essay writing chicago style

• Features for Creative Writers
• Features for Work
• Features for Higher Education
• Features for Teachers
• Features for Non-Native Speakers
• Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
• Grammar Guide

The Complete Guide to Chicago Style

Allison Bressmer

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is a widely used style guide that covers topics like preparing manuscripts for publication, grammar rules, and word usage. It also offers two style options for source citation .

While Chicago Style is more often used for published works than high school or undergraduate class papers, Kate Turabian developed a simplified version of the CMOS’s citation styles, with modifications that address the needs of student writers.

What Does the Chicago Manual of Style Do?

Chicago manual of style general formatting guidelines, how to format an in-text chicago-style citation, guidelines for formatting reference and bibliography pages, why are citations and references necessary.

The purpose of CMOS, or any style guide, is to create a system of standardization across a publication, company, publishing house, or project, etc.

Language and conventions of language, grammar, and word usage are fluid and influenced by social location or other factors, so style manuals provide rules or guidelines to establish consistency.

Additionally, style guides provide easy navigation for readers by creating a clear framework for how sources are cited, documented, and located, should the reader want to investigate that source further.

The CMOS offers these general guidelines for formatting papers:

• Margins should be no less than 1 inch and no more than 1.5 inches around the paper; margins should be consistent throughout.
• The body of the main text should be double spaced .
• Block quotations, notes, bibliography entries, table titles, and figure captions are single spaced .
• Text should be left-justified .
• New paragraphs should be indented by one half inch.
• Font size and style should be legible . While CMOS does not offer a specific font preference, the Turabian guide recommends Times New Roman (12 point) or Calibri (11 point) for student papers.
• Each page of the document should have a header in the top-right corner that includes the page number .

What About a Title Page?

CMOS does not require a title page. However, if the publication you’re writing for requires one, you’ll need to follow their format.

The Turabian guide states that class papers may require either a title on the first page of text or a title page. If you need to include a title page, the recommendations are as follows:

• Center the title one-third of the way down the page.
• The subtitle , if you have one, goes under the title . Put a colon after the title if you have a subtitle.
• Your name , class information , and the date should be included a few lines (3-4 return hits) later, each a separate line.
• All information should be double-spaced .

What About Headings?

In CMOS, consistency is key. There is no set rule for headings and subheadings, other than that they should be consistent throughout the work. Think of them as visual cues.

A reader should be able to recognize that “this font at that size” is a chapter beginning. Or “that font in this size” signals a main subsection of a chapter, and so on.

Other CMOS Style Elements to Know

Because there is variety even within the CMOS, it’s important to remember to check with your instructor or publisher about the specific style methods they follow and to ensure you understand any preferences not specifically stated in the CMOS guidelines.

Here are some common sticking points you may have questions about.

Introduce acronyms the first time you refer to the entity or concept, etc., that they stand for. The first line of this article demonstrates that practice.

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is a widely used style guide . . . .

ProWritingAid's Acronym Report checks this for you, highlighting any un-introduced acronyms in your text, as well as any inconsistent acronyms:

Use the Acronym Report with a free ProWritingAid account.

Use words rather than numerals for numbers under 100. For example, write out twenty-eight instead of 28. There are exceptions to this rule: Use numerals when referring to a specific measurement; for example, 1 inch, and when using decimals. Also, for more technical writing, CMOS advocates spelling out numbers one through nine, but using numerals for any figure with two or more digits.

“Block” a prose quotation of five or more lines. This means the entire quote should be indented, or set off, from the surrounding text. Do not use quotation marks around blocked quotations. Use the same font style and size for the blocked quote as you used for the surrounding text.

Use “headline-style” capitalization for titles mentioned in the text, notes, or bibliography. Headline style means the first words of titles and subtitles, as well as any principal words that follow, are capitalized. Principal words include the first and last words of the title, as well as any words that are not conjunctions, articles, or prepositions. Use italics or quotation marks for titles depending on the works they represent.

Figures and Tables

If you include a figure or table in your work, follow these elements of CMOS:

• Position the figure under the information that discusses that figure.
• Put the caption directly under the image or figure and flush with the left edge of the figure. Use single spacing for the caption.
• Leave at least one blank line between the caption and the continuing text in your document.
• Label the image and ensure that labels are consecutive. For example, Figure 1; Figure 2; Figure 2.1.

CMOS offers two options for in-text citations and their respective reference or bibliography pages: author-date and notes and bibliography .

The Author-Date System

The author-date style is used more commonly in physical and social sciences. With this method, sources are cited in the text, usually with a parenthetical citation that includes the author’s last name and the year the cited work was published.

To find full bibliographic information on the source, the reader can consult the reference list and find the corresponding entry.

This method offers the writer some flexibility in how to integrate citations into their texts.

Examples of Author-Date Style

Let's pretend I ran an experiment on the most popular color of M&Ms among five-year-olds. I conducted the study in 2020 (because what else was there to do during a pandemic?), and you want to include my findings in your paper.

With the author-date format, you could use either of these possibilities:

The study revealed that five-year-olds prefer blue and green M&Ms to brown and yellow ones (Bressmer 2020).

Bressmer (2020) determined that five-year-olds prefer blue and green M&Ms to brown and yellow ones.

If I had worked with one or two others—say, Johnson and Smith—on my study, you would simply add their names to the citation, like this:

• The study revealed that five-year-olds prefer blue and green M&Ms to brown and yellow ones (Bressmer, Johnson, and Smith 2020).

If any additional researchers were involved in the study (making the total four or more names), you would use (Bressmer et al. 2020).

If you need to cite more than one reference in a single in-text citation, use semicolons to separate those references.

• One study revealed that five-year-olds prefer blue and green M&Ms to brown and yellow ones, but a subsequent study indicates that blue is preferred even over green (Bressmer 2020; Phillips 2021).

If I had conducted both of those studies (not Phillips), only a comma would be required between the dates: (Bressmer 2020, 2021).

Author-Date Reference List

If you use the author-date style, you must include a list of references as the last page of your work. Each of your in-text citations must have a corresponding entry on the reference list that includes the full bibliographic information for the source.

The reference list should only include sources you’ve cited in the document.

The Notes and Bibliography System

This system is often preferred by those working in the humanities. It has flexibility and provides an opportunity for commenting on sources, if the writer feels a comment is necessary.

In the notes and bibliography style, writers acknowledge they have used a source by putting a superscript number at the end of the sentence in which that source is referenced. If the reference is a direct quote, then the superscript should immediately follow the quotation. The note number should also follow punctuation, rather than precede it.

Footnotes and Endnotes

Using either footnotes or endnotes , the writer includes a numbered note that corresponds to the in-text superscript number either at the bottom of the page on which the reference is used, in which case the note is called a footnote , or in a compiled list of notes at the end of a chapter, or the entire document, called endnotes .

Footnotes and endnotes include bibliographic information for the cited source. These notes then correspond to entries on the last page of the paper, the bibliography.

Usually, the first time a source is listed as a footnote or endnote , it is appropriate to use a full note, which includes full publication details of the source.

If a source is included in subsequent footnotes or endnotes , it’s common practice to use short notes , which include the author’s last name, title of the work, and page number, if relevant. However, always check with your instructor or publisher and follow their recommendations.

Example of Notes and Bibliography Style

Imagine the sentence below appears in the text of a document in which the writer referenced my M&M study. Note the superscript after the referenced material and the corresponding footnote (full-note form) at the “bottom” of my page. A thin line separates footnotes from the main text, and the footnotes appear in a font of the same or smaller size than the main text.

The study revealed that five-year-olds prefer blue and green M&Ms to brown and yellow ones.1

• Allison Bressmer, “The M&M Attraction Study,” The Journal of Imagined Studies 100, no. 1, (August 2020): 5.

A short-note version would simply include

• Bressmer, “The M&M Attraction Study,” 5.

The Notes-Bibliography Style Bibliography Page

While a reference list is required for papers written with the author-date system, a bibliography is not required for works written with the notes-and-bibliography system, though they are generally preferred. Once again, check with your instructor or publisher.

The bibliography includes sources cited in your paper and may list other sources you referenced in preparing the work but did not specifically cite.

For the most part, format the reference and bibliography pages the same way.

Either list starts on a new, blank page that comes at the end of your document.

