chicago style research paper proposal template

How to Write a Proposal for a Research Paper in Chicago Style

Leah williams.

Writing a research paper requires focus and attention to detail, and the Chicago Manual of Style lays down specific guidelines for students to follow. This is because since 1906, the Chicago Manual of Style has been one of the most widely used guides in the United States. To get started on their assignment, many students prepare a research proposal so the instructor can get an idea of what direction the paper is heading in and if the student is on the right track.

Develop an idea. The key to a well-researched paper is a good topic. Follow your professor's guidelines for the paper and select a topic that is within those instructions. Since Chicago style is often used for humanities courses papers, it is likely that your focus will be on a social science topic.

Once you have selected your topic, you should begin organizing your research. Plan on what kinds of materials you would need to support your paper's main idea. One helpful tool is to write down facts on index cards. Number the cards to correspond with the source that the information originated from. You will be able to quickly reference these sources when you are organizing your thoughts for your proposal.

After your research is organized, it is time to group the pieces of information for a proposal outline. The outline describes how the student will write the research paper. For the proposal, you will want to include your paper's main idea, how you plan to support this idea and a conclusion to wrap up all the details collected through your research. While you do not want to include everything that you are using for the assignment, the proposal should still be a condensed version of the research paper.

Use examples and interesting facts for your proposal. Your intent is to provide a preliminary look as to what will be further described in the paper. You want your professor and other readers to want to read more about your topic.

Format according to Chicago-style rules. Chicago style requires one-inch margins on each side of the page and double spacing for the body of the text (except for block quotes). Add page numbers in the top right-hand corner. Endnotes, footnotes and references should be single spaced.

Proofread your proposal for grammar mistakes. Chicago style has strict rules for grammar and punctuation. Hyphens can be particularly tricky. For example, Chicago style requires a writer to use "rock-and-roll" when the phrase is used as an adjective and "rock and roll" when used as a noun. Glance over your work to ensure that you have no typographical errors or misspellings that could not be picked up from spell checker software. Also, pay attention to word flow to make sure that you were able to correctly explain your argument points. You will also want to pay attention to margins, citation uses and other elements of writing that might have been missed during past revisions.

Make sure you cite your sources correctly. One of the main differences between Chicago and the other style guides is how each guidebook requires citations for references. Most of the lines end in periods. For example, a copy of the "The Chicago Manual of Style" would read like this: University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style: For Authors, Editors, and Copywriters. 14th ed., rev. and expanded. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993.

• Plagiarism is taking someone else's work and representing it as your own. Many colleges do not tolerate acts of plagiarism, and the results of someone caught engaging in it may include failing the assignment or the course. Some schools even expel plagiarism offenders. Be sure you are following the proper citation guidelines outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style.
• If you have any questions about your assignment, contact your professor or, if available, your class graduate assistant. Both would be able to clear up any questions you may have.
• 1 Chicago Manual of Style Online: Chicago Style Q and A: Hyphens, En Dashes, Em Dashes

About the Author

Leah Williams has written for many newspapers, magazines, blogs and websites, including the "Mt. Vernon Register-News" and "Nightlife." She has her bachelor's degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University and is now working on her graduate degree. Williams likes to write about parenting, arts and entertainment, education and features.

Related Articles

MLA Format for Group Projects

How to Reference Excel Worksheets in APA Format

Do You Underline Song Titles in Essay Papers?

How to Write the Date in a Paper

How Do I Check My Paper for Plagiarism?

APA Style For Quoting More Than 40 Words

How to Write a Table of Contents in APA Style

Similarities Between Essays & Research Papers

The APA Format for a Problem & Purpose Statement for...

How to Cite the Qur'an in MLA

Why Is Being Well-Versed in APA Style Important?

How to Make a Roman Numeral Outline

How to Write a Paper on Your Computer

Challenges Facing Essay Writing

How to Write a Bibliography Using the Chicago Manual...

How to Write the Title of a News Article in a Paper

How to Reference an Appendix Using the APA Format

How to Make Words Underlined and Extend the Width of...

