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Chicago Style Format for Papers | Requirements & Examples

Published on September 25, 2019 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on December 5, 2022.

The information in this article is largely drawn from Turabian style —a version of Chicago style aimed at students and researchers. When writing a paper in Chicago style, these are the guidelines to follow; for the sake of simplicity, the term “Chicago” is used here.

Chicago Reference Generator

To apply Chicago format:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt. Times New Roman.
• Double-space the text.
• Use 1 inch margins or larger.
• Indent new paragraphs by ½ inch.
• Place page numbers in the top right or bottom center.

Note that any specific formatting advice from your instructor or faculty overrules these guidelines. Template documents set up in Chicago style are available to download below. Just select the one with the citation style you’re following.

Author-date Notes and bibliography

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Table of contents

General formatting, block quotes, numbers and acronyms, in-text citations and notes, bibliography or reference list, frequently asked questions about chicago format.

Chicago doesn’t require a specific font or font size, but recommends using something simple and readable (e.g., 12 pt. Times New Roman). Use margins of at least 1 inch on all sides of the page.

The main text should be double-spaced, and each new paragraph should begin with a ½ inch indent. Text should be left-aligned and not “justified” (meaning that the right margin should look ragged).

Page numbers can be placed either in the top right or the bottom center of the page—one or the other, not both.

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A Chicago title page isn’t required—often it’s sufficient to just include your title at the top of the first page—but if you’re asked to include one, Turabian provides guidelines for how to present it.

All text on the title page should be center-aligned and double-spaced, and written in the same font as the rest of your text. The title should appear about ⅓ of the way down the page, in headline capitalization and in bold.

If you have a subtitle, the main title ends with a colon and the subtitle appears on the following line, also in bold and the same size as the main title.

About ⅔ of the way down the page, add any information your instructor requests you to include—your name, student code, the course name and code, the date, etc. Each new piece of information appears on a new line.

The title page should not have a page number, but should be included in the page count—in other words, the page numbering starts on page 2.

Headings should use headline capitalization:

• Summary of results
• Summary of Results

If you use different levels of heading (e.g., chapters, sections, subheadings), make sure your presentation makes clear which type of heading each one is.

All headings of one level should be presented the same way, and higher-level headings should stand out more from the text. For example, you might use a larger font for chapter headings, bold for section headings, and italics for subheadings:

Prose quotations of five or more lines (or more than 100 words), as well as poetry quotations of two or more lines, are presented as block quotes .

Block quotes do not use quotation marks . Instead, a blank line separates them from the surrounding text on both sides and they are indented by an additional ½ inch. Unlike the rest of the text, they are not double-spaced.

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Chicago recommends using words, not numerals, for numbers lower than 100. For example, you would write “ninety-five,” not “95.” But numerals should still be used when you’re referring to a specific measurement (e.g., “15 cm”) and when using decimals (e.g., “1.5”).

Acronyms should be introduced the first time you refer to the thing they stand for:

After this point, you can use the acronym alone.

Neither numerals nor acronyms should be used at the beginning of a sentence. Either rewrite the sentence so that the numeral or acronym appears elsewhere, or write out the full phrase or number:

• 100 people responded to the survey.
• One hundred people responded to the survey.
• The survey received 100 responses.

Chicago provides guidelines for not one but two citation styles : author-date and notes and bibliography.

In author-date style , citations are placed directly in the text in parentheses . In this style, you have some flexibility about how exactly to integrate the citation:

In notes and bibliography style, citations appear in Chicago footnotes or endnotes (the format is identical either way), and the reader is referred to them by superscript numbers in the text.

Footnote and endnote numbers appear at the end of the relevant clause or sentence, after any punctuation except a dash .

Endnotes appear on their own page just before the bibliography ; footnotes appear at the bottom of each page. Footnotes should be separated from the text by a short rule and be presented in the same font size as the main text, or smaller. Word’s footnote function automatically creates footnotes like this:

At the end of your paper, you’ll likely include a bibliography (for notes and bibliography style) or a reference list (for author-date).

Bibliographies and reference lists are not double-spaced, but leave a blank line between entries.

If an entry extends onto a second line, a ½ inch indent should be applied to all but the first line of the entry.