• Title the document as References or Bibliography , depending on the CMOS citation system used in the document. Center that title word, but do not underline or put it in quotation marks.
• Leave two blank lines between the title and your first entry.
• Single space the lines of each entry; if the entry has more than one line, use a hanging indent for all subsequent lines (this just means the lines are indented, or “tabbed”).
• Leave one blank line between entries.
• Alphabetize entries by author’s name; if no author, then by the first word of the entry (probably the title of the article/work).

What to Include in Chicago-Style Reference and Bibliography Entries

Other than their titles, the only other difference between the reference and bibliography pages is regarding the placement of the publication date. On a reference list, place the year of publication immediately after the author’s name.

Major Elements

Include the following major elements in reference and bibliography entries and separate the elements with periods:

• Author’s name: last name first, with a comma separating the names. For example, Johnson, Joan.

Reminder: on a reference list , the publication date appears directly after the author’s name.

Title: Italicize titles of books and journals. Use quotation marks for titles of articles, chapters, short stories, or poems.

Publication information: Name of journal (or larger work in which the cited article, chapter, etc., appears), publisher, year of publication.

If additional information about the source is available:

• After the title, include others involved in producing the work (editors, translators, compilers); edition number if the work is not the first edition; volume or series numbers.
• After publication information, include page numbers; URLs, or DOIs (digital object identifiers) of sources accessed through electronic databases.

By acknowledging the author of a source cited in your paper, you do the following:

• Uphold standards of intellectual and academic honesty by acknowledging the authors of the information you’ve borrowed for your paper. It’s never okay to try to pass off someone else’s work or ideas as your own—that is called plagiarism.

For more help ensuring your work is presented honestly, sign up for ProWritingAid’s Plagiarism Checks —and rest assured your work will not be stored or sold.

Establish credibility by including the voices and works of others as support for your ideas, arguments, or proposals. When you do this, you validate the credibility of your ideas.

Help your readers by leading them to the source of each of your citations. Should they want to investigate further, your citations will lead to your reference page, which provides the location of your source.

The Chicago Manual of Style offers versatility for writers, allowing them to adapt their citations to the style that suits their work (or their instructor’s or publisher’s request), while ensuring readers can easily identify and locate those cited sources for further investigation.

Want to use ProWritingAid with your classroom? Download this free book now:

ProWritingAid Teacher's Manual

Editing technology like prowritingaid provides immediate, personalized feedback that will help students better understand grammar and writing techniques., in this guide , we walk you through exactly how to use prowritingaid in your classroom and give you tools and templates for creating a rigorous, effective, independent writing practice with your students..

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Allison Bressmer is a professor of freshman composition and critical reading at a community college and a freelance writer. If she isn’t writing or teaching, you’ll likely find her reading a book or listening to a podcast while happily sipping a semi-sweet iced tea or happy-houring with friends. She lives in New York with her family. Connect at linkedin.com/in/allisonbressmer.

Get started with ProWritingAid

Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

How to Write and Format a Chicago Style Paper [With Examples]

3-minute read

• 18th August 2023

Are you working on a Chicago style project but struggling with the question, “just what is it?!”

Fear not, this post will walk you through Chicago style basics.

What Is Chicago Style?

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) is a comprehensive style guide primarily used by professional writers, publishers, and researchers. It covers various forms of writing, including books, journals, magazines, and other publications. It’s often the go-to style for publishers and editors. CMoS is also known for its emphasis on scholarly writing and is suitable for a wide range of disciplines, including history, literature, the arts, and social sciences.

However, there’s an important distinction between Chicago style and Turabian style , which is essentially a simplified version of CMoS used in scholarly writing. Turabian omits some of the complexities and focuses on the needs of academic writers, especially those in the humanities and social sciences.

With either style, it’s essential to consult the relevant edition of the style guide specified by your institution or publication: either The Chicago Manual of Style or A Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian (currently in its ninth edition).

How Are Chicago Style Citations Formatted?

CMoS emphasizes two primary documentation systems : the notes and bibliography system (often used in the humanities) and the author–date system (preferred in the sciences and social sciences). When formatting a CMoS/Turabian paper, you’ll need to adhere to the guidelines associated with your chosen documentation system.

Notes and Bibliography System:

●  In this system, you’ll use footnotes or endnotes to cite sources within the text.

●  A corresponding bibliography is included at the end of the paper, listing all sources in alphabetical order.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

●  Citations typically include author names, titles, publication details, and page numbers.

Author–Date System:

●  In the author–date system, you’ll incorporate in-text citations within parentheses.

●  A reference list is included at the end of the document, providing full details for each cited source.

●  Citations include author’s last names, publication year, and page numbers (if applicable).

What Does Turabian Style Formatting Look Like?

A well-structured Turabian Style paper should adhere to the following formatting guidelines :

•   Title page : Include the title of your paper, your name, the course name/number, instructor’s name, and the date on a separate page, starting a third of the page down. Alternatively, write the title on the first page.
•   Margins : Apply one-inch margins on all sides.
• Indentation and spacing : Indent paragraphs and double-space the main text.
• Font : Use a legible 12-point font (e.g., Times New Roman).
• Page numbers : Number all pages consecutively in the top right corner, starting with the first page. Alternatively, page numbers may be placed at the bottom center of the page.
• Headings and subheadings : Use headline-style capitalization for headings and subheadings, with different levels distinguished.
• Footnotes or in-text citations: Implement your chosen citation system consistently throughout the paper.
• Bibliography or reference list : Include a comprehensive list of all sources used, following Chicago style citation guidelines for your chosen system.

How Should I Choose Which Chicago Style Documentation to Use?

It’s crucial to find out which specific CMoS system is preferred by your institution, publisher, or field of study. Always consult your assignment guidelines or style manual to determine whether you should use the notes and bibliography system or the author–date system. This choice will significantly impact how you format your citations and references.

Remember that mastering CMoS takes practice. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to crafting polished, professionally formatted papers that meet the expectations of your academic or professional audience.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

What is a content editor.

Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...

4-minute read

The Benefits of Using an Online Proofreading Service

Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...

2-minute read

6 Online AI Presentation Maker Tools

Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...

What Is Market Research?

No matter your industry, conducting market research helps you keep up to date with shifting...

8 Press Release Distribution Services for Your Business

In a world where you need to stand out, press releases are key to being...

How to Get a Patent

In the United States, the US Patent and Trademarks Office issues patents. In the United...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

Covering a story? Visit our page for journalists or call (773) 702-8360.

UChicago Class Visits

Top stories, national study finds in-school, high-dosage tutoring can reverse pandemic-era learning loss, ethan bueno de mesquita appointed dean of the harris school of public policy, course on afrofuturism brings together uchicago students and community members, the chicago manual of style, explained.

The Chicago Manual of Style is an American English style guide published by the University of Chicago Press. The Manual ’s guidelines for publishing, style and usage, and citations and indexes—known as “Chicago style” rules and recommendations—are among the most widely used in the United States, especially in academic and book publishing.

Jump to a section:

• What is The Chicago Manual of Style?

What is the history of The Chicago Manual of Style?

What is turabian style, what makes something definitively chicago style, what is a chicago-style citation is a quick reference available for chicago style, what is the difference between chicago style, ap style, mla style, and apa style in what contexts is chicago style used most often.

• How did The Chicago Manual of Style become a standard reference?

What is The Chicago Manual of Style ?

The Chicago Manual of Style is an American English style and usage guide published continuously by the University of Chicago Press since 1906. Today, it is used widely in many academic disciplines and is considered the standard for US style in book publishing.

The Chicago Manual of Style has become a staple reference for writers and editors, in part because it was one of the first style guides to be published in book form, and the only one from an academic press in North America. (Other style guides are published by professional associations.) Eventually, the Manual became a canonical work synonymous with its home institution, akin to the Oxford English Dictionary .

The Manual is now in its 17th edition, published in 2017. Sometimes referred to by its acronym, CMOS (pronounced like “sea moss”), The Chicago Manual of Style is available both in print and online , for an annual subscription fee. A free Chicago style Q&A and other resources are also available to the public on the CMOS website.

Grammar enthusiasts celebrate “Chicago style” rules, such as whether to put the title of a book in italics (Chicago style says yes, whereas AP style recommends quotation marks), or whether to use a serial comma—also known as an “Oxford” comma (Chicago style: yes; AP style: no). However, the editors at the University of Chicago Press acknowledge that rules are often context-dependent, and sometimes need to be broken. The Manual is thus also respected for its flexibility.

Opening in 1891, the University of Chicago Press was one of the original divisions of the University of Chicago (founded in 1890). The staff at the Press soon decided that maintaining a consistent, professional style would be essential to streamlining the Press’s publishing across many disciplines, and drew up an initial style sheet that was circulated to the university community.