How to Cite in an Outline Using APA Format

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

• Accessibility
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Manage Preferences

© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .

• 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.

5-minute read

Free Email Newsletter Template (2024)

Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...

6-minute read

How to Write a Nonprofit Grant Proposal

If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7-minute read

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

4-minute read

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

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

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.

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 .

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Research paper
• Research Paper Format | APA, MLA, & Chicago Templates

Research Paper Format | APA, MLA, & Chicago Templates

Published on November 19, 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on January 20, 2023.

The formatting of a research paper is different depending on which style guide you’re following. In addition to citations , APA, MLA, and Chicago provide format guidelines for things like font choices, page layout, format of headings and the format of the reference page.

Scribbr offers free Microsoft Word templates for the most common formats. Simply download and get started on your paper.

APA |  MLA | Chicago author-date | Chicago notes & bibliography

• Generate an automatic table of contents
• Generate a list of tables and figures
• Ensure consistent paragraph formatting
• Insert page numbering

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Formatting an apa paper, formatting an mla paper, formatting a chicago paper, frequently asked questions about research paper formatting.

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in APA Style are as follows:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial.
• Set 1 inch page margins.
• Apply double line spacing.
• If submitting for publication, insert a APA running head on every page.
• Indent every new paragraph ½ inch.

Watch the video below for a quick guide to setting up the format in Google Docs.

The image below shows how to format an APA Style title page for a student paper.

Running head

If you are submitting a paper for publication, APA requires you to include a running head on each page. The image below shows you how this should be formatted.

For student papers, no running head is required unless you have been instructed to include one.

APA provides guidelines for formatting up to five levels of heading within your paper. Level 1 headings are the most general, level 5 the most specific.

Reference page

APA Style citation requires (author-date) APA in-text citations throughout the text and an APA Style reference page at the end. The image below shows how the reference page should be formatted.

Note that the format of reference entries is different depending on the source type. You can easily create your citations and reference list using the free APA Citation Generator.

Generate APA citations for free

Scribbr Citation Checker New

The AI-powered Citation Checker helps you avoid common mistakes such as:

• Missing commas and periods
• Incorrect usage of “et al.”
• Ampersands (&) in narrative citations
• Missing reference entries

The main guidelines for writing an MLA style paper are as follows:

• Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman.
• Use title case capitalization for headings .

Check out the video below to see how to set up the format in Google Docs.

On the first page of an MLA paper, a heading appears above your title, featuring some key information:

• Your full name
• Your instructor’s or supervisor’s name
• The course name or number
• The due date of the assignment

Page header

A header appears at the top of each page in your paper, including your surname and the page number.

Works Cited page

MLA in-text citations appear wherever you refer to a source in your text. The MLA Works Cited page appears at the end of your text, listing all the sources used. It is formatted as shown below.

You can easily create your MLA citations and save your Works Cited list with the free MLA Citation Generator.

Generate MLA citations for free

The main guidelines for writing a paper in Chicago style (also known as Turabian style) are:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman.
• Use 1 inch margins or larger.
• Place page numbers in the top right or bottom center.

Chicago doesn’t require a title page , but if you want to include one, Turabian (based on Chicago) presents some guidelines. Lay out the title page as shown below.

Bibliography or reference list

Chicago offers two citation styles : author-date citations plus a reference list, or footnote citations plus a bibliography. Choose one style or the other and use it consistently.

The reference list or bibliography appears at the end of the paper. Both styles present this page similarly in terms of formatting, as shown below.

To format a paper in APA Style , follow these guidelines:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial
• Set 1 inch page margins
• Apply double line spacing
• Include a title page
• If submitting for publication, insert a running head on every page
• Indent every new paragraph ½ inch
• Apply APA heading styles
• Cite your sources with APA in-text citations
• List all sources cited on a reference page at the end

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:

• Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman
• Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page
• Center the paper’s title
• Use title case capitalization for headings
• Cite your sources with MLA in-text citations
• List all sources cited on a Works Cited page at the end

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in Chicago style are to:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman
• Use 1 inch margins or larger
• Place page numbers in the top right or bottom center
• Cite your sources with author-date citations or Chicago footnotes
• Include a bibliography or reference list

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. (2023, January 20). Research Paper Format | APA, MLA, & Chicago Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/research-paper-format/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, apa format for academic papers and essays, mla format for academic papers and essays, chicago style format for papers | requirements & examples, what is your plagiarism score.

