct, but you’ll be able to provide readers with a source of where you gathered your information.

When you’re citing other people’s research papers, make sure the source is legitimate. You should only use peer-reviewed journals so you know the article has gone through edits and fact-checking. Something identified as a research paper that is only on a blog or message board isn’t always a reliable source.

Many students like to use  Wikipedia  because there’s so much information available from one source. However, Wikipedia allows users to edit the information. What you read in a specific entry might not be true. It’s best to scroll down to the works cited and go to the original source yourself. If you can’t find a reliable, original source for the information, you shouldn’t use it.

Using the Various Citation Styles

The information used in any citation is basically the same across each style guide. The formatting and order of some elements may vary, so it’s important to know the difference between Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago Styles.

The style you use depends on what type of writing you’re doing. All will use these basic elements in some form or another:

Source name

Volume and edition

Publication date

Page numbers

Publisher name

City and country of the publisher

URL and DOI for web pages and digital sources

The date you accessed the material

In addition to a reference list at the end of your work, you’ll also use in-text citations. Whenever you reference an idea or data that isn’t yours, you cite it. Each style has different types of in-text citations as well. Read on to find out about each citation format.

You’ll likely use the  MLA citation guide  if you’re writing papers in the humanities, such as for language arts, literary criticism, cultural studies, and more. The current edition of the MLA Handbook is the ninth because the style constantly evolves. As new technology creates new potential sources, MLA adds information to help students and researchers cite everything correctly.

The MLA Handbook has instructions on how to cite song lyrics, social media posts, and digital images, along with all of the standard research outlets. The book also gives detailed information on how to cite a research paper.

The MLA Handbook includes information about how to format your reference page. Use a 12-pt standard font like Times New Roman, so the text in italics is clearly different from the regular font. Center the title, Works Cited, at the top of the page. Your last name and page number are in the top right corner, and the reference page always comes at the end of your document.

Alphabetize citations according to the last name of the author. Left-align the citations and double-space them with no extra lines between each entry. When a citation goes beyond a single line, use a hanging indent to format it correctly. This lets the reader know it’s still the same citation continuing on.

Now that you know the basic format for the Works Cited page read on to find out how to cite a research paper for inclusion on this list.

Citing a Research Paper in MLA Style

When you’re citing a research paper in MLA style, you start with the author’s full name, putting the last name of the author first, followed by the title of the research paper in quotation marks. Next comes the the title of the journal that published the paper in italics, followed by the volume number, issue number, and date of publication.

You’ll also include the page number since the paper is in a journal with many pages. If you found the source online, include the digital object identifier or DOI. The DOI is a way to give a document a permanent web address so people reading your work can easily find the source.

MLA format also asks you to include the date you accessed online materials. Doing so gives your reader more information about when you read the research if it changed since that date. Here is an example of a research paper citation in MLA style:

Writer, Maria. “My Research Paper.” Research Journal, vol 3, no. 4, 2020, pp. 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34. Accessed 13 March 2021.

If the work wasn’t published online, you could stop your citation after the page numbers.

Sometimes you might find research papers that aren’t published in a scholarly journal. You can still use those in your work, but the MLA citation will look different. You’ll still put the last name of the author first, but instead of putting the title of the research paper in quotation marks, you’ll put it in italics.

Here is an example of an unpublished research paper citation in MLA style:

Writer, Maria. My Research Paper. 2020, http://websiteused.com . Accessed 13 March 2021.

These two examples show you how to document the source on your Works Cited page. In-text citations look different.

In-Text Citations for a Research Paper in MLA Style

When you’re working with the MLA format, an in-text reference requires a parenthetical citation.

If you refer to someone else’s research in a sentence, either with a direct quote or by paraphrasing, you need to give that author credit. At the end of the sentence where you use the information, you’ll put the author’s information in parenthesis and then put the sentence’s ending punctuation.

You use the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information for in-text citations. Then anyone reading your work can go to your Works Cited page, find the entry by the author’s last name, and access the document themselves. The page number directs them to where you got the specific information, so they don’t have to read the whole paper to find it. Here is an example of an in-text citation in MLA style:

Over 80% of the city’s garbage ended up in the ocean (Writer, 8).

You might mention the author’s name in your sentence. In that case, the parenthetical citation only needs to have the page numbers for reference. Here is an example:

According to Maria Writer, over 80% of the city’s garbage went into the ocean (8).

Researchers in the social science field, like sociology, anthropology, and psychology, use the  APA style  in their work. Like the MLA Handbook, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association has gone through changes over the years. It’s currently on the 7th edition.

In addition to helping you understand how to cite research, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association has information about how to format your paper to include tables, figures, and headings that often accompany scientific journal articles.

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association also tells you how to format your reference page. In MLA style, this is the Works Cited page. For APA style, it’s either the Reference List or Reference Page.

This page uses the same font style as the rest of the paper but starts on its own page with a number in the top right corner. The title of the page is bold and centered at the top and should simply read “References.”

List citations in alphabetical order by author’s last name regardless of the type of source. Each citation is double-spaced and has a hanging indent if it goes beyond one line.

Now that you understand how to properly format your APA reference page, learn how to cite a research paper to include on the list.

Citing a Research Paper in APA Style

When you use a research paper in your work, you need to include it on your APA references page at the end of your document.

An APA citation includes the same information as the MLA format but in a different order. The citation starts with the author’s last name but only uses their first initial. Then comes the year of publication in parenthesis.

The paper’s title follows, then the title of the journal in italics. You also include the journal volume, issue number, and page numbers. As with MLA citations, include a DOI if you found the research paper online. Here is an example of a published research paper cited in APA format:

Writer, M. (2020). My Research Paper. Research Journal, 3(4), 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34

If the paper isn’t published in a journal, you can still use it in your work with a proper citation. Here is an example:

Writer, M. (2020). My Research Paper [PDF]. Retrieved from http://websiteused.com

In-Text Citations for a Research Paper in APA Style

In-text citations in the APA format differ from MLA style. You still put it in parenthesis, but you include different information. For APA parentheticals, include the author’s last name and the paper’s year of publication. This method applies when you’re summarizing or paraphrasing the author’s idea. Here is an example of an in-text citation for a research paper in APA style:

Over 80% of the city’s garbage went into the ocean (Writer, 2020).

If you’re using a direct quote from the work you need to include the page number so the reader can find the quotation. Here is an example:

Maria Writer said, “Over 80% of the city’s garbage is going into the ocean” (2020, p. 8).

Chicago Style

Chicago Style  got its name from the University of Chicago, where the style originated. Writers use this format for works in the field of history, but you can also use it for the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

MLA style has a Works Cited page, APA has References, and Chicago Style differs because it includes a Bibliography. The page comes at the end of your work with a page number in the top right corner. The title, “Bibliography,” is bold and centered at the top.

You will single-space your citations, but you’ll add an extra line between each entry. As with the other reference pages, you’ll left-align the work and use a hanging indent when a citation continues onto a second line.

Having an overview of how to format the bibliography will help you understand the citation styles for a research paper.

Citing a Research Paper in Chicago Style

Citations in Chicago Style are a mix of MLA and APA formats. It’s easiest to follow this template:

Writer, Maria. 2020. “My Research Paper.” Research Journal 3 (4): 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34.

As with other styles, you can reference an unpublished research paper as a document. Here is an example:

Writer, Maria. 2020. My Research Paper. PDF. http://websiteused.com .

In both instances, if there are multiple authors for a paper, list the rest of the authors in normal format. For example:

Author, Alan, Stanley Sample, and Maria Writer. 2020. “My Research Paper.” Research Journal 3 (4): 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34.

In-Text Citations for a Research Paper in Chicago Style

An in-text citation in Chicago Style is much simpler than both MLA and APA formats. You only need to include the last name of the author and year of publication in parenthesis with no comma in between them. For example:

Almost 80% of the city’s garbage goes into the ocean (Writer 2020).

You’ll include the page number for specificity if you’re quoting the author. Here’s an example:

Maria Writer said, “Over 80% of the city’s garbage is going into the ocean” (2020, 8).

You can also use endnotes in Chicago Style. A citation refers the reader to your source, but an endnote includes a bit of an explanation of why you used it. The information included in an endnote would disrupt the flow of your paper, but it’s still something you want the reader to know.