The first iteration of the   Manual as we know it today was published in 1906 as Manual of Style: Being a Compilation of the Typographical Rules in Force at the University of Chicago Press, to Which Are Appended Specimens of Type in Use.

The Manual has been revised numerous times, including a major revision—the 12th edition in 1969—that definitively established the Manual as an industry leader on style matters. The first edition to incorporate “Chicago” in the title was the 13th edition, published in 1982; previous titles had been variations on A Manual of Style . The change reflected the way readers typically referred to the manual.

Over the years, each edition has sought to address contemporary questions from readers that have arisen via the continued evolution of language and technology. For example, the proliferation of computers—including digital publishing techniques facilitated by the internet and social media—have created a host of new style-related questions, many of which are addressed in recent editions.

Historical content adapted from The Chicago Manual of Style Online .

The term “Turabian” or “Turabian style” refers to the style guidelines that serve as a standard reference for college and graduate students writing research papers, providing an introduction to Chicago-style formatting and citation.

The guidelines were first set forth in 1937 by Kate L. Turabian—then the University of Chicago’s graduate school dissertation secretary—who wrote the pamphlet that became A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations . Now in its ninth edition, with multiple contributing writers and editors, Turabian (as it is usually known) continues to emphasize the value of strong research questions, evidence-based arguments, logical structure, and source citation.

The Turabian style guide is published by the University of Chicago Press and closely follows The Chicago Manual of Style , such that the term “Chicago/Turabian” is also used in some instances. The primary differences are the scope of the Turabian guide, which is narrower than that of CMOS , and its target audience of students. More information about the Turabian style guide and its history  is available on The Chicago Manual of Style ’s website.

When people talk about “Chicago style” rules, they are most often referring either to punctuation or source citations. In the case of punctuation, Chicago is the standard for US style in book publishing, whereas Oxford style is generally associated with British style. Some examples of a few notable differences are below:

• Chicago prefers double quotation marks (“like this”); Oxford prefers single (‘like this’).
• In Chicago style, periods and commas go inside closing quotation marks, “like this,” whereas Oxford puts them after, ‘like this’, though there are exceptions (and exceptions are generally made in British style for fiction and journalism).
• Chicago uses em dashes with no space before or after—like this. Usage at Oxford varies, but in British style many publishers prefer spaced en dashes – like this.
• Oxford style is usually associated with the “Oxford comma”—the comma before the conjunction in a series of three or more (like the one before “and” in “apples, oranges, and pears”). But this comma has also always been Chicago style. CMOS refers to it as a “serial comma.”
• On spelling, Chicago prefers the spellings at Merriam-Webster.com; Oxford follows Oxford’s dictionaries, starting with the Oxford English Dictionary .

Source citations involve the use of numbered notes and a bibliography, each styled and punctuated in a specific way, or author-date citations. Chicago’s citation style, like many of its other rules, goes back to the first edition and its focus on academic publishing. For more information about Chicago-style citations, read on.

This section was adapted from content contributed by Russell Harper, the editor of The Chicago Manual of Style’s Online Q&A.

For detailed information about Chicago-style citations and references, visit the CMOS website and Citation Quick Guide . In general, Chicago-style citations use either an author-date format or numbered notes and a bibliography.

Here is an example of an author-date citation, as it would appear in the text of an essay citing a book:

The primary cheeses used in Chicago-style pizza are mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano (Bruno 1983, 4).

Here is a full citation for the same book, as it would appear at the end in a list of works cited:

Bruno, Pasquale, Jr. The Great Chicago-Style Pizza Cookbook . New York: McGraw-Hill, 1983.

Here is how the same book would appear as a footnote with a corresponding reference:

Sentence from essay: For best results, stick to high-quality tomatoes, and avoid adding tomato paste to your Chicago-style pizza sauce.¹

Reference at the bottom of the page or end of the text: 1. Pasquale Bruno Jr., The Great Chicago-Style Pizza Cookbook (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1983), 3.

Many English style and usage guides exist, and many organizations have their own in-house guides. Some guides are specific to particular fields like law, whereas others have more general applications.

There are many guides in publishing, media, and academia, but four predominate. These are the Associated Press Stylebook (AP style), The Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago style), the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook (MLA style), and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA style). AP style is the standard in journalism, while MLA style is popular in classroom instruction and in some academic disciplines. APA style is often used in the social sciences and related academic fields.

Chicago style is comprehensive, and can address most questions relevant to writing, editing, and publishing in any discipline. Intended originally as a guide for publishers of academic books and journals, it is especially popular in the humanities and social sciences. Chicago style is also used widely by students and by publishers of novels and trade books.

Here is an example of the differences between Chicago style and AP style on common questions, such as styling titles in italics or quotations marks, the use of serial or “Oxford” commas, and possessive nouns ending in the letter “s”:

Chicago style: After Harry Styles’s tour in support of his album Fine Line stopped at the United Center, the pop star made sure to pick up some Chicago-style pizza, hot dogs, and popcorn.

AP style: After Harry Styles’ tour in support of his album “Fine Line” stopped at the United Center, the pop star made sure to pick up some Chicago-style pizza, hot dogs and popcorn.

Though either guide’s recommendations might seem prescriptive, English is a fraught language, with many potential gray areas. The editors at the University of Chicago Press (like those at AP) have sought to establish clarity and consistency while at the same time remaining flexible and cognizant of the fact that context may call for individual discretion on style matters.

How did  The Chicago Manual of Style become a standard reference?

The Chicago Manual of Style became a standard reference in part because of its early publication date at a time when university press publishing in the United States was just getting off the ground. Today, the University of Chicago Press is considered the largest academic press in the United States. It is also one of the oldest continuously publishing presses, according to the Association of American University Presses , with Johns Hopkins University Press (founded in 1878) being the oldest.

The University of Chicago Press quickly began to establish itself as a leading American university press, publishing the first edition of the Manual in 1906, before some competing presses, like those at Yale University (1908) and Harvard University (1913), had even been established.

In the United Kingdom, however, Oxford University Press began publishing its own style guide, originally titled Rules for Compositors and Readers at the University Press, Oxford , in 1904 (two years before Chicago). Known informally as “Hart’s Rules,” after the original author, Horace Hart, the Oxford style guide continues to be published today, with the most recent edition titled New Oxford Style Manual (2016).

Oxford University Press and other presses such as Cambridge University Press are older than any North American university press. Oxford traces the founding of its press to the 16th century (as does Cambridge). However, both the University of Chicago and the University of Oxford made their style guides available to the public before competitors early in the 20th century, which helped ensure their influence since then.

University of Chicago faculty, students, and staff can access The Chicago Manual of Style Online from the Library home page .

Editor’s Note: UChicago News follows journalistic convention, meaning that most of our coverage is published in AP style. However, an exception has been made for this piece, which is published in Chicago style in keeping with its subject matter.

Recommended Stories

An editor takes the fear out of The Chicago Manual of Style

Chicago Manual of Style reflects changes in social media, new…

Related Topics

Latest news, big brains podcast: what dogs are teaching us about aging.

Department of Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity

Eclipse 2024

What eclipses have meant to people across the ages

Dark matter

First results from BREAD experiment demonstrate a new approach to searching for dark matter

Where do breakthrough discoveries and ideas come from?

Explore The Day Tomorrow Began

Study finds increase in suicides among Black and Latino Chicagoans

Education Lab

Around UChicago

It’s in our core

New initiative highlights UChicago’s unique undergraduate experience

Alumni Awards

Two Nobel laureates among recipients of UChicago’s 2024 Alumni Awards

Faculty Awards

Profs. John MacAloon and Martha Nussbaum to receive 2024 Norman Maclean Faculty…

Sloan Research Fellowships

Five UChicago scholars awarded prestigious Sloan Fellowships in 2024

Convocation

Prof. John List named speaker for UChicago’s 2024 Convocation ceremony

The College

Anna Chlumsky, AB’02, named UChicago’s 2024 Class Day speaker

UChicago Medicine

“I saw an opportunity to leverage the intellectual firepower of a world-class university for advancing cancer research and care.”

Announcement

Libraries | Research Guides

Chicago style explained, chicago style manual & complements, chicago style background information, your librarian.