How to Format Your Research Paper

• APA 7 Paper Format
• MLA Paper Format

Writing Your Paper: Chicago

Chicago style papers.

• Hanging Indents
• Ask a Librarian

Chicago Style Resources

• How Do I Format My Class Paper in Chicago Style? If your instructor has specific requirements for the format of your research paper, check with them before preparing your final draft. The most common formatting is presented here.

Things to know before you begin:

• Font:  Times New Roman  
• Font Size:  12 point
• Margins:  1 inch
• Paragraphs: All paragraphs should be indented.
• Spacing: All of the text in the body of your paper should be double-spaced.

Typical Chicago style papers have three sections:

• Bibliography

See the tabs below for a breakdown of how each portion should be formatted.

• Sample Papers

Below you will find an example of an accurately formatted CMOS paper. 

• Sample Paper Chicago Style - PDF Click here to see a sample of an accurately formatted CMOS paper.
• Sample Paper Chicago Style - Word Click here to see a sample of an accurately formatted CMOS paper.

• Your title should be centered and place a third of the way down the page. Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
• Capitalize all the words in your title. If there is a subtitle, place it on the second line.
• Place your course name first, then your name, then the due date of the paper. This should be double-spaced and placed in the bottom third of your paper. 

• Start the body of your paper on the first line of a new page.
• Insert the page number in the top right corner of the page using the header function.
• CMS uses footnotes. Place the footnote after any punctuation. Each number must have an entry at the bottom of the page.

• Center the word "Bibliography" on the first line of a new page.
• Your citations should be alphabetical.
• Each entry is single-spaced with one blank line separating entries.
• Be sure to use a hanging indent for any citations that require more than one line.

Need help formatting your Chicago/Turabian style citations using the 17th edition of the  Chicago Manual of Style ? Click the image or link below to go to the citation guide.

• Chicago Style Citations

Need help learning what hanging indents are and how to create them using Google Docs or Microsoft Word? 

• Hanging Indents This page gives a brief description of what they are, where to find information on when and how to properly use them, and also video tutorials on how to create them.

Need help learning what footnotes are and  how to create them  using Google Docs or Microsoft Word? 

• Footnotes This page gives a brief description of what they are, where to find information on when and how to properly use them, and also video tutorials on how to create them.
• << Previous: MLA Paper Format
• Next: Footnotes >>
• Last Updated: Jul 19, 2024 3:41 PM
• URL: https://necc.mass.libguides.com/formatting

To cite this LibGuide use the following templates:

APA : Northern Essex Community College Library. (Date updated). Title of page . Title of LibGuide. URL

MLA : Northern Essex Community College Library. "Title of Page." Title of LibGuide, Date updated, URL.

Chicago Research Paper Formatting

What is chicago, terminology when searching the databases.

• Chicago 17th Template & Paper Sample
• Finding Sources for Your Paper
• Additional Resources

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) presents two basic documentation systems: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date. Choosing between the two often depends on what your professor requests. Here is an explanation of the differences: 

Notes and Bibliography: Commonly used in the humanities ,  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.

Author-date: Commonly used in the sciences and social sciences ,  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.

Turabian style  follows the CMOS patterns of documentation with slight modifications suited toward student texts.

 Please check out the Chicago 17th Template & Paper Sample tab for a template of each style! 

Assignment Guidelines and/or Rubric : What is required in the assignment or how the assignment will be graded. Read these before searching. The assignment guidelines/rubric will tell you what limits to apply and what type of research material you need to use in the assignment. Refer back to the assignment guidelines/rubric frequently. 