Make Text Citations Easy

Knowing when you need to cite a source helps you manage your research. Anytime you find information that you’re going to paraphrase, summarize, or quote in your work, you need to cite the source. The full citation will go on your reference page, but you’ll need an in-text citation where you use the information in your paper.

When you’re stating something that is  common knowledge , there’s no need to make a citation. Common knowledge is something that your reader would believe without needing proof. You can check if something is common knowledge by searching for it and finding it mentioned, without a citation, in at least five sources.

Once you learn the basics about citing a research paper in MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles, you’ll feel more confident in your work. The important thing is to pay attention to small details, like capitalization, italics and the use of abbreviations. But there’s no need to do it all on your own—Quetext has a  citation assistant  waiting to help. Give Quetext citation generator a try on your next project.

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Chicago Style Guide, for 17th Edition

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About This Guide

Introduction

The 'Chicago Style' utilizes two systems of source documentation in each document: The first system uses page notes, called  footnotes or endnotes , as well as a  bibliography page . The second system is called  author-date and is similar in layout to APA. Author-date  is also paired with a bibliography .

Both  footnote/endnote  and  author-date  style have their own unique set of rules and should not be used at the same time.

Use the navigation tabs to learn more about each system of citation as well as the other aspects of writing within the Chicago style, such as how write your bibliography , and how to  format your paper .

NoodleTools

NoodleTools  helps you write citations in MLA, APA, or Chicago format, and create annotated bibliographies. It also has tools to create notecards, draft an outline of your paper and keep track of "To Do" tasks. Citations can be exported directly to your Google Drive, or to Word or other formats.

How to Set-up and Use NoodleTools

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Chicago Style

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From the Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide :

Chicago style source citations come in two varieties: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date.

  • The notes and bibliography system is preferred by many working in the humanities—including literature, history, and the arts. In this system, sources are cited in numbered footnotes or endnotes.
  • The author-date system is more common in the sciences and social sciences. In this system, sources are briefly cited in the text, usually in parentheses, by author’s last name and year of publication.

If you know you need to use Chicago style but are unsure what variation to use, ask your professor, or talk with a librarian .

Note that Chicago Style and Turabian style are nearly identical. The Turabian style manual was created to be a pared down version of the Chicago style manual for students. 

Chicago Manual of Style Online

CMOS Icon

This resource, updated to reflect the Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.), offers examples of common citations in both style variations. Check here for help citing more resources or make an appointment with an Oxford librarian!

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Icons are from the Noun Project and under Creative Commons licence (CCBY): books by sandra , article by Arfan Khan Kamol , website by Julynn B, link by Nathan Diesel, Video by Aybige, Audio by Manasa, Image by Mohammad Iqbal, hashtag by Gregor Cresnar.

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Some example citations are below, from the Chicago Manual of Style Online . As it is the more commonly used format, we have given examples here in the Notes and Bibliography variation. Please visit the Chicago Manual of Style's page on Author-Date for examples in that format!

How To Cite...

1. Zadie Smith, Swing Time   (New York: Penguin Press, 2016), 315–16.

Bibliography

Smith, Zadie. Swing Time . New York: Penguin Press, 2016.

2. Brian Grazer and Charles Fishman, A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2015), 12.

Grazer, Brian, and Charles Fishman. A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life . New York: Simon & Schuster, 2015.

3. Henry David Thoreau, “Walking,” in The Making of the American Essay , ed. John D’Agata (Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2016), 177–78.

Thoreau, Henry David. “Walking.” In The Making of the American Essay , edited by John D’Agata, 167–95. Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2016.

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From the Chicago Manual of Style Online :

If there are four or more authors, list up to ten in the bibliography; in a note, list only the first, followed by et al . (“and others”).

1. Rebecca Mead, “The Prophet of Dystopia,” New Yorker , April 17, 2017, 43.

2. Farhad Manjoo, “Snap Makes a Bet on the Cultural Supremacy of the Camera,” New York Times , March 8, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/technology/snap-makes-a-bet-on-the-cultural-supremacy-of-the-camera.html.

Manjoo, Farhad. “Snap Makes a Bet on the Cultural Supremacy of the Camera.” New York Times , March 8, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/technology/snap-makes-a-bet-on-the-cultural-supremacy-of-the-camera.html.

Mead, Rebecca. “The Prophet of Dystopia.” New Yorker , April 17, 2017.

1. Susan Satterfield, “Livy and the Pax Deum ,” Classical Philology 111, no. 2 (April 2016): 170.

Satterfield, Susan. “Livy and the Pax Deum .” Classical Philology 111, no. 2 (April 2016): 165–76.

From an Online Database

2. Shao-Hsun Keng, Chun-Hung Lin, and Peter F. Orazem, “Expanding College Access in Taiwan, 1978–2014: Effects on Graduate Quality and Income Inequality,” Journal of Human Capital 11, no. 1 (Spring 2017): 9–10, https://doi.org/10.1086/690235.

Keng, Shao-Hsun, Chun-Hung Lin, and Peter F. Orazem. “Expanding College Access in Taiwan, 1978–2014: Effects on Graduate Quality and Income Inequality.” Journal of Human Capital 11, no. 1 (Spring 2017): 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1086/690235.

1. Michiko Kakutani, “Friendship Takes a Path That Diverges,” review of Swing Time , by Zadie Smith, New York Times , November 7, 2016.

Kakutani, Michiko. “Friendship Takes a Path That Diverges.” Review of Swing Time , by Zadie Smith. New York Times , November 7, 2016.

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Some example citations are below, from the Chicago Manual of Style Online . As it is the more commonly used format, we have given examples here in the Notes and Bibliography variation. Please visit the Chicago Manual of Style's page on Author-Date for examples in that format!           

Please note that in Chicago Style, the URL of an online resource is always included.

1. “Privacy Policy,” Privacy & Terms, Google, last modified April 17, 2017, https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.

2. “About Yale: Yale Facts,” Yale University, accessed May 1, 2017, https://www.yale.edu/about-yale/yale-facts.

Google. “Privacy Policy.” Privacy & Terms. Last modified April 17, 2017. https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.

Yale University. “About Yale: Yale Facts.” Accessed May 1, 2017. https://www.yale.edu/about-yale/yale-facts.

1. “Libraries = Strong Communities: Celebrating National Library Week,” Oxford College Library, accessed July 25, 2019, https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/oxford/events/libraries-strong-communities-celebrating-national-library-week/.

Oxford College Library. “ Libraries = Strong Communities: Celebrating National Library Week .” Accessed July 25, 2019. https:// scholarblogs.emory.edu/oxford/events/libraries-strong-communities-celebrating-national-library-week/ .

Digital Resources

Citing personal photos, digital files, or other electronic resources can be confusing. The important thing to remember is that everything you use for academic or professional work, even if you made it yourself , does need to be cited - every time! Click on the tabs above to see some commonly cited items in each style. Remember to follow the indentation guidelines of your chosen style.

Some URL Notes from Purdue OWL :

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  • Many scholarly journal articles found in databases include a DOI (digital object identifier). If a DOI is available, cite the DOI number instead of the URL.
  • Online newspapers and magazines sometimes include a permalink , which is a shortened, stable version of a URL. Look for a “share” or “cite this” button to see if a source includes a permalink. If you can find a permalink, use that instead of a URL.

If you have a question or need to cite something not listed here, schedule a consultation with a librarian!

Some of the examples used here are from the Purdue OWL guide to Chicago Style. As it is the more commonly used format, we have given examples here in the Notes and Bibliography variation. Please visit the Chicago Manual of Style's page on Author-Date for examples in that format!

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1. Alejandra Ortega, “Grammar: Active and Passive Voice,” Purdue OWL, February 1, 2019, video, 4:22, http://youtu.be/GEP-8lFTKKg.

Ortega, Alejandra. “Grammar: Active and Passive Voice.” Purdue OWL. February 1, 2019. Video, 4:22. http://youtu.be/GEP-8lFTKKg.

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1. Jeremy Zuckerman, "To Heal," 2015, Soundcloud, https://soundcloud.com/jeremy-zuckerman/to-heal?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing.

2. Ray Charles, vocalist, “Georgia on My Mind,” by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, recorded March 1960, track 2 on The Genius Hits the Road , ABC-Paramount, vinyl LP.