Chicago Manual of Style Online - a selection of sections linked below

• Grammar and Usage - finer points of grammar, punctuation, syntax, and bias free language.
• Punctuation -
• Notes and Bibliography - when, why, and how of footnotes, bibliographies, and citation format for different source types
• Author-Date References
• Chicago Style Q&A - review answers to questions submitted, or ask a question yourself!
• Chicago Manual of Style Online - Resources for Students (Turabian) - incudes paper formatting tip sheets, Chicago Style basics, tip sheets on crafting a paper (shaping your writing and research around a research question) and much more.

Allen, M. (2017). Chicago Style , IN The sage encyclopedia of communication research methods (Vols. 1-4). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc doi: 10.4135/9781483381411

This encyclopedia entry provides an overview of Chicago Style, including general style guidelines, formatting a paper, and both the Notes-Bibliography system (used largely in the humanities) and Author-Date system (used largely in the social sciences) .

Chicago style that has been modified for students is known as Turabian style and is documented in A Manual for Writers, originally by Kate L.Turabian, now in its 8th edition.

Gump, S. (2019). Kate L. Turabian. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. Journal of Scholarly Publishing, 51(1), 99-104.

Gump's review for the 9th edition of Turabian's  A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers includes a helpful history of the origins and editions of this book, along with its role as in intermediate-level guide in relation to the begin ner guide, Student’s Guide to Writing College Papers (also by Turabian), and the Chicago Manual of Style itself.

What follows are a selection of additional articles in the encyclopedia explaining the writing and citing processes.  Use links at the bottom of each article to continue exploring.

• Allen, M. (2017). Citations to Research, IN The sage encyclopedia of communication research methods (Vols. 1-4). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc doi: 10.4135/9781483381411
• Allen, M. (2017).   Acknowledging the Contribution of Others , IN The sage encyclopedia of communication research methods (Vols. 1-4). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc doi: 10.4135/9781483381411
• Allen, M. (2017). Writing Process, The, IN The sage encyclopedia of communication research methods (Vols. 1-4). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc doi: 10.4135/9781483381411
• Allen, M. (2017). Publication Style Guides , IN The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods . 4 vols. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2017. SAGE Research Methods. Web. 24 Jun. 2020, doi: 10.4135/9781483381411.
• Last Updated: May 26, 2022 8:07 AM
• URL: https://libguides.northwestern.edu/chicagostyle

Writing Styles: Basic Chicago Style

• APA: References
• APA on YouTube
• APA: Formatting in Word
• Chicago: Bibliography
• Video: Chicago Manual of Style
• MLA: Works Cited Page
• MLA: In-text Citations
• Video: MLA style essay format
• Comparing MLA and APA

Format, Sections and Title Page: Chicago Style

• Compose using Times New Roman, 10-12 point font
• Double spaced text
• One inch margins on all sides
• One space after each end punctuation
• Page numbers: Start with first page of text, add page numbers at the top center or bottom center of the page.
• Text Pages -- the body of your paper
• Footnotes -- citations for sources that contain information about the author, content, copyright permissions, or tables.
• Bibliography -- list of sources used in your paper.
• Appendices -- materials relevant to your paper's topic that would be too distracting if presented within the paper (ex. charts, tests, questionnaires, interviews).
• The title of the paper is centered a third of the way down the page.
• Two thirds of the page down, type your name, class information, and date due, each on a separate line.
• No header on the title page.

Footnotes    Chicago Style uses numerical footnotes within the text. See next section for more information.

Bibliography    In addition to the footnote citation, Chicago style requires a separate bibliography page. Entries in the bibliography contain the same information in the footnotes with the exception of page numbers.

A Note About Titles

• T itles   of articles, chapters, essays, short stories, poems, songs, and photographs should be in  quotation marks (ex. "The Rhodora").
• Titles of books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, plays, works of art, albums, movies, television programs, and catalog titles should be italicized (ex. Classical Philology).
• Titles of websites, book series, editions, broadcast networks and channels, artistic works of antiquity with unknown creators are only capitalized (ex. The History Channel).
• Titles of parts of a book (foreword, preface, appendix) are only lowercased (ex. foreword)

Footnotes: Chicago Style

Footnotes Chicago Style uses numerical footnotes within the text. The footnote should be added after the end punctuation and should include:

• Title of cited work
• Publishing city and the publisher
• Year of publication
• Page range used

Throughout a paper, even when starting a new paragraph or page, the footnotes should be in numerical order (1,2,3, etc.).

When a source is used more than once in a paper, the author(s) and title of the work may be shortened.

Example of footnote for direct quote:

Susan G. Cole explains, "The Greek word grammatikos ('literate') originally meant 'knowing the alphabet' and the word first appeared in Xenophon." 1  [Note: Footnote numbers should be elevated as superscript, or on the same level as the text.]

1 Susan G. Cole, "Could Greek Women Read and Write?." Women's Studies 8(1981): 129, Accessed February 18, 2013, doi:10.1080/00497878.1981.9978534

Example of footnote for a paraphrased text:

Schliemann and Calvert first suggested that the ancient city of Troy could be found on a site now known in Turkey as Hisarlik. 2

2 Heinrich Schliemann, Troja (New York: Benjamin Bloom Inc.,1884), 277.    [ Note: Footnote numbers should be elevated as superscript, or on the same level as the text.]

Ibid. is used when a source is cited consecutively. The source is cited fully once, and when it is used again for the next footnote, it may be cited as Ibid. If it is the same source, but the infomation used is found on a different page, add the page number after Ibid .

Example of Ibid.:

Schliemann and Calvert first suggested that the ancient city of Troy could be found on a site now known in Turkey as Hisarlik. 2 It is on this site that Schliemann claimed to have found "Priam's Treasure." 3

2 Heinrich Schliemann, Troja  (New York:  Benjamin Bloom Inc., 1884), 277.

3 Ibid., 279.

• << Previous: APA: Formatting in Word
• Next: Chicago: Bibliography >>
• Last Updated: Mar 28, 2022 2:58 PM
• URL: https://libguides.lourdes.edu/writingstyles

Chicago Style Format: A Step-by-Step Manual

The Chicago Manual of Style, a literary authority that has significantly shaped the world of writing and publishing, boasts a legacy that spans well over a century. Since its establishment in 1906, this venerable style guide has played a pivotal role in maintaining the highest standards of writing and publishing across various disciplines. Its enduring influence is nothing short of remarkable, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of academia, journalism, and professional publishing.

Chicago Style Format: Short Description

In this article, our experts, who handle your ' write my paper ' requests, will embark on a journey through the corridors of this iconic guide, delving into its rich history, indispensable guidelines, and the profound impact it continues to exert on the world of written communication. Whether you're a student striving for academic excellence, a seasoned writer crafting prose, or an editor refining manuscripts, the Chicago Manual of Style remains an indispensable companion in your quest for precision and eloquence in language and presentation.

What Is the Chicago Manual of Style

The Chicago Manual of Style, often affectionately referred to as 'Chicago,' stands as a formidable pillar of authority in the realm of writing and publishing. First published in 1906 by the University of Chicago Press, this venerable guide is much more than a rulebook; it is an enduring testament to the meticulous artistry of language and presentation.

At its core, the Chicago Manual of Style serves as a comprehensive reference for writers, editors, and publishers, offering guidance on everything from grammar and punctuation to citation styles and manuscript formatting. Its authority extends across an array of disciplines, making it a trusted companion for academics, journalists, historians, and authors alike.

The difference between MLA and APA and Chicago Styles :

While the goal of all major style guides is to ensure clarity, consistency, and credibility in writing, each has its own unique approach.

Chicago is renowned for its flexibility, making it a preferred choice for disciplines like history and the humanities. It utilizes both footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography to cite sources, allowing for detailed referencing and extensive historical context.

In contrast, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly adopted in the fields of literature, arts, and humanities. MLA is known for its straightforward, in-text citation style and Works Cited page.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style, favored in the social sciences, psychology, and education, employs a concise in-text citation system and a references page, which highlights the publication date and emphasizes the currency of research.

Distinguishing Chicago from Turabian Style

Is Chicago the same as Turabian? It's a question that often leaves students scratching their heads in confusion. Chicago and Turabian are like two branches of the same family tree, both descended from the hallowed halls of the University of Chicago.

Chicago Style format comes in two flavors: notes and bibliography, often favored in humanities, and the author-date system, more prevalent in the sciences. Turabian, created as a student-friendly adaptation of Chicago, primarily employs the notes and bibliography system. Thus, if you're a student or navigating the social sciences and humanities, Turabian might be your go-to choice.