Full Text : Allows you to read the complete article 

Peer Reviewed : Finds articles that have gone through a peer review process prior to publication, which indicates quality research. May also be called scholarly articles or refereed articles. 

Publication Date : Allows you to limit a search by date range. Read your assignment guidelines to determine if you need to use this limit. May need to go to the Advanced Search in a database to find this limit. 

Advanced Search : Allows you to add additional limits not found on the Basic Search page

Permalink : A stable link that lets you return to that page. When searching in the databases, look for a permalink to save the page. Saving the link at the top of the page or bookmarking the page will not  work, and you could lose your resource(s). 

Cite/Citation : This symbol varies depending on what database you are using. Make sure to choose the correct citation style (e.g. MLA Style, APA Style, Chicago Style) for your assignment. Also, these automatically-generated citations are not necessarily correct. Check it using Polk State Libraries' Citing Sources guide. 

Email : This symbol lets you email the article (does not need to be your school email). Also, depending on the database, sometimes you can specify if you want the automatically-generated citation included with the article. It is a good idea to check your email to make sure you received the article before closing out of the browser. 

• Next: Chicago 17th Template & Paper Sample >>
• Last Updated: Apr 17, 2024 11:25 AM
• URL: https://libguides.polk.edu/chicago

Polk State College is committed to equal access/equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance .

Chicago Citation Guide (17th Edition): Sample Paper, Bibliography, & Annotated Bibliography

• What Kind of Source Is This?
• Advertisements
• Books, eBooks & Pamphlets
• Book Reviews
• Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings
• Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
• Government Documents
• Images, Artwork, and Maps
• Interviews and Emails (Personal Communications)
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Primary Sources
• Religious Texts
• Social Media
• Videos & DVDs
• Works Quoted in Another Source
• No Author, No Date etc.
• Sample Paper, Bibliography, & Annotated Bibliography
• Powerpoint Presentations

On this Page

General paper formatting guidelines, quick rules for a chicago bibliography.

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

Writing an Evaluative Annotation

Tips on Writing & Formatting an Annotated Bibliography

Sample Paper with Bibliography

• Chicago Sample Paper

This sample paper can be used as a template to set up your assignment. It includes a title page, main body paragraph with footnotes, and a bibliography.

Sample Paper with Appendix

• Chicago Sample Paper Template - with Appendix

If you are adding an appendix to your paper there are a few rules to follow that comply with Chicago guidelines:

• The Appendix appears before the Bibliography
• If you have more than one appendix you would name the first appendix Appendix A, the second Appendix B, etc.
• The appendices should appear in the order that the information is mentioned in your essay
• Each appendix begins on a new page

Sample Annotated Bibliography

This sample annotated bibliography shows you the structure you should use to write a Chicago style annotated bibliography and gives examples of evaluative and summary annotations.

It can be used as a template to set up your assignment.

• End-of-Paper Checklist

Finished your assignment? Use this checklist to be sure you haven't missed any information needed for Chicago style.

Useful Links for Annotated Bibliographies

Overview of purpose and form of annotated bibliographies from the Purdue OWL.

Includes a sample annotation from a Chicago Manual of Style annotated bibliography. From the Purdue OWL.

An example of an MLA annotated bibliography. From the Purdue OWL.

Assemble your paper in the following order:

• Body of paper
• Appendix (if needed)
• Bibliography

Use Times New Roman, Size 12 (unless otherwise instructed).

Margins and Indents

Your margins should be 1 inch on all sides.

Indent new paragraphs by one-half inch.

Double-space the main text of your paper.

Single-space the footnotes and bibliography, but add a blank line between entries.

Start numbering your pages on the  second  page of your paper (don't include the title page).

Put your page numbers in the header of the first page of text (skip the title page), beginning with page number 1. Continue numbering your pages to the end of the bibliography.

Place the footnote number at the end of the sentence in which you have quoted or paraphrased information from another source. The footnote number should be in superscript, and be placed  after  any punctuation.

Put your footnotes in the footer section of the page.

Your research paper ends with a list of all the sources cited in the text of the paper. This is called a bibliography.