If you have to create a Chicago style annotated bibliography , follow the same format as a normal bibliography, but indent and double-space the annotations under each source reference.

Turabian style is a version of Chicago style designed specifically for students and researchers. It follows most Chicago conventions, but also adds extra guidelines for formatting research papers , theses and dissertations .

More information can be found in A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian, now in its ninth edition.

• A reference list is used with Chicago author-date citations .
• A bibliography is used with Chicago footnote citations .

Both present the exact same information; the only difference is the placement of the year in source citations:

• In a reference list entry, the publication year appears directly after the author’s name.
• In a bibliography entry, the year appears near the end of the entry (the exact placement depends on the source type).

There are also other types of bibliography that work as stand-alone texts, such as a Chicago annotated bibliography .

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.

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.

Chicago format doesn’t require you to use any specific font, as long as you choose something readable. A good standard choice is 12 pt Times New Roman.

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Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition

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This section contains information on The Chicago Manual of Style  (CMOS) method of document formatting and citation. These resources follow the seventeenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (17t h e dition), which was issued in 2017.

Please note that although these resources reflect the most recent updates in the The Chicago Manual of Style  (17 th  edition) concerning documentation practices, you can review a full list of updates concerning usage, technology, professional practice, etc. at  The Chicago Manual of Style Online .

Introduction

The Chicago Manual of Style  (CMOS) covers a variety of topics from manuscript preparation and publication to grammar, usage, and documentation, and as such, it has been lovingly dubbed the “editor's bible.”

The material on this page focuses primarily on one of the two CMOS documentation styles: the Notes-Bibliography System (NB) , which is used by those working in literature, history, and the arts. The other documentation style, the Author-Date System, is nearly identical in content but slightly different in form and is preferred by those working in the social sciences.

Though the two systems both convey all of the important information about each source, they differ not only in terms of the way they direct readers to these sources, but also in terms of their formatting (e.g., the position of dates in citation entries). For examples of how these citation styles work in research papers, consult our sample papers: 

Author-Date Sample Paper

NB Sample Paper

In addition to consulting  The Chicago Manual of Style  (17th edition) for more information, students may also find it useful to consult Kate L. Turabian's  Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations  (8th edition). This manual, which presents what is commonly known as the "Turabian" citation style, follows the two CMOS patterns of documentation but offers slight modifications suited to student texts.

Notes and Bibliography (NB) in Chicago style

The Chicago Notes and Bibliography (NB) system is often used in the humanities to provide writers with a system for referencing their sources through the use of footnotes, endnotes, and through the use of a bibliography. This offers writers a flexible option for citation and provides   an outlet for commenting on those sources, if needed. Proper use of the Notes and Bibliography system builds a writer’s credibility by demonstrating their accountability to source material. In addition, it can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the intentional or accidental uncredited use of source material created by others.

Introduction to Notes

In the Notes and Bibliography system, you should include a note (endnote or footnote) each time you use a source, whether through a direct quote, paraphrase, or summary. Footnotes are added at the end of the page on which the source is referenced, while endnotes are compiled at the end of each chapter or at the end of the entire document.

In either case, a superscript number corresponding to a note, along with the bibliographic information for that source, should be placed in the text following the end of the sentence or clause in which the source is referenced.

If a work includes a bibliography, which is typically preferred, then it is not necessary to provide full publication details in notes. However, if a bibliography is not included with a work, the first note for each source should include  all  relevant information about the source: author’s full name, source title, and facts of publication. If you cite the same source again, or if a bibliography is included in the work, the note only needs to include the surname of the author, a shortened form of the title (if more than four words), and the page number(s). However, in a work that does not include a bibliography, it is recommended that the full citation be repeated when it is first used in a new chapter.

In contrast to earlier editions of CMOS, if you cite the same source two or more times consecutively, CMOS recommends using shortened citations. In a work with a bibliography, the first reference should use a shortened citation which includes the author’s name, the source title, and the page number(s), and consecutive references to the same work may omit the source title and simply include the author and page number. Although discouraged by CMOS, if you cite the same source and page number(s) from a single source two or more times consecutively, it is also possible to utilize the word “Ibid.,” ( from the Latin ibidem, which means “in the same place,”) as the corresponding note. If you use the same source but a draw from different new page, the corresponding note should use “Ibid.” followed by a comma and the new page number(s).