Another key difference lies in the level of detail. Chicago is comprehensive, bordering on exhaustive, making it ideal for complex research projects. Turabian, in contrast, provides clear and concise guidelines suitable for most academic endeavors. While Chicago exudes a sense of scholarly tradition, Turabian is seen as more practical and approachable. Ultimately, your choice between these two styles depends on your academic journey and the expectations of your scholarly audience, akin to selecting the right wine from the same vineyard with distinct flavors.

Basic Guidelines

Chicago Style citation, renowned for its versatility and rigorous standards, provides a structured framework for scholars to create their intellectual canvases. Our expert service, where you have the option to buy essay , delves into the fundamental principles that underpin this renowned style, ensuring your academic work shines with precision and clarity.

Chicago Style Cover Page

The title page, often considered the gateway to your scholarly journey, holds the key to making a striking first impression. While specifics may vary per your instructor's preferences, here are the foundational principles to craft a compelling Chicago cover page:

• Title Placement: The title of Chicago-style papers should take center stage, situated one-third of the way down from the top of the page.
• Comprehensive Information: Following the title, provide essential details such as the author's name, class information, and the date, each on separate lines and all generously double-spaced.
• Subtitle Synergy: Should your work demand a subtitle, elegantly incorporate it by ending the title line with a colon, followed by the subtitle on the subsequent line.

Understanding the difference between Chicago and Turabian styles is crucial. In Chicago Style, having a title page is typically the norm. However, Turabian provides more flexibility, similar to the choice you have when learning how to write an essay introduction in Turabian.

In Turabian, you can either opt for a title page or simply start your document with the title on the first page before your main content. If your professor requests a title page in Turabian, apply the same rules discussed earlier. Keep in mind that whether you're following Chicago or Turabian, your title page plays a role akin to an introduction in your academic work. Hence, it's essential to format it correctly and adhere to the guidelines.

Whether you're writing a synthesis essay or any other Chicago-style paper, the main body is where scholarly communication and rigorous research intersect, requiring clarity, precision, and adherence to citation standards.

• Structured Organization: Divide content into sections or headings for clarity.
• Citational Rigor: Follow strict citation rules, aligning with Chicago's guidelines.
• Clarity and Precision: Emphasize clear language, grammar, and syntax.
• Evidence Integration: Seamlessly incorporate evidence and data into the narrative.
• Depth of Analysis: Encourage in-depth exploration and critical engagement.
• Scholarly Voice: Balance academic rigor with accessible language.
• Interdisciplinary Flexibility: Adapt to various academic disciplines effectively.

Headings in the Chicago Manual of Style play a pivotal role in guiding readers through the complexities of academic writing. 

Here's a succinct overview:

1. Hierarchy Matters: Chicago Style recognizes several levels of headings, each serving a distinct purpose. These include:

• Level 1: Centered, bold or italicized, headline-style capitalization.
• Level 2: Centered, regular font, headline-style capitalization.
• Level 3: Flush left, bold or italicized, headline-style capitalization.
• Level 4: Flush left, regular font, headline-style capitalization.

2. Clarity Is Key: Headings should be clear and informative. They should give the reader a sense of the section's content without the need to delve into the details.

3. Consistency Rules: Maintain a consistent hierarchy throughout your work. If you start with a Level 1 heading, continue in the same fashion for subsequent sections. Consistency enhances readability.

4. Avoid Overuse: Don't clutter your text with too many headings. Use them judiciously to highlight major sections or key points within those sections.

5. Capitalization Rules: Pay close attention to capitalization style within headings. In headline-style capitalization, major words are capitalized, while minor words are in lowercase unless they are the first or last words in the heading.

Ready to Transform Your Research Paper into a Chicago-Style Masterpiece?

Our expert writers are here to sprinkle some scholarly stardust on your work.

In-Text Citations and Notes

In Chicago Style format, the judicious use of in-text citations and notes is a hallmark of academic rigor. Here's a helpful guide on how to employ them effectively, even when learning how to write a nursing essay :

1. Notes and Bibliography vs. Author-Date: Chicago Style offers two primary citation systems—Notes and Bibliography (used predominantly in the humanities) and the Author-Date system (commonly employed in the sciences). Ensure you understand which system is appropriate for your field of study.

2. Notes and Bibliography System: If using this system, employ footnotes or endnotes to cite sources. Place a superscript numeral (1, 2, 3, etc.) in the text where the citation is needed. The corresponding citation details appear at the bottom of the page (footnotes) or at the end of the document (endnotes).

3. Author-Date System: In this system, the author's last name and the publication year are placed in parentheses within the text, e.g., (Gerber, 2022). The full citation details are listed in the reference list at the end of the document.

4. Abbreviations: Familiarize yourself with common abbreviations used in Chicago Style, such as 'ibid.' for 'the same source' and 'et al.' for 'and others.' These abbreviations aid in concise and consistent note and citation formatting.

5. Bibliography or Reference List: Conclude your document with a comprehensive bibliography (Notes and Bibliography system) or a reference list (Author-Date system). Ensure that all sources cited in your text are included in this section, and follow Chicago Style guidelines for formatting.

Block Quotes

Block quotes, a distinctive feature of the Chicago Manual of Style, serve as a powerful tool for amplifying the wisdom of experts and honoring the sources that enrich your academic work. Here's a succinct guide on how to effectively employ block quotes:

• Block Quote Length: Use block quotes for substantial text excerpts, usually 100 words or more in Notes and Bibliography or 50 words or more in Author-Date.
• Block Quote Format: Chicago Style indents block quotes 0.5 inches from the left margin. No quotation marks are needed, just a single space before and after.
• Cite in Block Quotes: Always include proper citations in block quotes, either within the quote or immediately following it, with author, date, and page number.
• Consistent Usage: If using block quotes, apply them consistently throughout your document, following Chicago Style guidelines.
• Integrate with Context: Seamlessly integrate block quotes into your text, providing context before and after. Explain their relevance to your argument.
• Citation Style Consistency: Ensure block quote citations match the chosen Chicago Style system (Notes and Bibliography or Author-Date) and place citations correctly.
• Shortening Block Quotes: Use ellipses (...) to shorten block quotes when necessary, ensuring the original meaning is preserved.
• Adding Clarity: If you insert your own words within a block quote for clarity, enclose them in square brackets ([...]) to differentiate them from the original text.
• Punctuation Placement: Final punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation point) goes inside the quotation mark unless it's part of the original quote.

Numbers and Acronyms

In Chicago Style Format, it's generally advisable to express numbers below 100 in words rather than numerals. Therefore, it's preferable to write 'seventy-five' instead of '75.' However, when referring to specific measurements, such as '15 pounds,' you should still use numerals.

Regarding acronyms, it's essential to provide an explanation the first time you introduce them, along with their full expansion in parentheses.

Example: The House Price Index (HPI) reveals...

Subsequently, you can use the acronym alone. Avoid starting sentences with numerals or acronyms. You should either rephrase the sentence to place the numeral or acronym elsewhere or spell out the complete phrase or number. Instead of '200 people answered the question' or 'Two hundred people answered the question,' use 'We received 200 responses.'

Chicago Style Bibliography: Footnotes and Endnotes

In Chicago Style, the use of footnotes and endnotes is a distinctive feature of the Notes and Bibliography system. These notes serve a dual purpose: providing additional information or explanations while also citing sources.

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page where a reference or explanation is needed. They are marked with superscript numbers in the text, corresponding to the note at the bottom of the page .

• Placement: Place footnotes at the bottom of the page where the reference or explanation is needed.
• Superscript Numbers: In the text, mark the location for a footnote with a superscript numeral, usually placed after punctuation marks.
• Content: Footnotes can include additional information, explanations, or citations. Provide enough detail to support your argument or provide context.
• Citations: When citing a source in a footnote, use the full citation format, including author, title, publication details, and page number. Follow Chicago Style citation guidelines.

Endnotes in Chicago style, on the other hand, are placed at the end of the document, often before the bibliography section. They follow the same numbering system as footnotes but are collected in one place.

• Placement: Place endnotes at the end of the document, often just before the bibliography section.
• Numerical Continuity: Use the same numbering system as footnotes throughout the document for consistency.
• Content: Similar to footnotes, endnotes can contain additional information, explanations, or citations. They serve the same purposes as footnotes but are collected in one location.
• Citations: When citing a source in an endnote, use the full citation format, following Chicago Style guidelines.