See an example in the "Sample Paper with Bibliography" box on this page.

Here are nine quick rules for this list:

• Start a new page for your bibliography (e.g. If your paper is 4 pages long, start your bibliography on page 5).
• Centre the title, Bibliography, at the top of the page and do not bold or underline it. Look for the alignment option in Word. 
• Leave two blank lines between the title and the first entry on your list.
• Single-space the list, but leave one blank line between entries.
• Start the first line of each citation at the left margin; each subsequent line should be indented (also known as a "hanging indent").
• Put your list in alphabetical order. Alphabetize the list by the first word in the citation. In most cases, the first word will be the author’s last name. Where the author is unknown, alphabetize by the first word in the title, ignoring the words a, an, the.
• For each author, give the last name followed by a comma and the first name followed by a period.
• Italicize the titles of full works , such as: books, videos (films and television shows), artwork, images, maps, journals, newspapers, magazines.
• Do not italicize titles of parts of works , such as: articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals / essays, poems, short stories or chapter titles from a book / chapters or sections of an Internet document. Instead, use quotation marks.

What Is An Annotated Bibliography?

An  annotated bibliography  is a list of citations for various books, articles, and other sources on a topic. The annotated bibliography looks like a Works Cited page but includes an annotation after each source cited. An annotation is a short summary and/or critical evaluation of a source. Annotated bibliographies can be part of a larger research project, or can be a stand-alone report in itself.

Types of Annotations

 A  summary annotation  describes the source by answering the following questions: who wrote the document, what the document discusses, when and where was the document written, why was the document produced, and how was it provided to the public. The focus is on description. 

 An  evaluative annotation  includes a summary as listed above but also critically assesses the work for accuracy, relevance, and quality. Evaluative annotations can help you learn about your topic, develop a thesis statement, decide if a specific source will be useful for your assignment, and determine if there is enough valid information available to complete your project. The focus is on description and evaluation.

• Cite the source using Chicago style.
• Describe the main ideas, arguments, themes, theses, or methodology, and identify the intended audience.
• Explain the author’s expertise, point of view, and any bias he/she may have.
• Compare to other sources on the same topic that you have also cited to show similarities and differences.
• Explain why each source is useful for your research topic and how it relates to your topic.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each source.
• Identify the observations or conclusions of the author. 

Remember: Annotations are original descriptions that you create after reading the document. When researching, you may find journal articles that provide a short summary at the beginning of the text. This article abstract is similar to a summary annotation. You may consult the abstract when creating your evaluative annotation, but never simply copy it as that would be considered plagiarism. 

Tips on Writing & Formatting an Annotated Bibliography

• Each annotation should be one paragraph, between three to six sentences long (about 150- 200 words).
• Start with the same format as a regular Bibliography list.
• All lines should be double-spaced. Do not add an extra line between the citations.
• If your list of citations is especially long, you can organize it by topic.
• Try to be objective, and give explanations if you state any opinions.
• Use the third person (e.g., he, she, the author) instead of the first person (e.g., I, my, me)
• << Previous: No Author, No Date etc.
• Next: Powerpoint Presentations >>
• Last Updated: Apr 15, 2024 11:30 AM
• URL: https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/chicago

Chicago-style outline

Published February 16, 2021. Updated August 15, 2021.

This guide covers what an outline is and how to create one in Chicago style. It follows the guidance given in the 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style , but this guide is not linked to the CMOS .

Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

What is an outline?

Chicago style–outline basics.

• sample outline

For help writing your essay, research paper , or other project, check out these writing tips .

Your instructor might ask you to develop an outline before you begin writing. An outline helps you to organize your paper and see how all the elements in your paper interact. It will give an idea of how your paper will look in its final form, but you do not need to strictly follow the outline once you’ve made it. You might decide to reorder elements in your paper or add new sections. You can always update your outline to reflect your new structure. Ultimately, the outline is a writing aid.

Outlines can be simple notes or have extremely detailed entries. If your instructor has not specified how detailed your outline should be, do what works best for you. You may prefer the freedom of brief bullet points or you might write better with a more detailed outline.