In the NB system, the footnote or endnote itself begins with the appropriate full-sized number, followed by a period and then a space.

Introduction to Bibliographies

In the NB system, the bibliography provides an alphabetical list of all sources used in a given work. This page, most often titled Bibliography, is usually placed at the end of the work preceding the index. It should include all sources cited within the work and may sometimes include other relevant sources that were not cited but provide further reading.

Although bibliographic entries for various sources may be formatted differently, all included sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) are arranged alphabetically by author’s last name. If no author or editor is listed, the title or, as a last resort, a descriptive phrase may be used.

Though useful, a bibliography is not required in works that provide full bibliographic information in the notes.

Common Elements

All entries in the bibliography will include the author (or editor, compiler, translator), title, and publication information.

Author Names

The author’s name is inverted in the bibliography, placing the last name first and separating the last name and first name with a comma; for example, John Smith becomes Smith, John.

Titles of books and journals are italicized. Titles of articles, chapters, poems, etc. are placed in quotation marks .

Publication Information

The year of publication is listed after the publisher or journal name .

Punctuation

In a bibliography, all major elements are separated by periods.

For more information and specific examples, see the sections on  Books  and  Periodicals .

Please note that this OWL resource provides basic information regarding the formatting of entries used in the bibliography. For more information about Selected Bibliographies, Annotated Bibliographies, and Bibliographic Essays, please consult Chapter 14.61 of  The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition).

Chicago style guide: Chicago style page formatting

• Chicago style page formatting
• Sample pages
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• Image/chart
• Indirect source
• Legal/Government
• Letter/memo
• Reference source
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How to format a Chicago-style paper

Your teachers expect to receive papers that are properly formatted and laid out. Use the following guidelines when setting up your paper. It is easiest if you use the correct settings from the beginning; otherwise you will have to go back and reformat your paper.

Overall page layout

• One inch margins on sides, top and bottom.
• Use Times or Times New Roman 12 pt font.
• Double-space the text of the paper.
• Use left-justified text, which will have a ragged right edge. Do not use fully (newspaper-style) justified text.
• Use a 1/2" indent for paragraph beginnings, block quotes and hanging (bibliography) indents.
• Number the pages in the top right corner of the paper, beginning with the first page of text. It's a good idea to include your last name as well, in case pages become separated. Number straight through from the first text page to the final bibliography page but do not count any pages after the end of the text as part of your page count. (A five-page paper may also have a cover page, two pages of notes and one page of bibliography which is nine pieces of paper.)
• Ask your teacher if it is ok to print two-sided.
• < Center the title of your paper in the middle of the page, halfway down.
• Center your name directly under the title.
• Your teacher's name, course title and block, and date should be written in three lines and centered at the bottom of the page.
• Use Times or Times New Roman 12 pt font for the title page. Do not try to make your cover page decorative by using bold , underline , or creative fonts.
• Do not put a page number on the cover page, and do not count it as part of the total page count.

Assemble your paper in the following order

• Cover/title page
• Body of the paper
• Appendix (if needed)

Bibliography

Names and numbers

• Use full names of people and agencies/legislation the first time you use them. For agencies, include the acronym in parentheses after the full name when first used, e.g. Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA).
• After the first time you can refer to people by their last name or agencies/bills by their acronyms for the rest of the paper.
• Write out numbers lower than 100. (“All nine members of the Supreme Court...”)

Footnotes and endnotes

Caution: If you are writing your paper in Google Docs, you MUST use footnotes. Google Docs does not have a way to make Endnotes, and if you use the Endnote Generator add-on it will make a mess of your paper!