Chicago Style Citations

Prior to embarking on an essay outline , it's crucial to understand the correct usage of Chicago-style citations. Below, you'll find illustrative examples of Chicago Style citations for different types of works and authors, utilizing both the Notes and Bibliography (NB) system and the Author-Date (AD) system:

Books - Single Author:

Notes and Bibliography System:

Author's First Name, Last Name, Book Title (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page Number.

• Jane Doe, The Art of Writing (Chicago: University Press, 2020), 45.

Author-Date System:

(Author's Last Name Year, Page Number)

Example: (Doe 2020, 45)

Books - Multiple Authors:

Author 1's First Name Last Name and Author 2's First Name Last Name, Book Title (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page Number.

• John Smith and Sarah Johnson, The Craft of Collaboration (New York: Academic Press, 2019), 72.

(Author 1's Last Name and Author 2's Last Name Year, Page Number)

Example: (Smith and Johnson 2019, 72)

Journal Articles:

Author's First Name Last Name, 'Article Title,' Journal Title Volume, no. Issue (Year): Page Range.

• Mary Brown, 'The Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystem Stability,' Ecology 45, no. 2 (2018): 123-135.

(Author's Last Name Year, Page Range)

Example: (Brown 2018, 123-135)

Author's First Name Last Name, 'Title of Webpage,' Name of Website, Publication Date, URL.

• Mark Johnson, 'The Impact of Climate Change,' Climate News, last modified July 10, 2021, https://www.climatenews.com/impact .

(Author's Last Name Year)

Example: (Johnson 2021)

Edited Books:

Author's First Name Last Name, 'Chapter Title,' in Book Title , ed. Editor's First Name Last Name (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page Range.

• Sarah Adams, 'Feminism in the 21st Century,' in Women's Voices: Essays on Gender Equality , ed. Emily White (Chicago: Academic Press, 2017), 56-71.

Example: (Adams 2017)

Final Remarks

Mastering the Chicago Style paper is essential for academic excellence. Whether you're navigating citations, formatting your text, or crafting compelling block quotes, attention to detail is key. Chicago Style empowers you to present your ideas with precision and credibility, enhancing your scholarly journey. So, embrace its guidelines, elevate your academic writing, and excel in the world of scholarship.

Lost in the Labyrinth of Chicago Style?

Fear not, for our skilled wordsmiths are ready to craft your paper with the finesse and flair it deserves!

Related Articles

The Basics of Chicago Style

by Emmi Conner | Jan 10, 2021 | Academic Writing

Information is taken from the 17th edition Chicago Manual of Style , latest version.

This quick guide will help you understand the basic formatting structure and rules if you’re new to using Chicago style. None of these rules are too complicated, and many of them are similar to the other common essay formatting styles you’ve undoubtedly used in the past. Follow these tips, and you should have no problem doing well in your essay.

Spacing, Font, and Margins for Chicago Style

• Set your font at 1 inch all the way around. 
• You should use size 12 font in Times New Roman. (Feel free to make this your default setting in Microsoft Word.
• Your body text should be double spaced throughout, except for block quotations, which include quotes that span five or more prose lines or quotes containing two or more poetry lines. These more extended block quotes also need to drop down to their line and should be indented throughout the entire quote (more on this later).
• Depending on the document you’re writing, you may need a cover page. Ask your professor if this is required.
• Add your last name and page numbers at the top right of your document. You don’t need this on the cover page, however. 

Parts of a Chicago Style Paper

Most likely, you won’t need to add a title page to your essay; however, if required to include a title page, format it as follows: Center your title about one-third of the way down and place your name, class, and the date a few lines below that. If you don’t have a title page in your paper, your title should appear centered at the first page’s top.

Unless instructed otherwise, label your references page “Bibliography.” Make sure to center that title at the top of the page without bolding or italicizing it. Format your citations in alphabetical order and with a hanging indent, leaving one blank line between them.

For footnotes and endnotes, use Arabic numerals in ascending order throughout your essay. Arabic numerals are simply the normal 0-9 digitals you use every single day. Your notes will count up from 1 to infinity until your paper is complete. 

Research, References, and Plagiarism in Chicago Format

For academic essays, articles, and books, your research should be based almost entirely on scholarly sources and primary sources. You can access sources through university databases or choose from many online with a subscription. Many of these research tools offer students discounts, and your university should offer many free resources for you. Make sure to check with your local libraries before purchasing a database subscription, because they often provide many free research tools.

You must cite all sources that you use in your essay. If someone used your essay, article, or book in the future to provide information essential to their work, you’d want credit for it, right? Of course! So make sure that the researchers, writers, and historians that you borrow from receive credit. Additionally, your university and professors often scan student essays into a plagiarism checker, quickly determining if you’ve used research as your own words. Don’t let this mistake cost you a good grade!

When it comes to footnotes and endnotes, err on the side of caution. Some professors or publishers may not want a ton of footnotes and endnotes cluttering the page, but it’s always better to over-cite than to under-cite. Including too many citations only results in a slightly cluttered page, while not citing the sources means that you plagiarized. 

Here’s a rule to help you avoid plagiarism: If you didn’t know it when you started writing, you should cite it.

This guide should give you all the essential tips needed to research and write an outstanding Chicago style essay! Don’t get overwhelmed with footnotes and endnotes. If you’ve written an essay before that required citations, that’s half the battle! You’re still citing sources the same way as any other essay, except that you’re placing them at the bottom instead of inside the text. 

Emmi holds a BFA in creative writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She’s been published in Adelaide Literary Magazine , and Atlantis Magazine . Emmi has written multiple articles for Writer’s Hive in the academic section with topics about MLA, APA, and Chicago Style essay writing.

7 Tips for Setting Achievable Writing Goals – 2024

Mel Beasley Dec 21, 2023

5 Reasons a Creative Writing Degree is Worth It

Conner DiGiacomo Jul 28, 2023

The 5 Stages of Freytag’s Pyramid (Plus Examples)

Conner DiGiacomo Jul 15, 2023

Latest Articles

7 Unexpected Things You’ll Learn At Writing Workshops

Conner DiGiacomo Jul 8, 2023

Subscribe for Updates, Writing Tips, and More!

Thanks for subscribing we'll send you a confirmation shortly..., pin it on pinterest.

• Print Friendly

Go to Index

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.

Extended Essay: Chicago Citation Syle

• Extended Essay- The Basics
• Step 1. Choose a Subject
• Step 2. Educate yourself!
• Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps
• Identify Keywords
• Do Background Reading
• Define Your Topic
• Conduct Research in a Specific Discipline
• Step 5. Draft a Research Question
• Step 6. Create a Timeline
• Find Articles
• Find Primary Sources
• Get Help from Experts
• Search Engines, Repositories, & Directories
• Databases and Websites by Subject Area
• Create an Annotated Bibliography
• Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
• Chicago Citation Syle
• MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
• Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself
• Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay
• Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test
• Conducting Secondary Research
• Conducting Primary Research
• Formal vs. Informal Writing
• Presentation Requirements
• Evaluating Your Work

Getting Started

The Chicago Manual of Style is often used to document sources for research papers. The purpose of documentation is to:

• Identify (cite) other people’s ideas and information used within your essay.
• Indicate the authors or sources of these in a  Bibliography  at the end of your paper.

T he Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.) recognizes two basic documentation systems: (1) Notes and Bibliography (used for papers in the humanities, e.g. literature, history, political science, and the arts) and (2) Author-Date (used for papers in the physical, natural, and social sciences).  This guide is intended as a guideline for the Notes and Bibliography system only.

Be sure to check with your instructor to find out which citation style you should use for an assignment.

See these sections for information and examples that will help you to cite the sources that you come across during your research.

General Guidelines Books Articles Websites Audiovisual Media Images and Works of Art Other ...

The examples in this guide cover frequently used citation forms only. While this guide provides helpful examples, it may not be perfect. For more detailed information refer to  The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.) ,  available at the librarian's desk at the WSA Library.  See the PDF handouts and website links in the Learn More box below, or ask for help!

How to Cite in Chicago/Turabian Style: A Three Minute Tutorial

Formatting of papers in Chicago Style:

Citations and bibliographies in Chicago Style:

Acknowledgement

This guide based on templates from Red Deer College Library in Alberta, Canada and the Library at Montana State University, Billings.

Chicago Manual of Style

This guide is based on the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style.

Fo r citation exam ples and more inform ation, consult the WSA Library copy of  The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.) ,  located at the librarian's desk. 

The librarian is always happy to help you!