Charles, Ray. “Georgia on My Mind.” By Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell. Recorded March 1960. Track 2 on  The Genius Hits the Road . ABC-Paramount, vinyl LP.

Zuckerman, Jeremy. To Heal . Soundcloud. Audio file.

Podcast - Note/Bibliography

1. Sean Cole and Ira Glass, “622: Who You Gonna Call?,” August 4, 2017, in This American Life , produced by WBEZ, podcast, MP3 audio, 1:00:27, https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/622/who-you-gonna-call.

Cole, Sean and Ira Glass. “622: Who You Gonna Call?.” Produced by WBEZ. This American Life. August 4, 2017. Podcast, MP3 audio, 1:00:27. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/622/who-you-gonna-call.

In Chicago style, information about art pieces is usually given in the text, not the bibliography. If an entry is needed, use these guidelines.

Photo Icon

Remember to get the permission of all the people in the photo (or their guardians, if minors) before you use it in your work! For your own photographs, it is sufficient to give just a credit line/ caption below the image. Example caption:

Figure 1. Christopher Garofalo, CSCE contributor gift table , April 12, 2019, SmugMug . www.christophervisuals.com/OxfordCollege/CSCE/i-wP8vMbB/A.

Online Photo or Image - Note /Bibliography

If the work is posted via a username, use that username for the author.

1. Maynard Owen Williams, "An Ouled Nail woman in Algeria wears a tattoo that is customary for dancers, 1949 ," NatGeoFound , March 10, 2016. https://natgeofound.tumblr.com/post/140802561912/an-ouled-nail-woman-in-algeria-wears-a-tattoo-that.

Williams, Maynard Owen. "An Ouled Nail woman in Algeria wears a tattoo that is customary for dancers, 1949 ." NatGeoFound. March 10, 2016. https://natgeofound.tumblr.com/post/140802561912/an-ouled-nail-woman-in-algeria-wears-a-tattoo-that.

Posts on social media will often be cited only as notes, though if you intend to discuss the content in depth, you should also put a citation in the bibliography. The Chicago Manual of Style recommends taking a screenshot of social media posts as they may be edited or deleted in the future.

Hashtag Icon

Conan O’Brien’s tweet was characteristically deadpan: “In honor of Earth Day, I’m recycling my tweets” (@ConanOBrien, April 22, 2015).

Example - Note/Bibliography

2. Bill Nye (@BillNye), “While I’m not much for skipping school, I sure am in favor of calling attention to the seriousness of climate change. Our students can see the problem…,” Twitter, March 14, 2019, https://twitter.com/BillNye/status/1106242216123486209.

Nye, Bill (@BillNye). “While I’m not much for skipping school, I sure am in favor of calling attention to the seriousness of climate change. Our students can see the problem….” Twitter, March 14, 2019. https://twitter.com/BillNye/status/1106242216123486209.

*Figures cited in-text must be both captioned and cited in the bibliography.

In-text citation:

Photographs and Online Images Caption:

* Captions can be short incomplete sentences or more formal description of the work providing explanatory information about the image. This then must be followed by a credit line for the image.   A caption can just be the credit line. Credit line will vary based on the copyright of the item. Below are examples for how to cite items used without restrictions. 

Fig. X.  Description of work, (type of item) courtesy of Creator Name, source of item. 

Fig. 5. Atlanta Streetcar. (Photograph courtesy by Lauren Holley. Flickr. 2014. flickr.com/photos/atlantadowntown/16106577510/. CC BY 2.0)

Artwork Captions: 

Fig. X. Artist’s name (last name, first name),  Title , Date, Medium and support. Source. (Copyright Information).

Fig. 3.  Cézanne, Paul,   Still Life with Apples and a Pot of Primroses,  1890, Oil on canvas, 28 3/4 x 36 3/8 in. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435882.  (Public Domain).

Note: 

#. Author Name  Title , Date, Medium and support, Source, URL. 

1.  Paul  Cézanne,   Still Life with Apples and a Pot of Primroses,  1890, Oil on canvas, 28 3/4 x 36 3/8 in., New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435882.  

Bibliography:

Artist’s name (last name, first name).  Title.  Date. Medium and support. Source. the location of the work. URL. 

Cézanne, Paul.   Still Life with Apples and a Pot of Primroses.  1890, Oil on canvas, 28 3/4 x 36 3/8 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435882.  

Chicago style source citations come in two varieties: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date. Always check with your professor or a librarian about which style to use. 

Note-Bibliography:

In note-bibliography style you are using footnotes for in-text citation. This means in your text, you have a note number superscripted at the end of the clause or sentence you are citing. Then you have a corresponding full-sized number followed by a period in your footer that lists the full note for the source.

The full note needs to correspond to a source listed in your bibliography. Full notes, while providing the same information as a citation in your bibliography, have different formatting. Be aware of these differences when creating your notes and bibliography. 

After you cite the source for the first time in the subsequent citations of the source you can use a shortened version of the citation. That is just the author’s last name, a shortened title, and page number. Make sure to include enough of the title that readers can recognize the source.  

Most word processors will insert footnotes into your work for you and keep track of the order. You will just need to supply the citation. Zotero also can insert footnotes - make sure to select Chicago full note when setting up your document preferences.  

Author-date:

Chicago’s parenthetical citations include the author's last name, the date, and a page number. Note that you do not put a comma between the author's last name and the date in Chicago style parenthetical citations. 

To cite more than one source put a semicolon between the two sources' citations.

For more information about Chicago, see the Purdue OWL page about in-text citation .

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Research 101: Library Research Basics

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What is Chicago Style?

Chicago style resources, citing your sources in chicago style, microsoft word templates, chicago style manuals in the library.

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  • It is a documentation style for writing and formatting research papers, including citing sources.
  • Commonly used for humanities, including history, literature, and art
  • Commonly used for science and social sciences
  • Also known as Turabian Style which was named after Kate Turabian who wrote a research paper manual based on the Chicago Style that is geared towards students
  • The Turabian Style contains comprehensive rules and examples for citing
  • Excelsior OWL: Chicago Guide Excelsior's Online Writing Lab gives details on how to cite a variety of sources and how to format your research papers.
  • Western Oregon University Chicago Style Guide Another detailed step-by-step guide to building both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date style citations and formatting your paper according to Chicago Style guidelines
  • ZoteroBib ZoteroBib is a free service that helps you quickly create a bibliography in any citation style.

Notes-Bibliography System   (Humanities)

Use a footnote or endnote to acknowledge that you are quoting or paraphrasing another author's words or ideas in the text of your research paper.

Place a super-text number at the end of a quote or paraphrased section.* Citation numbers should appear in sequential order.

Create a footnote at the bottom of the page. ( See the Microsoft Word Template section below for directions on how to do this in your paper.)

The first footnote for a source contains the author, title, publication information, and page number(s). The remaining footnotes (shortened notes) for the same source contain only the author, title, and page number(s).

  • Here are some examples .

Author-Date System   (Sciences)

Use an in-text citation to acknowledge that you are quoting or paraphrasing another author's words or ideas in the text of your research paper.

The in-text citation appears in parentheses and includes (Author's Last Name(s) Year of Publication, Page Numbers)

Bibliography (Required for both systems above!)

  • Include a reference list at the end of your paper. The list should begin on a new page and contain a full citation for each in-text citation referenced within your paper.
  • Leave two blank lines between your bibliography title and the first citation.
  • Citations should be single-spaced with a hanging indent. Leave one blank line between each citation.
  • Each full citation should include the specific publication information required by Chicago rules. This allows your reader to find the sources, if desired.
  • Arrange the citations alphabetically by the first word in each entry. This is usually the author's last name but may be the title if the source has no author.
  • The way a bibliographic entry is structured will be the same regardless of which in-text citation style you use, with one exception: if you used author-date as your in-text citation style, you will place the publication date immediately after the author section, as opposed to at/near the end. This makes it easier for readers to find the appropriate citation in your reference list.
  • Learn more about the Chicago style bibliography .

Microsoft Word Tips for Chicago Style

  • When you open a new Microsoft Word document to start your paper, click on the References Tab, go to the Citations and Bibliography box, and in the Style box choose Chicago.
  • When you need to insert a Footnote, click on the References Tab, go to the Footnotes box, and click on Insert Footnote.
  • When you need to insert an In-text citation click on the Reference Tab, go to the Citations and Bibliography box, and click on Insert Citation.