• Footnotes go at the bottom of the page where the reference occurs; endnotes go on a separate page after the body of the paper. Both use the same formatting guidelines.
• Within the essay text: put the note number at the end of the sentence where the reference occurs, even if the cited material is mentioned at the beginning of the sentence.
• The note number goes after all other punctuation.
• Be sure to use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) nor Roman (i, ii, iii).
• Put the word Notes (not Endnotes) at the top of the page with your endnotes. Use Times/Times New Roman 10 pt font.
• Single space each entry; double space between entries.
• Indent the first line of each note.
• Never reuse a number - use a new number for each reference, even if you have used that reference previously.
• Be sure to look at shortened form examples for sources you refer to more than once.
• To cite multiple sources in a single note, separate the two citations with a semicolon. Never use two note numbers at the end of a sentence.
• Your bibliography should go on a separate page, with the word Bibliography centered at the top of the page in Times/Times New Roman 12 pt font. Do not use bold or large size font for the heading.
• Be sure to use proper formatting - note and bibliography styles are different.
• Use a "hanging indent" - the first line of the citation begins at the margin, subsequent lines are indented.
• If your source has no author, alphabetize by title within the authors - don't make a separate list.
• Don't separate primary and secondary sources unless your teacher requests it.

Watch out for these common errors:

• Note format uses first name last name, bibliography uses last name, first name.
• In your notes, do not reuse numbers! Each citation gets a new number.
• Pay attention to indents. Notes use a first line indent, a bibliography uses a hanging indent.
• A bibliography goes in alphabetical order by author (or title if there is no author). Notes are numbered and are listed in the order the sources are used.
• Don't put Works Cited at the top of your bibliography - that is MLA style.

Citing your sources

The library subscribes to NoodleTools, a citation management tool. You can get to it in one of two ways:

1. Go to your Menlo gmail and click on the 9-box "waffle" menu. Scroll down to NoodleTools. 

2. Go to the NoodleTools home page  and log in with Google using your Menlo Gmail username and password.

Can't decide whether your source needs a citation?  Click here to hear Dr. Hanson explain when citations are needed.  Click here to view a flowsheet that will guide your choices.

Google Docs formatting tips

Formatting page breaks and page numbers in Google Docs

Inserting Chicago style footnotes in Google Docs

Citation checklist

Do you want to be sure you've formatted your research paper correctly? Click the link below to download a Chicago style citation and formatting checklist. 

• Citation formatting checklist
• Middle school citation checklist
• Next: Sample pages >>
• Last Updated: Dec 14, 2023 12:26 PM
• URL: https://library.menloschool.org/chicago

Turabian Student Paper-Formatting Tip Sheets

Official Chicago style, in easy-to-use, printable PDF paper-writing tip sheets for students, teachers, and librarians. Guidelines are per Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations  (9th ed.) and are fully compatible with  The Chicago Manual of Style  (17th ed.).

[Important: Directions from your teacher, instructor, or dissertation office overrule these guidelines.]

• Margins and Page Numbers
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables and Figures
• Introduction or Conclusion
• Sections and Subheads
• Chapter Opening Page
• Figure and Figure Caption
• Bibliography
• Parenthetical Citations
• Reference List

Chicago Style Guide - 17th Edition

• Chicago Style
• Title Page and Pagination
• Quotations and Signal Phrases
• Bibliography
• Chicago's Citation Parts
• Articles - Online
• Articles - Print
• Blogs and Social Media
• Government Publications
• Elders & Knowledge Keepers
• Other Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Generative AI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT, DALL·E 2)
• Author/Date (Scientific) System
• Need More Help?

Useful Links

• Chicago Manual of Style Online - Quick Guide
• Douglas College Library - Chicago Style Guide (PDF)
• Purdue OWL - Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.)
• SFU Library - Chicago/Turabian (17th ed.) Citation Guide

Avoid Plagiarism

• Camosun Academic Integrity Guide
• Camosun Plagiarism Guide
• Douglas College Learning Centre - Paraphrasing Without Plagiarizing
• Purdue OWL - Avoiding Plagiarism
• SFU Library - Plagiarism Tutorial

Chicago Style Sample Research Paper

Formatting and Sample Paper

The formatting guidelines listed on this page, provide general best practices for formatting your work using the Chicago style. Detailed information about formatting your title page , using quotes and signal phrases , and creating a bibliography , can be found by navigating to various sub-pages of this "Formatting Your Paper" page.

Learning how to correctly format your research paper into Chicago style can seem overwhelming, especially if the style is new to you. One of the best ways to help visualize what your paper needs to look like is by checking out an example of a paper that has already been formatted correctly.