An outline typically groups the main ideas of your paper into groups and sub-groups that are related to your primary topic. You might have points and sub-points for your groups and sub-groups.

Chicago’s guidelines for creating an outline are fairly flexible. One key requirement for an outline in Chicago is consistency. This means that you should make sure your numbering and formatting are consistent throughout your outline.

Chicago also has a few recommendations for formatting your outline. You may use both numbers and letters as divisions in your outline (just be consistent!). If your divisions contain two digits, align the element vertically by the second digit.

If a line runs over, you should align the runover lines with the first word following the number or letter used as a dividing element. Levels within an outline are often distinguished by both indentation and punctuation.

Sample outline

While outlines can vary in format depending on your topic and how complicated your argument is, the outline for a basic, five-paragraph essay might look something like this:

I. Introduction

II. First Paragraph

A. First Point

• First Sub-Point of First Point
• Second Sub-Point of First Point

B. Second Point

• First Sub-Point of Second Point
• Second Sub-Point of Second Point

III. Second Paragraph

IV. Third Paragraph

V. Conclusion

Here’s an example of what the start of an outline might look like for a short paper on why college students should have houseplants:

I. Introduction: College students should keep houseplants

II. Houseplants can help reduce stress

A. Houseplants create a feeling of well-being

• Houseplants help make the atmosphere relaxed
• Houseplants help make rooms look nicer

B. Houseplants can be calming

• Houseplants remind students of being outdoors
• Houseplants help to minimize distractions and anxiety

Works Consulted:

The Chicago Manual of Style , 17th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017. https://doi.org/10.7208/cmos17.

Chicago Style Guides

Chicago Style : Annotated bibliography | Abstract | Block Quote | Headings | Outline | Page Numbers | Title page

Citing sources : In-text citations | Bibliography | Reference list | Footnotes | Citing Multiple Authors | Citing Sources with No Authors

Chicago Style Citation Generator : Article | Book | Image | Interview | Journal | Movie | PDF | Textbook | Website | YouTube

What’s included with a Chegg Writing subscription

• Unlimited number of paper scans
• Plagiarism detection: Check against billions of sources
• Expert proofreading for papers on any subject
• Grammar scans for 200+ types of common errors
• Automatically create & save citations in 7,000+ styles
• Cancel subscription anytime, no obligation

• Richard G. Trefry Library
• Writing & Citing

Q. How should I format my research paper, research proposal or thesis?

• Course-Specific
• Textbooks & Course Materials
• Tutoring & Classroom Help
• 1 Artificial Intelligence
• 43 Formatting
• 5 Information Literacy
• 13 Plagiarism
• 23 Thesis/Capstone/Dissertation

Answered By: APUS Librarians Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023     Views: 9935

There is no standard template for research papers at AMU or APU. When writing , you will rely on your degree program’s preferred style guide to help you format the body of your text: margins, headings, page numbers, references page, citations, etc. 

Graduate students will also refer to the End of Program Assessment Manual for formatting specifics (see more information below ).

Here are some helpful links to formatting recommendations for each style guide used at APUS:

• APUS APA Style Guide
• APA Style: Paper Format
• APA Style:  Style and Grammar Guidelines
• APA Style:  Instructional Aids
• APUS Legal Studies Program Writing Guide
• See Section 2 of the Chicago Manual of Style Online :  Manuscript Preparation, Manuscript Editing, and Proofreading
• APUS  MLA Style Guide
• MLA Style Center:  Formatting a Research Paper

Turabian 

• Turabian is based on the Chicago Manual of Style, so you can feel confident in referring to it for format guidelines. If you have the hard copy of Turabian, look at Appendixes A.1 General Format Requirements and A.2 Format Requirements for Specific Elements.

Graduate students:

If you are working on a research project proposal or thesis , the End of Program Assessment Manual for Graduate Studies (EOP Manual) will guide you in formatting aspects of your paper that may not be specified in your style guide. The current EOP Manual can be downloaded here .