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Notes & Bibliography or Author/Date?

The Chicago manual of style includes two systems of citation: the Notes and Bibliography system and the Author/Date system. Both serve the same purpose of citing the sources referenced within an academic/professional text, but through different means. Though both are equally valid methods of citing your sources, the Notes and Bibliography system is the most commonly used within Chicago style. Known also as "the footnote style," the Notes and Bibliography style is the one most professors mean when they ask for a paper to be written using Chicago style.

If your professor is not specific about which Chicago citation system they prefer,  do not assume  that this means you can choose between the two. If they do not clarify, they are most likely referring to the Notes and Bibliography system, as that is far and away the most common version to use. But as with all things academia: When in doubt, Ask!

  • Notes and Bibliography System
  • Author/Date System

Chicago Sample Paper - Notes and Bibliography System

The Notes and Bibliography System is the most widely known and used version of citing sources in Chicago style. This is the preferred system within Chicago system for most professors at the University of Mary.

The following PDF provides a sample paper written in the Chicago style using the Notes and Bibliography System to demonstrate visually how the guidelines work in action. This PDF is used with thanks and full credit to the  Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) , which maintains a robust online guide to applying a variety of style guides, avoiding plagiarism, and writing at the academic level in general. They are strongly recommended as a resource if you need something more in depth than this guide provides.

"CMOS NB Sample Paper."  CMOS NB Sample Paper - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University , Purdue OWL / Purdue University, 7 Nov. 2019, owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatting_and_style_guide/cmos_nb_sample_paper.html. Accessed on 2 Feb. 2024.

Chicago Sample Paper - Author/Date System

The Author/Date system of Chicago style is a unique system of citation and formatting that is largely recognized by its in-text, parenthetical citations (visually, it is very similar to MLA style). Typically, this system is not used much at the University of Mary, so check with your professors before using it in any class.

Though you may not find that you use it much at UMary, we have included the following PDF provides a sample paper written using the Author/Date System to demonstrate visually how the guidelines work in action. This PDF is used with thanks and full credit to the  Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) , which maintains a robust online guide to applying a variety of style guides, avoiding plagiarism, and writing at the academic level in general. They are strongly recommended as a resource if you need something more in depth than this guide provides.

"CMOS Author Date Sample Paper."  CMOS Author Date Sample Paper - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University , Purdue OWL / Purdue University, 16 Feb. 2018, owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatting_and_style_guide/cmos_nb_sample_paper.html. Accessed on 2 Feb. 2024.

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General Guidelines for Public and Unpublished Materials

Notes and bibliographic entries for public documents, like other documents, should include the elements needed to locate the items. These essential elements often include the following:

  • Country, city, state, province, county, etc.
  • Legislative body, executive department, court, bureau, board commission or committee, etc.
  • Subsidiary divisions
  • Title, if any, of the document or collection
  • Individual author (editor or compiler), if given
  • Report number or any other identification necessary or useful in finding the specific document
  • Publisher, if different from issuing body

Footnote or Endnote (N):

1. Firstname Lastname, “Title of Document” (source type identifier, Place of Publication, year of publication), page number(s).

Corresponding Bibliographic Entry (B):

Legal Materials and Government Documents

Legal materials and other government documents should be cited using footnotes, endnotes, and/or citation sentences (with clauses including the same information required in a footnote). Print copies of the sources tend to be preferred to digital, though verified digital sources are acceptable.

When writing for law journals or other legal publications, these sources are not usually required to be cited in a bibliography or on a references page. Citation sentences alone are an acceptable form of citation, so long as the document has only a few legal citations (for more information, see The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed., sections 14.269-305 and 15.58.)

Court Decisions and Cases

Notes for court cases should include case name, number, volume number, abbreviated name(s) of reporter, and, in parentheses, the abbreviated name of the court and the date. Case names written in full are typeset in roman, while in subsequent shortened citations the short form of the case name is italicized. Citations are assumed to refer to decisions as a whole unless a particular page is cited using “at” (see example 3 below). The CMOS offers the following note examples in section 14.276:

United States v. Christmas, 222 F.3d 141, 145 (4th Cir. 2000).

Profit Sharing Plan v. Mbank Dallas, N.A., 683 F. Supp. 592 (N.D. Tex. 1988).

Christmas, 222 F.3d at 145. The court also noted that under United States v. Sokolow, 490 U.S. 1, 7 (1989), police may briefly detain a person without probable cause if the officer believes criminal activity “may be afoot.” Christmas, 222 F.3d at 143; see also Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).

Theses and Dissertations

Thesis and dissertation titles appear in quotation marks, not in italics, but are cited in all other ways like books. Include name, title, type of document, academic institution, and date, in that order. If the item was found online, include a URL or DOI (see guidelines for citing online sources ).

1. Tara Hostetler, “Bodies at War: Bacteriology and the Carrier Narratives of ‘Typhoid Mary’” (master’s thesis, Florida State University, 2007), 15-16.

Hostetler, Tara. "Bodies at War: Bacteriology and the Carrier Narratives of ‘Typhoid Mary.’” Master’s thesis, Florida State University, 2007.

Letters and Unpublished Manuscripts

Letters and unpublished materials that have not been archived may be cited like other unpublished material, with information on location replaced by wording such as “private collection of Trinity Overmyer” or “in the author’s possession.” The location is not mentioned.

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The ultimate guide to citing anything in chicago style, everything you ever needed to know about citing sources from the chicago manual of style, the basics of citing in chicago style.

The Chicago Manual of Style, currently in its 16th edition, was created to help researchers properly cite their sources. There are two types of referencing styles in Chicago: 1) Notes and Bibliography and 2) Author-Date.

This guide displays the Notes and Bibliography style of referencing and is not associated with the official publishers of the style.

Need help with other styles? Our thorough MLA format and APA format guides are available for all of your writing and citing needs!

Creating a Bibliography in Chicago Style

The bibliography is a list of all the sources used in the paper. The list includes the important publication details of the sources. The bibliography must also follow this format:

  • The citation list or bibliography must be single spaced.
  • The last names of the authors must be arranged alphabetically.
  • The second line of the source must be indented.

Examples of Citing Different Sources in Chicago Style

Generally, Chicago citations require:

  • Title of book/article
  • Title of newspaper/journal
  • Publication year
  • Publication month and date
  • City of publication
  • Date of access
  • Page numbers
  • URL or Name of Database

How to Create Footnotes and Endnotes for Chicago Style

If you’re wondering how to format Chicago in-text citations, Notes and Bibliography formatting requires writers to use footnotes and endnotes. These footnotes and endnotes acknowledge the different sources used in the work.

When a source is used in a research paper, a roman numeral is placed at the end of the borrowed information as superscript (it is smaller than the normal line of text and raised). That number correlates with a footnote or endnote.

  • Footnotes are found at the bottom of the page
  • Endnotes are added at the end of the chapter or project
  • A footnote or endnote contains the complete citation information
  • The matching number in the footnote or endnote is normal sized and not raised
  • It is up to the discretion of the writer to either place the citation at the bottom of the page where the superscript is placed (a footnote) or to place all citations together at the end of the work (endnotes)
One would wonder, "Would young Einstein be characterized as belonging somewhere on the autism spectrum? Would Erdos have been given a diagnosis of A.D.H.D.?" ¹

Chicago style footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page:

  • Silver, Nate. "Beautiful Minds." The New York Times. July 13, 2013. Accessed August 04, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/books/review/the-boy-who-loved-math-and-on-a-beam-of-light.html?ref=books&_r=0 .

If a source is used more than once in a research project, follow these guidelines:

  • When used again, instead of writing out the complete citation for a second time in the footnote, only include: the author’s last name, the title or a phrase for the title (if it’s more than four words), and the page number(s) that were used. This will reduce the bulk of citation information in the paper.
  • Cohen, Micah, "Rubio is Losing Support Among Republican Voters." FiveThirtyEight. July 09, 2013. Accessed August 04, 2015. http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/rubio-is-losing-support-among-republican-voters/
  • Wolf, Leon H. "Marco Rubio's Campaign Must Adapt or Die." RedState. August 04, 2015. Accessed August 04, 2015. http://www.redstate.com/2015/08/04/marco-rubios-campaign-must-adapt-die/ .
  • Cohen, "Rubio Losing Support"

If a source is used consecutively, follow these guidelines for shortened citation and ibid :

If you are citing the same source continually throughout your text, use a shortened version of the full citation in your footnotes.