View this  sample Chicago style research paper   ( notes and bibliography/humanities system ) from Purdue OWL for examples on how to format:

• A title page
• Headers and page numbers
• A bibliography

For a sample paper in the Chicago author/date style , visit the "Author/Date (Scientific) System" page in this guide.

Paragraphs and Spacing

The first line of all new paragraphs should begin with an indent . You can use either the tab key or your word processor's indentation tool to make your indentations–just be sure to be consistent and use the same process throughout your paper.

Your paper should be double spaced throughout its main body , with the following exceptions: 

• Block quotations , table titles , and figure captions should be single-spaced . 
• ​An extra line of space should be inserted both before and after a block quotation. 

Entries in the bibliography and footnotes/ endnotes are single spaced within entries , but double-spaced between entries (unless your instructor prefers double-spacing throughout).​

Footnotes and Endnotes

• Notes can be either  footnotes   (placed at the  foot   (bottom) of the same page  as the referenced text) or  endnotes   (listed on a  separate sheet at the end  of the essay, before the bibliography).
• Other than placement in your document, footnotes and endnotes are  structured in exactly the same way .
• Notes are  numbered consecutively  throughout the paper. Most word processing programs (such as MS Word) handle footnotes automatically.
• Follow your instructors’ directions when deciding whether to use footnotes or endnotes.

To insert a footnote in a Microsoft Word document:

• Place the cursor after the text you want to cite.
• Click on the " References "   tab.
• In the " Footnotes " section , click on the " In sert Footnote " button.
• A superscript number 1 will appear after the text you want to cite.
• A superscript number 1 will also appear at the bottom of page.
• At the bottom of the page next to the superscript number, enter the citation information for your resource (see the citation examples in this guide for how to create footnotes).
• Repeat these steps to insert and consecutively number your footnotes.

Some instructors may ask you to use endnotes, instead of footnotes. For information on inserting endnotes, see the  Microsoft Office Tutorial .

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• URL: https://camosun.libguides.com/Chicago-17thEd

Chicago Research Paper Formatting

Chicago manual of style (cmos - 17th edition).

• Finding Sources for Your Paper
• Additional Resources
• Sample Papers

You are going to love this! Save this template somewhere safe or e-mail it to yourself. Then resave it immediately with the name of your new document. This will keep your template safe and ready to reuse again for future assignments.

The templates provided will be sufficient for most student Chicago Style papers. For more information on formatting, please check out The Chicago Manual of Style Online Resources for Students page at  https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/help-tools/Resources-for-Students.html . 

• Purdue Owl Author Date Sample Paper Sample paper is downloadable.
• Purdue Owl Notes Bibliography Sample Paper Sample paper is downloadable.
• Turabian: Student Paper-Writing Tip Sheets Official Chicago style, in easy-to-use, printable PDF paper-writing tip sheets for students, teachers, and librarians. Guidelines are per Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (9th ed.) and are fully compatible with The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.).
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• Last Updated: Jan 23, 2024 11:05 AM
• URL: https://libguides.polk.edu/chicago

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Citation Style Guides: Chicago Style

• MLA 8th edition
• APA 6th Edition
• APA 7th Edition
• Chicago Style
• CSE 8th Edition

The University of Chicago Press opened for business in 1891, and quickly began turning the Professors’ hand-written manuscripts into published material. In order to facilitate this process and avoid stylistic inconsistencies, the Press published the 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 — in 1906, which came to be known as the first edition of The Chicago Manual of Style . Now in its sixteenth edition, the Manual has become the standard for scholarship in the academic fields labeled the Humanities, most notably History and the Fine Arts. Students in these fields are often required to write academic essays in “Chicago Style” or “Chicago Format.” It is important to note that the style known as “Turabian” is a version of Chicago Style that was created by Editor Kate Turabian specifically for undergraduate students. 

There are two versions of Chicago Style citation: Author-Date and Notes-Bibliography.

The Author-Date style is used in the sciences; the Notes-Bibliography style is used more in the humanities. This guide will focus on the Notes-Bibliography style since that is more commonly used among college writers at TU.