• << Previous: Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
• Next: MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations >>
• Last Updated: Feb 2, 2024 1:39 PM
• URL: https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/ee

Essay Writing Guide

Essay Format

Essay Format: A Basic Guide With Examples

10 min read

People also read

An Easy Guide to Writing an Essay

Learn How to Write An Essay in Simple Steps

A Complete 500 Word Essay Writing Guide

A Catalog of 500+ Essay Topics for Students

Explore Different Types of Essays, their Purpose, and Sub-types

Learn How to Create a Perfect Essay Outline

How to Start an Essay- A Step-by-Step Guide

A Complete Essay Introduction Writing Guide With Examples

20+ Hook Examples to Grab Reader’s Attention

The Ultimate Guide to Writing Powerful Thesis Statement

20+ Thesis Statement Examples for Different Types of Essays?

How to Write a Topic Sentence: Purpose, Tips & Examples

Learn How to Write a Conclusion in Simple Steps

Transition Words For Essays - The Ultimate List

4 Types of Sentences - Definition & Examples

Writing Conventions - Definition, Tips & Examples

Essay Writing Problems - 5 Most Paralyzing Problems

How to Make an Essay Longer: 14 Easy Ways

How to Title an Essay - A Detailed Guide

1000 Word Essay - A Simple Guide With Examples

Are you having trouble making your essay look just right? Lots of students find formatting tricky, so you're not alone. 

This guide is here to help you figure out how to format your essay. We've got examples of essays in APA, MLA, Chicago, and other styles to make it easier for you to learn.

So, keep reading – we've got you covered!

• 1. What is an Essay Format?
• 2. How To Format Essay in MLA Style
• 3. How to Format Essay in APA
• 4. How to Format Essay in Chicago Style
• 5. Formatting In-Text Citations: APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles
• 6. How to Determine What Format to Follow

What is an Essay Format?

An essay format refers to a set of guidelines that decides how the elements of your paper should be arranged. No matter what type of essay you’re writing, formatting is an essential step in the essay writing process.

The format guidelines cover the essay structure, title, citations, and the basic outline of the essay. 

When formatting a paper, there are certain things that you need to pay attention to. These include the structure of an essay, title page, works cited page, and citation styles . 

Here is a basic essay format template:

How To Format Essay in MLA Style

Formatting an essay in MLA style is a common requirement in many academic settings, particularly in the humanities. 

MLA provides guidelines for various aspects of your essay, from font and margins to citations and bibliography. Here’s an essay format MLA you can use as a reference:

MLA Essay Format Template

• Title Page: MLA does not typically require a separate title page. Instead, place your title at the top of the first page, centered, and do not use bold, italics, or underline for the title. Below the title, include your name, the instructor's name, the course name and number, and the due date, each on a separate line, left-aligned.
• Header and Page Numbers: Create a header with your last name and page number in the upper right corner of every page, half an inch from the top, and flush with the right margin. For example: Smith 1.
• Margins and Spacing: Set all margins to 1 inch, and use double-spacing throughout the essay.
• Font and Size: Use a legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
• Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches, which can be done automatically using the "Tab" key.
• Paragraphs: Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks within sentences.
• Title: Place the title of your essay (centered) at the top of the first page. Do not use bold, italics, or underlining for the title. Capitalize major words.
• Citations: MLA uses in-text citations to acknowledge sources. When quoting or paraphrasing, include the author's last name and the page number (e.g., Smith 45).
• Works Cited Page: At the end of your essay, include a separate page titled "Works Cited." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific MLA citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample MLA Essay

How to Format Essay in APA

Formatting an essay in APA style is commonly used in the social sciences and psychology. 

APA provides a set of guidelines for various elements of your essay, including formatting, citations, and references. Here’s how to format essay in apa:

APA Essay Format Template

• Title Page: The title page in APA includes: Title of the Essay (centered, bold, and in title case) Your Name (centered) Institutional Affiliation (centered) Running head: [Shortened Title] (flush left, in uppercase) Page Number (flush right)
• Header and Page Numbers: Create a header with the title of your essay in all capital letters, followed by a colon and a shortened version of the title (up to 50 characters), in the upper left corner of every page. The page number should be in the upper right corner.
• Font and Size: Use a clear and readable font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
• Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Use a hanging indent for references on the reference page.
• Citations: Use in-text citations to acknowledge sources. Include the author's last name and the publication year (e.g., Smith, 2023) when quoting or paraphrasing.
• Title: Use bold and title case for the title of your essay on the title page. On subsequent pages, use a shortened version of the title (in uppercase) as the header.
• References Page: At the end of your essay, create a separate page titled "References." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific APA citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample APA Essay

How to Format Essay in Chicago Style

Formatting an essay in Chicago style, often used in history and some other humanities disciplines, requires specific guidelines for citations and formatting. Here are the guidelines to format your essay in Chicago style:

Chicago Essay Format Template

• Title Page: The title page in Chicago style includes: Title of the Essay (centered, in headline-style capitalization) Your Name (centered) Course Name and Number (centered) Instructor's Name (centered) Date (centered)
• Margins and Spacing: Set all margins to 1 inch. Use double-spacing throughout the essay.
• Page Numbers: Number pages in the upper right corner of each page, beginning with the first page of the main text (usually page 1). Page numbers should be in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.).
• Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Use a block paragraph style with no extra space between paragraphs.
• Citations: In Chicago style, you have two citation options: footnotes and endnotes. In your text, place a superscript number (e.g., ^1) at the end of the sentence containing the cited information. Corresponding footnotes or endnotes should provide full citation details.
• Title: Use headline-style capitalization for the title of your essay (e.g., "The History of Ancient Civilizations").
• Bibliography: At the end of your essay, include a separate page titled "Bibliography." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific Chicago citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample Chicago Essay

Formatting In-Text Citations: APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles

An in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of your essay or research paper that indicates the source of information you have incorporated into your writing.

Each of the formatting style have a unique way for adding in-text citations:

In APA style, remember to include the author's last name, the publication date, and the page number (if applicable) within parentheses.

Example: "The impact of climate change on biodiversity is a growing concern (Smith, 2020, p. 27)."

In MLA style, provide the author's last name and the page number without any punctuation between them.

Example: "The impact of climate change on biodiversity is a growing concern (Jones 42)."

Chicago Style Format

The Chicago Manual of Style offers two distinct options for in-text citations:

• Author-Date Style: In this approach, you place your citations within parentheses directly within the text. This style involves citing the author's last name and the publication date within the body of your text. Example: (Smith 2021) or "According to Smith (2021),..."
• Notes and Bibliography Style: This style utilizes numbered footnotes or endnotes to provide citations. Instead of placing citations within the text, you include a superscript number at the end of the relevant sentence, which corresponds to a full citation located in a footnote at the bottom of the page (or endnotes at the end of the document). Example: Johnson argues that "the data is unconvincing."¹ Nevertheless, Smith contends that the study makes "a compelling case" for this plan of action.²

Each of these Chicago citation styles has its unique advantages and is chosen based on the requirements of the assignment or the preferences of the writer.

How to Determine What Format to Follow

Selecting the appropriate citation format for your academic writing is essential to ensure that your work meets the expected standards. To make an informed decision, consider the following factors:

Subject and Discipline

• APA Style: Primarily used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. It is also common in business and nursing disciplines.
• MLA Style: Commonly employed in humanities disciplines, including literature, languages, and cultural studies. It's widely used for papers related to literature and the arts.
• Chicago Style: Used in history, some social sciences, and certain humanities disciplines. Chicago offers both author-date and notes and bibliography styles, making it versatile for various subjects.

Professor's Instructions

Always adhere to your professor's specific instructions regarding citation style and writing convention . Professors may have preferences or requirements based on the nature of the course or assignment.

For instance, an English professor might prefer MLA for literary analysis, while a psychology professor may opt for APA to encourage familiarity with research norms. However, when formatting styles are not specified by the instructor, you can follow whatever is appropriate for your subject.

Institutional Guidelines

Your educational institution may have established guidelines or standards for citation formats. 

Check your institution's style guide or consult with academic advisors to ensure compliance with their specific requirements.

By considering the subject matter, your professor's preferences, and your institution's guidelines, you can confidently choose the appropriate citation style to enhance the clarity and professionalism of your academic writing.

Now that you've gained a solid understanding of the basics for three major formatting styles, you're well-prepared to tackle your essay formatting with confidence. 