Previous versions of the style used the abbreviation “ibid,” short for “ibidem.” Ibidem is a Latin word that means “in the same place.” It was used when referring to a source that was just cited within a document (without other sources in between). Writers would use ibid instead of writing out the source information again. This was meant to save space since it’s fewer characters than citing the source again.

In the current version of Chicago, the 17th version, ibid is accepted but not preferred. This is because ibid requires readers to go back and search for the previous source cited, an inconvenience which outweighs the benefits of shortening the citation. Also, shortened citations are compact, so using ibid doesn’t always save line space.

Shortened citations

The first mention of a source should include all relevant information (e.g., full author name(s), full title, publisher, date published, etc.).

Subsequent mentions should be a shortened version using this formula:

Last Name, Title of the Work , page number(s).

Mentions after the shortened form can use the abbreviated formula:

Last Name, page number(s).

If there are two or three authors, list their full names in the order they appear in the source. If there are more than three authors, list the first author’s name followed by “et al.”

Examples of using shortened citations (preferred format in the 17th Edition):

  • Philip R. Cateora et al., International Marketing (New York: McGraw Hill, 2020), 292-294.
  • Cateora et al., International Marketing , 28-29.
  • Cateora et al., 28-29.
  • Cateora et al., 377.

Long titles that are more than four words are usually shortened. Focus on keeping key words from the title and omitting any beginning “a” or “the.” Examples:

  • And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street = Mulberry Street
  • Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe = Fried Green Tomatoes

If you are using the discontinued ibid notation, here are a few guidelines:

  • When the same source is used consecutively, instead of typing in the citation information again, use the abbreviation “ibid.” Add the page numbers immediately following.
  • If the same source AND same page number are used consecutively, simply write “Ibid.”

Same example above, but using ibid:

  • Philip R. Cateora et al, International Marketing (New York: McGraw Hill, 2020), 292-294.

Another example with two sources that were mentioned earlier in the text:

  • Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See (New York: Scribner, 2014), 82-84.
  • Tatiana de Rosnay, Sarah's Key (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2007), 24-27.
  • Ibid., 133-134.
  • Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See , 397-401.
  • Ibid., 405.
  • Ibid., 411.

For further clarification on the Chicago in-text citation style of footnotes and endnotes, consult the Chicago Manual of Style's website . This site is full of helpful pages, so if you’re tempted to head to Google to type in, “in-text citations Chicago,” take a peek at the official site first.

Creating Your Citations in Chicago Style

As mentioned, when you're following The Chicago Manual of Style, you'll be required to create a list of all sources used in your paper. Even though full bibliographic information can be found in the footnotes and endnotes, it is still acceptable, and often required by instructors, to create a bibliography. The bibliography is placed at the end of an assignment.

How to Cite a Print Book in Chicago Style

In the footnotes and endnotes:

First name Last name, Title of Book (Publication Place: Publisher, Year), page range.

In the bibliography:

Last name, First name. Title of book . Publication Place: Publisher, Year.

Example of Chicago Style for Books with One Author

Sam Staggs, Born to Be Hurt: The Untold Story of Imitation of Life (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2009), 84.

Staggs, Sam. Born to Be Hurt: The Untold Story of Imitation of Life. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2009.

Don’t forget, Citation Machine allows you to generate Chicago citations for books quickly and accurately.

Example of Chicago Citation for Books with Multiple Authors

Ella Shohat and Robert Stam, Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media (London: Routledge,1994) 24-28.

Shohat, Ella, and Robert Stam. Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media . London: Routledge, 1994.

How to Cite Chapters or Articles from a Book in Chicago Style

First name, Last name of Chapter Author, “Chapter or Article Title,” in Book Title , ed. First Name Last Name of Editor (Publication Place: Publisher, Year), page range.

Last name, First name. "Chapter Title." In Book Title , edited by First Name Last Name, page range. Publication Place: Publisher, Year.

Looking for a simple and easy-to-use Chicago citation maker? Head to our homepage and start building your Chicago format references with ease!

Example of Chicago Citation for Chapters in a Book

Laura Aymerich-Franch and Maddalena Fedele, "Student's Privacy Concerns on the Use of Social Media in Higher Education," in Cutting-Edge Technologies and Social Media Use in Higher Education, ed. Vledlena Benson and Stephanie Morgan (Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference, 2014), 35-36.

Aymerich-Franch, Laura, and Maddalena Fedele. "Student's Privacy Concerns on the Use of Social Media in Higher Education." In Cutting-Edge Technologies and Social Media Use in Higher Education, edited by Vledlena Benson and Stephanie Morgan, 35-36. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference, 2014.

How to Cite Online E-books in Chicago Style

When citing e-books, include the URL or the name of the database. The URL or database name should be the last part of the citation.

First name Last name, Title of e-book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page range, URL, Database Name.

Last name, First name. Title of Book. Publication Place: Publisher, Year. URL, Name of Database.

Example of Chicago Citation for E-Books

Michael J. Baker, The Marketing Book (Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2002), 89, https://htbiblio.yolasite.com/resources/Marketing%20Book.pdf .

Baker, Michael J. The Marketing Book. Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2002. https://htbiblio.yolasite.com/resources/Marketing%20Book.pdf .

If you understand how to structure your references easily, thanks to this thorough guide, and are looking for help with the written portion of your paper, look no further! There are tons of Citation Machine grammar guides to help you write with ease. Here’s just one of our many useful pages: Positive & Negative Adjectives .

How to Cite E-books in Chicago Style E-books from a Kindle or E-book Reader

If there aren’t any clearly labeled page numbers, use chapter numbers or titles, section numbers or titles, or any other established numbering system in the text. It’s also acceptable to omit page information from Chicago style citations if there aren’t clearly labeled page numbers.

First name Last name, Title of the Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page range, Type of E-reader

Last name, First name. Title of book . Publication Place: Publisher, Year. Type of e-reader.

Example of Chicago Citation for Kindle or E-book Reader

Corina Bomann, The Moonlight Garden (Washington: AmazonCrossing, 2016), chap. 8, Kindle.

Bomann, Corina. The Moonlight Garden . Washington: AmazonCrossing, 2016. Kindle.

How to Cite Print Journals in Chicago Style

First name Last name, "Title of Article," Journal Title Volume Number, No. of issue (Year): Page range.

Chicago style citation in the bibliography:

Last name, First name. "Title of Article," Journal Title Volume Number, No. of issue (Year): Page range.

Example of Chicago Citation for Print Journals

Damien O'Brien and Brian Fitzgerald, "Digital Copyright Law in a YouTube World," Internet Law Bulletin 9, no. 6 (2007): 71-74.

O'Brien, Damien, and Brian Fitzgerald, "Digital Copyright Law in a YouTube World." Internet Law Bulletin 9, no. 6 (2007): 71-74.

If you’re come this far and you’re still searching for in-text citation Chicago information, remember, this style uses footnotes and endnotes! Scroll up to find out more!

How to Cite Online or Database Journals in Chicago Style

First name Last name, "Article Title," Journal Title Volume Number, Issue No.(Year): Page range. URL or Name of Database.

Last name, First name. "Article Title." Journal Title Volume Number, Issue No. (Year): Page range. URL or Name of Database.

Example of Chicago Citation for Online or Database Journals

Trine Schreiber, "Conceptualizing Students’ Written Assignments in the Context of Information Literacy and Schatzki’s Practice Theory," Journal of Documentation 70, no. 3 (2014): 346-363. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-01-2013-0002 .

Schreiber, Trine. "Conceptualizing Students’ Written Assignments in the Context of Information Literacy and Schatzki’s Practice Theory." Journal of Documentation 70, no. 3 (2014): 346-363. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-01-2013-0002 .

Our Citation Machine Chicago citation generator helps you create your references in just a few clicks. Give it a whirl and watch the magic unfold!

How to Cite Print Magazines in Chicago Style

First name Last name, "Article Title," Magazine Title, Full Date, page range.

Last name, First name. "Article Title." Magazine Title, Full Date.

Example of Chicago Citation for Print Magazines

George J. Church, "Sunny Mood at Midsummer: Americans Take a Brighter View of Reagan," _Time, July 18, 1983, 56-59.