• Chapter I:      Scholarly Research, Copyright, and Ethical Conduct
• Chapter II:     Responsible Conduct of Research
• Chapter III:    Master's Comprehensive Examination
• Chapter IV:   Master's Capstone: Thesis Option
• Chapter V:    Masters Capstone:  Creative/Applied Project
• Chapter VI:   Master's Capstone:  Practicum & Critical Reflection Paper
• Chapter VII:  Master's Capstone:  Portfolio & Critical Reflection Paper
• Chapter VIII: Program Director Role in the End of Program Assessment
• Chapter IX:   Faculty Role in the End of Program Assessment
• Chapter X:   University Declarations and Archiving
• Appendix 1:   (p. 42) Sample of Title / Cover Page
• Appendix 2:   Sample of Copyright Page
• Appendix 3:   Sample of Dedication Page (Optional)
• Appendix 4:   Sample of Acknowledgements Page (Optional)
• Appendix 5:   Sample of the Abstract
• Appendix 6:   Sample of the Table of Contents
• Appendix 7:   Sample of List of Tables
• Appendix 8:   Sample of List of Figures
• Appendix 9:   Sample of Permission to Quote or Reproduce Copyrighted Material Letter
• Appendix 10: Sample of IRB Approval Letter

If you have any questions about the policies or information provided in the EOP Manual, contact [email protected] .

• I am having problems formatting my paper in Word. Where can I find help?
• Where can I find a sample research paper, research proposal or thesis?
• Where can I have my paper proofread or reviewed?
• Does the library have a writing center or a writing help tutorial?
• Where is the Graduate Writing page in Writing@APUS?
• Share on Facebook

Was this helpful? Yes 5 No 6

writing tutor

Related Topics

• Thesis/Capstone/Dissertation

Need personalized help? Librarians are available 365 days/nights per year!  See our schedule.

Learn more about how librarians can help you succeed.    

• Collections
• Research Help
• Teaching & Learning
• Library Home

Chicago Citation Style Guide

• Get Started With Chicago Style
• Note-Bibliography Basics
• Author-Date Basics
• Citing Journal Articles
• Citing Newspaper Articles
• Citing Magazines
• Citing Websites & Blogs
• Sound Recordings
• Radio Program (Podcast)
• Broadcast Radio & TV
• Video Recordings (DVD/VHS)
• TV & Video (Web)
• Images & Art
• Reference Materials
• Religious Texts
• Legal & Government Documents

Theses & Dissertations

Citing a published thesis, citing an unpublished thesis, citing a thesis in online database or repository.

• CMS 14.224: Theses and dissertations

Titles of unpublished works appear in "quotation marks"—not in italics . This treatment extends to theses and dissertations, which are otherwise cited like books.

The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these are enclosed in parentheses in a note but not in a bibliography.

If the document was consulted online, include a URL or, for documents retrieved from a commercial database, give the name of the database and, in parentheses, any identification number supplied or recommended by the database.

For dissertations issued on microfilm, see 14.120 . For published abstracts of dissertations, see 14.197 .

Note-Bibliography

First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," (Publisher, Year).

      Mihwa Choi, “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty,” PhD diss., (University of Chicago, 2008).

Short Note:

Last-name, "Title of Thesis."

Choi. “Contesting Imaginaires ."

Bibliography Entry:

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Year.

Choi, Mihwa. “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.” PhD diss. University      of Chicago, 2008.

Author-Date

Text Citation:

(Last-name Year)

(Mihwa 2008)

Reference Entry:

Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle."

Choi, Mihwa. 2008. “Contesting  Imaginaires  in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.”  PhD diss.       University of Chicago.

Note -Bibliography

Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Unpublished thesis type, University. Year.

Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand," PhD diss., (Ghent University, 2010).

Note #. Last-name,"Title of Thesis."

Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes."

Bibliography:

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University. Year.

Hosking, Barry C. "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University, 2010.

(Hosking 2010)

Last-name, First-name.  Year.  "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University.

Hosking, Barry C.    2010.  "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University.

Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Database Name (Identifier if given), Year, Internet address.