Formatting Your Paper

Some key features of a Chicago Style research paper include the following:

A cover page with the title of the paper, author's name, course title, and date (month day, year).

Times New Roman font, size 12 with double-spaced lines and one inch margins all around.

Page numbering in the top right-hand corner of each page. The cover page does not have a page number; page 1 is the first page of writing beneath the cover page.

Numbered footnotes for sources.

Centered headers for section titles.

A bibliography page labeled "Bibliography" with data for all sources footnoted in the paper.

Notes (either endnotes or footnotes) allow the writer to give credit to a source with minimal interruption in the flow of the text. The notes are numbered and correspond to a superscript number in the text where the source information is written.

The first time that a source is referenced, a full note is written. Any subsequent notes referring to that source are written in a shortened version (examples provided). If the same source is referenced twice in succession, the word “ibid,” which is short for the Latin ibidem meaning “in the same place,” is used instead.

Bibliography

A bibliography is a full list at the end of the document of the sources that have been referenced within. It should contain all the pertinent information for a researcher to locate and retrieve the cited text, artwork, video, etc., and should be organized alphabetically by the primary author’s last name. You can see an example of a bibliography in the template on the right side of the page. 

Here are examples of bibliography entries for common types of sources (the same as those above in the Notes section).  

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

LaSalle, Peter. “Conundrum: A Story about Reading.” New England Review 38, no. 1 (2017): 95–109. Project MUSE.

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

Bouman, Katie. “How to Take a Picture of a Black Hole.” Filmed November 2016 at TEDxBeaconStreet, Brookline, MA. Video, 12:51. https://www.ted.com/talks/katie_bouman_what_does_a_black_hole_look_like.

Resources from the Writing Center

Links to outside resources.

• Chicago Style Citation Quick Guide

Writing Support

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• Last Updated: May 18, 2023 1:42 PM
• URL: https://libraries.utulsa.edu/citation_guides

Chicago Style (17th Edition): Introduction

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

Chicago Style at Duquesne University

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

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

What is Chicago Style?

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

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

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

Commonly Used Terms

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

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

Citation: Details about one cited source.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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College-wide Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition

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CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE 17TH Ed, Research Paper

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

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

1. Chicago-style title page

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

3. Endnotes or footnotes

4. Bibliography 

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

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

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Guidelines for Chicago Style Referencing

Table of Contents

Chicago style is a kind of referencing that students are allotted to cite original sources in a document. Citation is giving rights to the original owner to avoid plagiarism which can help the reader refer to the original site. However, learning one particular citation style is not enough, as they all have different rules.

Today we are going to focus on the citation style of Chicago , so let us start with the guidelines:

Let us start with how you write the title when using the Chicago style

• The title page should include the main title centered in the middle of the page.
• The name of the author should be at the center, keeping space from the title.
• The course title should be at the center below the name.
• Followed by the course instructor’s name.
• Finally, the title page ends with the date at the center.

How to Write the Author’s Name?

In Chicago styles, how you use the author’s name based on the context changes.

In general, you write the last name of the author along with the year of publication within parentheses and no commas in between.

(Johns 1998)

However, if you are quoting a particular statement or using a text, you must also mention the page numbers. Here, the publication date is followed by the page number with a dash in between to state the beginning and end of the page for more clarity for the readers.

(Johns 1998. 25-26)

If there is more than one author, all of them are enlisted in the same parenthesis, separated by semicolon in between

(Johns 1998; Smith 2001)

There are also instances where the author’s name is used in the text; in such cases, only the year is enlisted.

Johns (1998) found the evidence through chromatography experiments.

If the name is used for quoting, the page number is listed at the end of the sentences.

Johns (1998) stated, “All plants have DNA” (45-48)

When creating a reference list, the last name of the author, along with the year of publication, followed by the name of the article, is mentioned:

Johns 1998. Protein analysis on plant DNA

The author’s name and the kind of material cited also keep changing which changes the rules

In the case of journals, the author’s last name is followed by the first name. Year. Article title. Publication date.