Church, George J. "Sunny Mood at Midsummer: Americans Take a Brighter View of Reagan" Time, July 18, 1983.

How to Cite Online Magazines in Chicago Style

First name, Last name, "Article Title," Title of Magazine, Full Date, URL.

Chicago style bibliography structure:

Last name, First name. "Article Title" Magazine Title, Full Date, URL.

Example of Chicago Citation for Online Magazines

Bill Donahue. “King of the Mountains,” Backpacker, September/October 2019, 76-82, http://backpacker.eoncontent.ebscohost.com/2226647#&pageSet=39

Donahue, Bill. “King of the Mountains.” Backpacker, September/October 2019. http://backpacker.eoncontent.ebscohost.com/2226647#&pageSet=39

How to Cite a Web Page in Chicago Style

Creating a footnote, endnote, or bibliographic information for web content isn’t always necessary. It’s acceptable to simply mention the source in the written portion of the paper. For example, “The Marco Polo page on History’s website, last updated on March 6, 2019, describes his travels along the Silk Road while....” Include formal Chicago citation style references if you or your professor prefers to do so.

A bit more:

  • If the website page is missing a date of publication, include the date the source was last modified or accessed in the footnote and endnote.
  • If the website page is missing the name of the author, begin the footnote with the “Title of the Article or Page.”
First name Last name of Author, "Title of Article or Page," Title of Website, Date published or last modified or accessed, URL.

Last name, First name or Organization Name. "Title of Article or Page." Title of Website. Date published or last modified or accessed. URL.

Figuring out how to style web references can be tricky, but thanks to our Chicago citation machine, we’ve made the whole process much easier for you. Try it out!

Example of Chicago Citation for a Web Page

Sujan Patel, "15 Must-have Marketing Tools for 2015," Entrepreneur, January 12, 2015. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241570 .

Patel, Sujan. “15 Must-have Marketing Tools for 2015.” Entrepreneur. January 12, 2015. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241570 .

Don’t forget, Citation Machine allows you to generate Chicago citations for websites quickly and accurately.

How to Cite The Bible or Religious Texts in Chicago Style

Bible references are often displayed in the text of a paper (similar to web content) or in footnotes and endnotes. Formal bible references in bibliographies are not necessary.

Abbreviated Title of Book, Chapter:Verse (Edition).

Example of Chicago Citation for Bible

2 Cor. 11:7 (New Standard Version).

If you’re looking for other resources to help you with the written portion of your paper, we have quite a few handy grammar guides. Two of our favorites? Adjectives starting with X and List of verbs .

How to Cite Blogs in Chicago Style

*According to the 17th edition of the manual, blogs are not typically cited in bibliographies. They are generally cited in the footnotes/endnotes section. Of course, if the writer or professor prefers a full bibliographic reference, one can be created.

Style notes and bibliographic references the same way as you would an online newspaper, but include (blog) in parentheses immediately following the title of the blog.

First name Last name, "Title of Blog Post," Title of Blog (blog), Title of Larger Blog, if part of a larger one, Month Day Year of post, URL.

Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Blog." Name of Blog Site (blog). Title of Larger Blog, if part of a larger one, Month Day Year of post. URL.

Example of Chicago Citation for Blogs

Shannon Miller, "Valentine Ideas Using Digital Tools, Hands, Creativity, and a Little Love for Padlet," The Library Voice (blog), January 20, 2016, http://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/2016/01/valentine-ideas-using-digital-tools.html .

Miller, Shannon. "Valentine Ideas Using Digital Tools, Hands, Creativity, and a Little Love for Padlet." The Library Voice, January 20, 2016. http://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/2016/01/valentine-ideas-using-digital-tools.html .

Chicago style bibliographies aren’t as complicated as they seem, especially when you have a generator to do the work for you. Head to our homepage and try ours out!

How to Cite TV Broadcasts in Chicago Style

Title of Series , episode number, “Title of Episode,” directed by First Name Last Name, written by First Name Last Name, featuring First Names Last Names of actors, aired Month Day, Year, on Station Name, URL.

Last Name, First Name, dir. Title of Series . Season Number, episode number, “Title of Episode.” Aired Month Day, Year, on Station Name. URL.

Example of Chicago Citation for Broadcasts

Riverdale , episode 15, “American Dreams,” directed by Gabriel Correra, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, featuring KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, and Cole Sprouse, aired March 13, 2019, on CW.

Bibliography Chicago style:

Correra, Gabriel, dir. Riverdale . Season 3, episode 15, “American Dreams.” Aired March 13, 2019, on CW.

How to Cite a Case Study in Chicago Style

First name Last name. Title of Case Study. (Publication Place: Publisher, Year).

Last name, First name. Title of Case Study.

Example of Chicago Citation for Case Study

Peter Finn. Disulfiram.

Finn, Peter. Disulfiram.

How to Cite Conference Proceedings in Chicago Style

First Name Last Name, “Title of Conference Paper” (format, Title of Conference, Location, Full Date).

Last name, First name. “Title of Conference Paper.” Format presented at Title of Conference, Location, Date. URL.

Example of Chicago Citation for Conference Paper

Craig Myerson, “Historical Markings in New Castle, Delaware” (Power-Point presentation, The University of Delaware, Newark, DE, June 18, 2019.

Myerson, Craig. “Historical Markings in New Castle, Delaware.” Power-point presentation presented at The University of Delaware, Newark, DE, June 18, 2019.

How to Cite Court or Legal Cases in Chicago Style

The 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style recommends referring to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation , or the ALWD Guide to Legal Citation to learn how to create court or legal references. Both guides are widely used by those in legal fields and have become the standard for referencing legal cases.

The examples below reflect the format found in The Bluebook .

Legal cases are rarely documented in bibliographies, usually only in notes.

Plaintiff v. Defendant, Court Case Number (Abbreviated Name of the Court. Year).

Example of Chicago Citation for Legal Cases

Michael Clum v. Jackson National Life Insurance Co., 10-000126-CL (Ingham Cty. 2011).

How to Cite Dictionary and Encyclopedia Entries in Chicago Style

According to The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, well-known reference books, including major dictionaries and encyclopedias, are normally cited in notes rather than bibliographies. Lesser known reference books can be cited in the bibliography.

The abbreviation "s.v." means sub verbo , which is Latin for "under the word."

Chicago style formatting in the footnotes and endnotes:

Name of dictionary or encyclopedia , Numbered ed. (Year), s.v. “term.”

If found online:

Name of dictionary or encyclopedia , s.v. "term," accessed Month Day Year, url.

Last name, First name of Author. Title of Dictionary or Encyclopedia . Numbered ed. Location of Publisher: Publisher, Year.

Example of Chicago Citation for Dictionary and Encyclopedia Entries

Encyclopedia Britannica , s.v. “pressure,” accessed September 15, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/science/pressure .

Gover, Emily. Encyclopedia of Birds . 4th ed. New York: Chegg, 2016.

How to Cite Dissertations in Chicago Style

First name Last name, "Title of Dissertation" (type of paper, school, year), url.

Last name, First name. "Title of Dissertation." Type of Paper, School, Year. URL or Database(Identification Number).

Example of Chicago Citation for Dissertations

Michele Kirschenbaum, "Young Students' Online Searching Capabilities" (master's thesis, Drexel University, 2009).

Kirschenbaum, Michele. "Young Students' Online Searching Capabilities." Master's thesis, Drexel University, 2009.

How to Cite DVDs, Video, and Film in Chicago Style

Title , directed by First Name Last name (Year; City, State Abbrev: Producer), Format.

Last Name, First Name, dir. Title . Year; City, State Abbrev: Producer, Year. Format.

Example of Chicago Citation for Film, DVDs, or Videos

_Home Lone , directed by Chris Columbus (1990; Los Angeles, CA: 20th Century Fox), DVD.

Columbus, Chris, dir. Home Alone . 1990; Los Angeles, CA: 20th Century Fox. DVD.

Don’t forget, Citation Machine allows you to generate Chicago citations for films quickly and accurately.

How to Cite Facebook Pages in Chicago Style

Title of Facebook Page, “Text of Post,” Facebook, Month Day, Year, URL.

Title of Facebook Page. “Text of Post.” Facebook, Month Day, Year. URL.