Whether you're crafting an essay, a research paper, or any academic document, these formatting principles will help you present your ideas professionally.

If you find yourself in a time crunch, our expert writers are here to help you tackle your academic challenges in no time. 

With our essay writing service , you get reliable help with any type of assignment, even with tight deadlines. Our writers are sure to deliver you 100% original papers that meet your requirements. 

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Generate accurate Chicago citations for free

• Knowledge Base
• Chicago Style
• Chicago Style Footnotes | Citation Format & Examples

Chicago Style Footnotes | Citation Format & Examples

Published on September 18, 2019 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on December 5, 2022.

The notes and bibliography style is one of two citation options provided by the Chicago Manual of Style . Each time a source is quoted or paraphrased , a superscript number is placed in the text, which corresponds to a footnote or endnote containing details of the source .

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page, while endnotes appear on a separate page at the end of the text.

Pay attention to the punctuation (e.g., commas , quotation marks ) in your footnotes.

Chicago Reference Generator

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Full notes and short notes, placement of footnotes, content of chicago footnotes, footnote examples for different source types, footnotes vs endnotes, frequently asked questions about chicago style footnotes.

There are two types of footnote in Chicago style: full notes and short notes.

Full notes contain the full publication details of the source. The first citation of each source should be a full note.

Full note example

1. Virginia Woolf, “Modern Fiction,” in Selected Essays , ed. David Bradshaw (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008), 11.

Short notes contain only the author’s last name, the title (shortened if longer than four words), and the page number (if relevant). They are used for all subsequent citations of the same source. It’s also acceptable to use “ ibid. ” instead to refer to the immediately preceding source.

Short note example

2. Woolf, “Modern Fiction,” 11.

The guidelines for use of short and full notes can vary across different fields and institutions. Sometimes you might be required to use a full note for every citation, or to use a short note every time as long as all sources appear in the Chicago style bibliography . Check with your instructor if you’re unsure.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Footnotes should be used whenever a source is quoted or paraphrased in the text. They appear at the bottom of the relevant page, corresponding to reference numbers in the text. You can easily insert footnotes in Microsoft Word .

The reference number appears in superscript at the end of the clause or sentence it refers to. It is placed after any punctuation except a dash :

Johnson argues that “the data is unconvincing.” 1

Johnson argues that “the data is unconvincing” 1 —but Smith contends that …

Notes should be numbered consecutively, starting from 1, across the whole text. Your first citation is marked with a 1, your second with a 2, and so on. The numbering does not restart with a new page or section (although in a book-length text it may restart with each new chapter).

The footnote contains the number of the citation followed by a period and then the citation itself. The citation always includes the author’s name and the title of the text, and it always ends with a period. Full notes also include all the relevant publication information in parentheses (which varies by source type ).

If you quote a source or refer to a specific passage, include a page number or range. However, if the source doesn’t have page numbers, or if you’re referring to the text as a whole, you can omit the page number.

In short notes, titles of more than four words are shortened. Shorten them in a way that retains the keyword(s) so that the text is still easily recognizable for the reader:

1. Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus , ed. M.K. Joseph (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998), 91. 2. Shelley, Frankenstein , 91.

Combining multiple citations

Do not place multiple footnotes at the same point in your text (e.g. 1, 2, 3 ). If you need to cite multiple sources in one sentence, you can combine the citations into one footnote, separated by semicolons :

1. Hulme, “Romanticism and Classicism”; Eliot, The Waste Land ; Woolf, “Modern Fiction,” 11.

Sources with multiple authors

Footnotes for sources with two or three authors should include all the authors’ names. When there are four or more authors, add “ et al. ” (Latin for “and others”) after the first author’s name.

Missing information

You sometimes won’t have all the information required for your citation. You might be missing page numbers, the author’s name, or the publication date.

If one of your sources (e.g., a website ) has no page numbers, but you still think it’s important to cite a specific part of the text, other locators like headings , chapters or paragraphs can be used. Abbreviate words like “paragraph” to “par.” and “chapter” to “chap.”, and put headings in quotation marks :

1. Johnson, “Literature Review,” chap. 2.1 . 2. Smith, “Thematic Analysis,” under “Methodology.”

If the source lacks a stated publication date, the abbreviation “n.d.” (no date) should replace the year in a full note:

1. Smith, Data Analysis (New York: Norton, n.d. ), 293.

If a text doesn’t list its author’s name, the organization that published it can be treated as the author in your citation:

1. Scribbr , “Chicago Style Citation.”

If you use a website name as an author, you may end up repeating the same information twice in one citation. Omit the website name from its usual place if you’ve already listed it in place of the author.

Short notes usually look similar regardless of source type—author, title, page number. However, the information included in full notes varies according to the source you’re citing. Below are examples for several common source types, showing how the footnote should look in Chicago format .

Chicago book citation

Italicize the book title. If the book states an edition (other than the first), include this and abbreviate it (e.g., 2nd ed., rev. ed.). Add the URL if you consulted the book online instead of in a physical copy.

Chicago book chapter citation

Sometimes you’ll cite from one chapter in a book containing texts by multiple authors—for example, a compilation of essays. In this case, you’ll want to cite the relevant chapter rather than the whole book.

The chapter title should be enclosed in quotation marks , while the book title should be italicized. The short note only contains the chapter title.

The author is the one who wrote the specific chapter you’re citing. The editor of the whole book is listed toward the end of the footnote (with the abbreviation “ed.”), and left out of the short note.

Chicago journal article citation

The article title should be enclosed in quotation marks, while the journal name should be italicized. Volume and issue numbers identify which edition of the journal the source appears in.

A DOI is a digital object identifier. This is generally more reliable than the URL when linking to online journal content.

Chicago website citation

The page title should be enclosed in quotation marks. Italicization is not used for website names.

If the publication date is unknown, you can instead list the date when you accessed the page at the end of the citation (e.g., accessed on September 10, 2019).

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

All of the above information also applies to endnotes. Endnotes are less commonly used than footnotes, but they’re a perfectly valid option.

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page they refer to.

• Footnotes allow the reader to immediately check your citations as they read …
• … but if you have a lot of footnotes, they can be distracting and take up space on the page.

Endnotes appear in their own section at the end of the text, before the bibliography.

• Endnotes take up less space in the body of your text and reduce distraction …
• … but they are less accessible, as the reader has to flip to the end to check each note.

Endnote citations look exactly the same as those in footnotes. Unless you’ve been told which one to use, choose whichever you prefer. Just use one or the other consistently.

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the relevant page.  Endnotes appear in a list at the end of the text, just before the reference list or bibliography. Don’t mix footnotes and endnotes in the same document: choose one or the other and use them consistently.

In Chicago notes and bibliography style , you can use either footnotes or endnotes, and citations follow the same format in either case.

In APA and MLA style , footnotes or endnotes are not used for citations, but they can be used to provide additional information.

In Chicago notes and bibliography style , the usual standard is to use a full note for the first citation of each source, and short notes for any subsequent citations of the same source.

However, your institution’s guidelines may differ from the standard rule. In some fields, you’re required to use a full note every time, whereas in some other fields you can use short notes every time, as long as all sources are listed in your bibliography . If you’re not sure, check with your instructor.

In Chicago author-date style , your text must include a reference list . It appears at the end of your paper and gives full details of every source you cited.

In notes and bibliography style, you use Chicago style footnotes to cite sources; a bibliography is optional but recommended. If you don’t include one, be sure to use a full note for the first citation of each source.

Page numbers should be included in your Chicago in-text citations when:

• You’re quoting from the text.
• You’re paraphrasing a particular passage.
• You’re referring to information from a specific section.

When you’re referring to the overall argument or general content of a source, it’s unnecessary to include page numbers.

In a Chicago style footnote , list up to three authors. If there are more than three, name only the first author, followed by “ et al. “

In the bibliography , list up to 10 authors. If there are more than 10, list the first seven followed by “et al.”

The same rules apply in Chicago author-date style .

To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr’s free Chicago reference generator .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2022, December 05). Chicago Style Footnotes | Citation Format & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 7, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/chicago-style/footnotes/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, creating a chicago style bibliography | format & examples, chicago in-text citations | styles, format & examples, what are footnotes | guide with word instructions, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

CMOS NB Sample Paper

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Media File: CMOS NB Sample Paper

This resource is enhanced by an Acrobat PDF file. Download the free Acrobat Reader

This resource contains the Notes and Bibliography (NB) sample paper for the Chicago Manual of Style 17 th edition. To download the sample paper, click this link .