In the case of a website, the author’s last name is the first name. Page. Title. Website link

In the case of books, the author’s last name, first name, year, chapter title, book title, editor’s first name, and last name. Page number. Place of peculation, publisher

Just in case, if there is no date mentioned, then this is how you cite the sources:

John’s n. d. Protein analysis on plant DNA (n .d stands for no date)

If you are using multiple pieces of information from the same source, meaning they have the same authors, then you need to differentiate them using different alphabets like a, b, c, etc.

For example, John’s 1998a protein analysis on plant DNA

John’s1998b Protein analysis on plant DNA

Course Information

This file extraction of dank from plants is submitted for the course Genetics. Genetics is the study of life, heredity, and genes. For years we have been focusing on human and animal lives, but plants have life too. There is less work done or rather we should say more work which can be done in this area.

Molecular genetics means working and knowing about the function and structure of genes on the molecular level. This is predominantly sued in molecular engineering which allows recombination, hybrid generation and direct manipulation of genes.

Genetics comes with various experiments which can be performed like DNA extraction, gene cloning and gene modification which formed the basis of the experiments conducted and the results obtained.

Mention the instructor’s name.

Include the date of submission (month, day, year format).

Mention course name or number

Here is how you provide information for Chicago style.

Julia smith

Master of Science in molecular genetics

Institution Information

Tennessee University of Sciences

What to study ?

• Complete 180 points for general MSc and additional computer or mathematical science papers.
• Complete the paper below:
• Contemporary molecular genetics (30 Points)
• Bioinformatics (15 Points)
• Biomedical ethics (15 points)
• And 90 points from:
• Scientific research (30 points)
• Research project (30 points)

Note: Rest of the points from additional papers

Page Number

The citation guidelines with Chicago referencing for page numbers are quite simple.

• Chicago referencing uses Arabic numerals instead of Roman numbers
• Page numbers are used when quoting sources with in-text citations.
• Page numbers should also be included when paraphrasing or using important sections from others’ work.

Advantages of the Chicago Style Cover Page

If professors allow students to follow the referencing style they want, many go for the Chicago style. Chicago style offers much flexibility. It is easy to follow and practice, starting from the Chicago-style citation cover page to the entire bibliography.

Chicago style is mainly used for student’s humanities and nostrils branch. This is fundamental because often footnotes can become quite lengthy. In historical papers, the Chicago style, with its small citation methods, allows readers to focus on the paper and evidence rather than getting lost in the citation sources rooted in the middle of the work.

It is versatile and comprehensive, which works for experienced and beginners in the citation filed to work with.

Major highlights are that it allows writers to comment or provide context for the sources. The sources enhanced for the readers allow writers to be more expressive even with citations by describing it. The author and date of publication in-text citation method are easy for the writer and on the eyes of the reader as well.

How Do You Format a Cover Page in Chicago Style? Explained with Examples

Here is how you can format a cover page in Chicago style:

• Start by elevating a 1-inch margin on the sides
• A font like times new roman at 12 sizes is preferred
• Double text
• Mention the page number in the right-hand corner
• The title page should not be numbered and does not get included in the final page count
• Capitalize important words
• Do not bold or use underlining on the cover page.
• Consult if the project should be printed on one side or on two sides
• Arrange papers in the following order
• Title/cover page
• Body of the paper
• Bibliography

Chicago Style Cover Page Format Example

Bibliography and footnotes are a big part of Chicago style, so here is how you do it:

To help you understand better, here are some examples of citation style and how it looks regarding different sources:

Chicago style, in the case of books

Footnote: – Author first name, last name, Title of Book (Place of publication: publisher, year), page number(s).

Bibliography: – Author last name, first name. Title of Book. Place of publication: publisher, year.

Chicago style, in the case of the article

Footnote: – Author first name last name, “Title of Article,” Name of Journal volume, no. issue (month and year): page number(s). DOI if applicable.

Bibliography: – Author last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Name of Journal volume, no. Issue (month/season year): page range of the article. DOI if applicable.

Chicago style in case of a website

Footnote: – “Title of Page,” Website, accessed month date, year, URL.

Bibliography: – Website. “Title of Page.” Accessed month, date, and year. URL.

Chicago style in newspaper

Footnote: Author first name, last name, “Title of Article,” Name of Publication, month, date, year, page number or URL.