Example of Chicago Citation for Facebook Post

Awakenings, “Maceo Plex gave us goosebumps during Awakenings Festival! We can't wait to hear what he has in store during Maceo Plex x Lone Romantic | Awakenings ADE Elementenstraat on October 19:awak.enin.gs/2KMxDCH,” Facebook, September 12, 2019, https://www.facebook.com/pg/awakenings/posts/?ref=page_internal .

Awakenings. “Maceo Plex gave us goosebumps during Awakenings Festival! We can't wait to hear what he has in store during Maceo Plex x Lone Romantic | Awakenings ADE Elementenstraat on October 19:awak.enin.gs/2KMxDCH.” Facebook, September 12, 2019. https://www.facebook.com/pg/awakenings/posts/?ref=page_internal .

How to Cite Government Publications in Chicago Style

Title of Publication , prepared by Organization (City, State Abbrev, Year).

Firm/Department. Title of Publication . City, State Abbrev, Year.

Example of Chicago Citation for Government Publication

Audit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Annual Financial Statements Fiscal Year 2014 , prepared by The Department of Justice (Washington, DC, 2014).

Department of Justice. Audit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Annual Financial Statements Fiscal Year 2014 . Washington, DC, 2014.

How to Cite Interviews in Chicago Style

Published Interviews are treated in Chicago format style like an article in a magazine or a newspaper. Use one of those formats to cite your interview.

How to Cite an E-mail in Chicago Style

According to The Chicago Manual of Style , 17th edition, personal communications, such as letters, e-mails, text messages, and phone calls are usually referenced in the footnotes and endnotes or explained in the text of the paper. They are rarely listed in the Chicago style bibliography. In addition, an e-mail address belonging to an individual should be omitted, unless given permission by its owner.

Individual's First name Last name, type of communication, Month Day Year of correspondence.

Example of Chicago Citation for E-mail

Michele Kirschenbaum, e-mail message to author, January 18, 2016.

How to Cite Musical Recordings in Chicago Style

"Title of Song," Year of recording date, Platform, track number on Artist’s Name, Album Title, Producer, Year.

Last name, First name of performer. Title of Album. Recorded Year. Producer.

Example of Chicago Citation for Recordings

"Sucker,” Spotify, track 1, on Jonas Brothers, Happiness Begins , Republic Records, 2019.

Jonas Brothers. Happiness Begins . 2019. Republic Records.

Still wondering how to style a Chicago in-text citation? Remember, this style uses footnotes and endnotes! Head to the top of this page to learn more!

How to Cite Online Videos in Chicago Style

First name Last name of individual who posted the video, “Title of Video,” Producer, published on Month Day, Year, Site video, Length, URL.

Last name, First name. "Title of Video." Producer. Published on Month Day, Year. Site video, Length. URL.

Example of Chicago Citation for Online Videos

“Habitats Work in Texas After Hurricane Harvey,” Habitat for Habitat for Humanity, published on September 11, 2019, YouTube video, 01:35, https://youtu.be/EPPALfWYGRo .

“Habitats Works in Texas After Hurricane Harvey.” Habitat for Humanity. Published on September 11, 2019. YouTube video, 01:35. https://youtu.be/EPPALfWYGRo .

How to Cite Images in Chicago Style

First name Last name, Title of Image , Year, format, Location, State, URL.

Last Name, First Name. Title of Image . Date. Format. Location, State, URL.

Example of Chicago Citation for Photographs and Images

Jerome Liebling, May Day , New York, 1948, photograph, The Jewish Museum, New York.
Liebling, Chris. May Day , New York. 1948. Photograph. The Jewish Museum, New York.

How to Cite Live Performances in Chicago Style

Since most live performances are not retrievable by the reader, simply refer to them in the text of the paper or in the notes, and omit it from the bibliography. If it’s a recorded performance, follow the Chicago style format for musical recordings.

Title of Play , music and lyrics by First Name Last Name, dir. First Name Last name, chor. Name of Theatre, City, State Abbrev, Date of Live Performance.

Example of Chicago Citation for Live Performances

The Lion King , Julie Taymor, dir. Garth Fagan, chor. Minskoff Theatre, New York, NY, August 8, 2019.

How to Cite Podcasts in Chicago Style

When citing podcasts in Chicago Style, treat it as an article in a periodical or a chapter in a book. If found online, include the url.

How to Cite Poems in Chicago Style

When citing poems in Chicago Style, cite it as you would a chapter in a book.

How to Cite Presentations and Lectures in Chicago Style

Follow the same guidelines as in the “Conference Papers” section above.

How to Cite Sheet Music in Chicago Style

According to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, cite sheet music the same way as you cite books.

Once you’ve styled each and every reference, take a minute to run your paper through our plagiarism checker . It’s the perfect go-to resource when you’re in need of another set of eyes to scan your paper!

Updated January 8, 2020

Written and edited by Michele Kirschenbaum and Wendy Ikemoto. Michele Kirschenbaum has been an awesome school librarian since 2006 and is an expert in citing sources. Wendy Ikemoto has a master’s degree in library and information science and has been working for Citation Machine since 2012.

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How to Effectively Cite a PDF (APA, MLA, AMA, and Chicago Style)

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The pressure to “publish or perish” is a well-known reality for academics, striking fear into the hearts of researchers worldwide. At the core of this high-stakes environment is the critical importance of effectively citing your sources. The art of citation is far more than just a formality — it is a fundamental pillar upon which the credibility and authority of your research rests.

Proper citation, across a variety of style formats, demonstrates to editors, reviewers, and readers that you take seriously the need to give credit where it is due. This attention to detail commands respect, as it shows you do not shy away from rigorously documenting your sources, even when citing something as common as a PDF file.

By approaching this scholarly practice with diligence and care even when citing PDFs, you position your work to be taken seriously and respected by the scholarly community.

Table of Contents

Importance of Citing a PDF

In today’s digital world, PDFs are frequently used as reference materials, encompassing a variety of content such as journal articles, books, newspapers, reports, and more. Properly citing a PDF is academic work because it serves multiple functions and provides various benefits. The benefits of citing a PDF include:

research paper cite chicago style

Upholds Academic Integrity 

Ensures proper credit is attributed to the original authors and prevents misrepresentation of their work.

research paper cite chicago style

Acknowledges the Work of Others

Allows authors to pay tribute to work of prior researchers, demonstrating respect for the academic community.

research paper cite chicago style

Contextualizes the Research

Serves as a medium to understand the current work within the broader context of existing knowledge.

research paper cite chicago style

Provides Credibility

Lends credibility to an author's work by showing thorough engagement with the relevant literature.

research paper cite chicago style

Facilitates Future Research

Serves as a guidepost for future researchers, saving time and effort while promoting the advancement of knowledge.

Enhances Scholarly Reputation

Stands as a testament to the author’s understanding of the existing literature and their ability to make a contribution.

Elements of PDF Citation

Before you begin citing the PDF that you have accessed online for your research work you need to note down few essential elements required to accurately cite them. They include:

research paper cite chicago style

You may also require other additional details including volume number and edition depending on the type of PDF you cite. While the elements of a PDF citation may remain constant, the structure may vary depending on the citation styles.

Different Citation Styles and Their Use

The choice of citation style is often determined by the discipline or the publication requirements. The most commonly used citation styles and their recommended applications are:

1. MLA (Modern Language Association)

Primarily used in the humanities, including literature, languages, and cultural studies.

2. APA (American Psychological Association)

Widely adopted in the social sciences, such as psychology, education, and business.

3. AMA (American Medical Association)

The preferred style for the field of medicine and life sciences.

Commonly used in historical research and publications.

Adhering to the appropriate citation style depending on your requirement is crucial because:

1. Ensures consistency and uniformity throughout the document, aiding in the ease of locating and verifying sources.

2. Reflects the priorities and preferences of different disciplines, which may emphasize specific details or formatting conventions.

3. Demonstrates respect for the conventions and norms of the academic community, enhancing the credibility and professionalism of the work.

4. Reduces the risk of rejection or criticism because of adherence to specific formatting guidelines or preferences of publications or journals

5. Maintains academic integrity, clarity, and adherence to disciplinary standards.

By investing the time and effort to master this essential skill of citing a PDF, you’ll not only safeguard your academic integrity but also elevate the credibility and impact of your research.