      12. Meredith Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus, " Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222), 2005, http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

Note #. Last-name, "Title of Thesis."

21. Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects."

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Database Name (Identifier if given), Year. Internet address.

Stewart, Meredith. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222),  2005. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

(Stewart 2005)

Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle."  Database Name  (Identifier if given), Internet address.

Stewart, Meredith. 2005. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program  (WMU2005.1222),    http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

• << Previous: Legal & Government Documents
• Next: More Help >>
• Last Updated: Feb 13, 2024 2:03 PM
• URL: https://libguides.wvu.edu/chicago

Turabian Style Guide: Sample Papers in Turabian

• Turabian (& Chicago)
• Sample Papers in Turabian
• Research Paper Topics
• Research Tools This link opens in a new window

Sample Turabian Papers

• Turabian Style paper (Austin Peay State University) from Austin Peay State University, Academic Support Center
• "Turabian Tutor" (Tennessee Temple University) Tennessee Temple University, Turabian-style paper
• Intro to Chicago-Turabian Style (paper) (University of North Alabama) University of North Alabama, turabian-style paper
• Sample Turabian Bibliography from Carpenter Library, UNF

Turabian formatting in Word

Turabian title page in Word

Simple Formatting Guidelines

• Paper size - 8.5 inch x 11 inch
• 1 inch on all four edges of the page
• Typeface/Font size
• Easily read; preferably serifed, ex. Times New Roman
• 12-point is accepted size
• Spacing/Indentation  
• Double-space text with exceptions that are single-spaced:
• Block quotations
• Table elements, ex. titles and figure captions
• Appendices' lists
• Footnotes/endnotes are single-spaced but separated by a space between each item.
• Items in a bibliography/reference list are single-spaced but each item is separated by a space.
• Do not number the title page.
• Start arabic numbers (at 1) on first page of paper that is not considered front matter (front matter = title page).
• Place page numbers consistently in same location throughout paper: 
• Options for page numbers include: centered in footer OR right-hand of footer OR centered in header OR right-hand of header
•    Title Page elements
• Center all elements
• Use consistent typeface and font size
• font size can increase slightly for title elements
• preferred format is boldface for title
• Employ Headline Capitalization with All Elements  (first letter of each noun/pronoun is capitalized) ( definition of Headline Style Capitalization)
• Title is placed approx. 1/3 down the page. A subtitle follow the main title with a colon and starts on a new line.
• Two-thirds down the page, your name, any title page information provided by your professor, and the date should be included.
• Body of Paper (Text)
• Includes 
• Introduction
• Quotations, including block quotations, should follow Turabian's standard formatting rules.
• Text Formatting
• Be consistent throughout body of paper with typeface, font size, and other formatting elements.
• Make sure text is aligned left.
• Do not add color in the text (hyperlinked text will automatically become blue; this is unavoidable).
• Block quotations should be set apart by blank space above and below and, internally, should be single-spaced. 
• Back Matter elements
• Notes (endnotes section) ( http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocChicago_Notes_Formatting.html )
• Bibliography OR References OR Works Cited (your choice as to heading)
• Center page titles
• Font size can increase slightly for title elements.
• Preferred format is  boldface  for  title
• Leave two blank spaces between heading and first endnote/work referenced.
• Notes section
• Use standard paragraph indentations for each endnote.
• Single-space each endnote and separate each by a blank space.
• Use standard-size numbers with periods to enumerate your endnote list.
• Bibliography/References/Works Cited section
• Use hanging indentations for works referenced (first line is not indented; second and remaining lines are indented standard tab of five spaces)
• This section is typically arranged alphabetically by author, then alphabetically by title if you list multiple works by one author. 

All information comes from 

Turabian, Kate L.  A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations :  Chicago Style for Students & Researchers . 8th ed. Chicago:    University of Chicago Press, 2013. 

• << Previous: Turabian (& Chicago)
• Next: Research Paper Topics >>
• Last Updated: Mar 6, 2023 10:35 AM
• URL: https://library.cbc.edu/Turabian