As you embark on your scholarly journey, embrace the power of proper citation. Let it be the mark of your dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. In doing so, you’ll not only uplift your own academic success but also contribute to the broader advancement of your field.

Frequently Asked Questions

To cite a PDF found online, include the following elements in your citation: author(s) name, title of the PDF, publication date, page numbers (if applicable), DOI/URL, and the date you accessed the PDF. The citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) will dictate the specific format. For example, in APA style: Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year). Title of document [PDF]. Site Name. URL

When citing a PDF with multiple authors, list all authors' names in the citation. For instance, in APA style: Author1 Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial., Author2 Last Name, F. M., & Author3 Last Name, F. M. (Year). Title of document. Site Name. URL

In-text citations for PDFs follow the same principles as citations for other sources. Include the author's last name and publication year within parentheses, e.g., (Author Last Name, Year).

To cite a PDF, you'll typically need the author(s) name, title of the PDF, publication date, page numbers (if applicable), DOI/URL, and access date. Additional details such as volume number or edition might be required depending on the citation style.

No, there isn't a universal way to cite PDFs. The citation format varies based on the style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) you are using. Each style has its specific requirements for citing PDFs, and it's essential to follow these guidelines for accuracy and consistency in your citations.

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Computer Science > Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition

Title: improved object-based style transfer with single deep network.

Abstract: This research paper proposes a novel methodology for image-to-image style transfer on objects utilizing a single deep convolutional neural network. The proposed approach leverages the You Only Look Once version 8 (YOLOv8) segmentation model and the backbone neural network of YOLOv8 for style transfer. The primary objective is to enhance the visual appeal of objects in images by seamlessly transferring artistic styles while preserving the original object characteristics. The proposed approach's novelty lies in combining segmentation and style transfer in a single deep convolutional neural network. This approach omits the need for multiple stages or models, thus resulting in simpler training and deployment of the model for practical applications. The results of this approach are shown on two content images by applying different style images. The paper also demonstrates the ability to apply style transfer on multiple objects in the same image.

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IMAGES

  1. Chicago Style Paper: Standard Format and Rules

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  2. Chicago Style Paper: Standard Format and Rules

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  3. Guide to Chicago Style Citations

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  4. Chicago Manual of Style citation guide

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  5. The Best Chicago Style Bibliography Help

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  6. Chicago Style Citation Generator (Free) & Format Guide

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COMMENTS

  1. Chicago Style Format for Papers

    When writing a paper in Chicago style, these are the guidelines to follow; for the sake of simplicity, the term "Chicago" is used here. To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr's free Chicago Citation Generator: Chicago Citation Generator. To apply Chicago format: Use a standard font like 12 pt. Times New ...

  2. Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition

    NB Sample Paper. In addition to consulting The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) for more information, students may also find it useful to consult Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th edition). This manual, which presents what is commonly known as the "Turabian" citation style, follows ...

  3. Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide

    Find it. Write it. Cite it. The Chicago Manual of Style Online is the venerable, time-tested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. ¶ It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. ¶ Over 1.5 million copies sold!

  4. Chicago Style (17th Edition) Citation Guide: Introduction

    Chicago style was created by the University of Chicago. It is a set of rules for publications, including research papers. In Chicago style, you must cite sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

  5. Getting Started

    Chicago style was developed by the University of Chicago Press in 1906. It is a set of rules for research papers and publications for fields like history and business. In Chicago, you must cite sources that you have paraphrased, quoted, or consulted to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

  6. Chicago Style (17th Edition): Introduction

    Chicago Style was created by the University of Chicago. It is a set of rules for formatting publications, including research papers. In Chicago style, you must cite sources that you have quoted, paraphrased, or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places. In the body of your paper where you add a footnote (which ...

  7. Chicago Style

    Whenever you use a citation style (ANY citation style!) you will be governed by that style in three ways: The general format of the paper. This includes margins, font, page numbers, line spacing, titles, headings, etc. The bibliography. The bibliography is the cumulative list of all sources used in your research.

  8. CHICAGO RESEARCH PAPER

    The Chicago Style offers two types of citations: bibliography style and reference list style. This guide assists with the bibliography style. Please consider your instructor's assignment requirements. Your Chicago-style research paper should have the following components: 1. Chicago-style title page. 2.

  9. General Format

    Since The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is primarily intended as a style guide for published works rather than class papers, these guidelines will be supplemented with information from, Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th ed.), which is largely based on CMOS with some slight alterations.

  10. Research Guides: How to Cite References Using Chicago Style/Turabian

    The University of Wisconsin - Madison provides a quick resource for citing references in papers using the Chicago Style Manual, 17th ed. Purdue OWL: Chicago Manual of Style Formatting & Style Guide This resource offers examples for the general format of Chicago Style research papers, endnotes/footnotes, and bibliographic citations.

  11. Citing a Journal Article in Chicago Style

    To cite an online journal article in Chicago notes and bibliography style, list the author's name, the title of the article, the journal name, volume, issue, and publication date, the page range on which the article appears, and a DOI or URL. For an article accessed in print, follow the same format and simply omit the DOI or URL.

  12. Chicago Manual of Style

    Chicago Manual of Style Basics. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides extensive explanation and examples of Chicago style. A brief overview of the most common examples of citation formats from Kate Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers.

  13. How To Cite a Research Paper: MLA, APA, and Chicago Style

    The paper's title follows, then the title of the journal in italics. You also include the journal volume, issue number, and page numbers. As with MLA citations, include a DOI if you found the research paper online. Here is an example of a published research paper cited in APA format: Writer, M. (2020).

  14. LibGuides: Chicago Style Guide, for 17th Edition: Home

    Full citation details are then placed in the Bibliography section. The Bibliography provides a convenient, alphabetized list of all the sources cited in a text, and is typically required for all types of research publication. The Chicago Manual requires that all papers be formatted according to a standardized style. Important aspects include ...

  15. Research Guides: Citation: Chicago Style

    Chicago Style. From the Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide: Chicago style source citations come in two varieties: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date. The notes and bibliography system is preferred by many working in the humanities—including literature, history, and the arts. In this system, sources are cited in numbered footnotes ...

  16. Chicago Style

    It is a documentation style for writing and formatting research papers, including citing sources. There are two different formats in the Chicago Style: The Notes-Bibliography (NB) system which uses a bibliography and either footnotes or endnotes. Commonly used for humanities, including history, literature, and art.

  17. Research Guides: Citation Guides: Chicago Sample Papers

    The following PDF provides a sample paper written in the Chicago style using the Notes and Bibliography System to demonstrate visually how the guidelines work in action. This PDF is used with thanks and full credit to the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab), which maintains a robust online guide to applying a variety of style guides, avoiding ...

  18. Legal, Public and Unpublished Materials

    Legal Materials and Government Documents. Legal materials and other government documents should be cited using footnotes, endnotes, and/or citation sentences (with clauses including the same information required in a footnote). Print copies of the sources tend to be preferred to digital, though verified digital sources are acceptable.

  19. Citation Machine®: CHICAGO Format & CHICAGO Citation Generator

    The Chicago Manual of Style, currently in its 16th edition, was created to help researchers properly cite their sources. There are two types of referencing styles in Chicago: 1) Notes and Bibliography and 2) Author-Date. This guide displays the Notes and Bibliography style of referencing and is not associated with the official publishers of the ...

  20. PDF Citation Guide for APA, MLA, AMA and Chicago Style

    The preferred style for the field of medicine and life sciences. 4. Chicago. Commonly used in historical research and publications. Adhering to the appropriate citation style depending on your requirement is crucial because: 1. Ensures consistency and uniformity throughout the document, aiding in the ease of locating and verifying sources. 2.

  21. Chicago Style Citation Examples

    The Chicago Manual of Style provides guidelines for two styles of citation: author-date and notes and bibliography: In notes and bibliography style (mostly used in the humanities), you use footnotes or endnotes to cite sources. In author-date style (mostly used in the sciences), you use brief parenthetical references to cite sources in the text.

  22. Improved Object-Based Style Transfer with Single Deep Network

    This research paper proposes a novel methodology for image-to-image style transfer on objects utilizing a single deep convolutional neural network. ... The results of this approach are shown on two content images by applying different style images. The paper also demonstrates the ability to apply style transfer on multiple objects in the same ...