Bibliography: -Author last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Name of Publication, month, date, year. URL if applicable.

Chicago style in YouTube

Footnote: – Channel name, “Video Title,” month date, year, video, length, URL.

Bibliography: – Channel name. “Video Title.” Month date, year. Video, length. URL.

And now you have a complete idea on how to make a cover page in Chicago style along with everything else you need to follow.

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• A Research Guide
• Research Paper Guide

How to Write a Chicago Style Research Paper

• Chicago Manual of Style edition

General formatting rules

• Title page and page layout
• Structuring the main body
• Headings and subheadings
• Tables, figures, and appendices
• in-text citations and bibliography

Let’s break down the rules of the Chicago format to guide your success among your peers!

Understanding the basics of Chicago style

Unlike the other styles ( MLA , APA , etc.), Chicago style papers have specific requirements for formatting and citing sources in specific fields.

You need to choose the Chicago style for writing papers when using abundant footnotes or endnotes. This style is useful for college writers who cite multiple sources in the same line or sentence.

Choosing the appropriate Chicago Manual of Style edition

Chicago style paper template comes in two formats:

• The Notes and Bibliography style is preferred by associates in humanitarian subjects, including history, literature, and the arts.
• The Author-Date style (the “Reference List” style) is recommended for the physical, natural, and social sciences.

Based on the Chicago Manual of Style, or CMOS, Chicago style is the preferred format for citing sources related to history and historical topics. It is known for its comprehensive system of footnotes and endnotes.

Chicago research paper format , also known as the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), is a widely used citation and formatting style in academic writing.

Here are the basics of Chicago style:

• Citations: Chicago style uses two citation systems: the author-date system and the notes and bibliography system. The author-date system uses in-text citations with parentheses, including the author’s last name, publication year, and page number.
• Formatting: Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt) and double-spacing throughout the paper. Include one-inch margins on all sides. Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
• Quotations: For shorter quotes, enclose the text within double quotation marks within the main text. For longer quotes (block quotes), indent the entire quote as a separate paragraph and do not use quotation marks. In either case, provide the necessary citation information within or after the quote.
• Page Numbers: Number all pages of your paper, including the title page, but exclude the page number on the title page itself. Place the page number on the top right corner of each page.

For more information and specified instructions, refer to the Chicago Manual of style guidelines (CMOS).

Formatting the title page and page layout

Although CMOS doesn’t specify a required font or font size, it does advise adopting a readable and straightforward font, such as Times New Roman 12 point. Use page margins that are at least 1 inch wide on all sides.

To write a paper in Chicago style, you need to start with an appropriate title . Here’s the list of key requirements:

• The title and subtitle appear ⅓ of the way down the page.
• Other information (e.g., your name, the date, class information) appears ⅔ down the page.
• All text is center-aligned and double-spaced.
• No page number is included on the title page.

Each new paragraph should begin with a 12-inch indent, and the main content should be double-spaced. Text in Chicago style should be left-aligned rather than “justified,” which causes the right margin to appear uneven.

Structuring the main body of the research paper

Structuring the main body of a Chicago style research paper involves organizing your content into logical sections and effectively presenting your arguments, analysis, and evidence. Here’s a guide on how to structure the main body of a research paper in Chicago style:

• Introduction : Begin with an introductory paragraph that provides background information on your research topic and its significance. Clearly state your research question or thesis statement to guide the reader.
• Literature Review : In this section of a Chicago style research paper, review relevant literature and sources related to your research topic. Summarize and critically analyze the existing knowledge, identifying gaps or controversies in the field.
• Methodology : Describe your research methods and techniques to gather data or conduct your study. Explain the rationale behind your chosen methods and discuss any limitations or ethical considerations.

Remember to cite your sources accurately using the Chicago style paper template throughout the main body of your research paper. Use either footnotes or endnotes for in-text citations, and provide a corresponding bibliography at the end of your paper listing all the sources you cited.

Writing and formatting headings and subheadings

In Chicago style, formatting headings and subheadings is important for organizing and structuring your research paper. The following guidelines outline how to format headings and subheadings in Chicago style research paper example:

• Main headings are used to divide major sections of your paper.
• They should be centered and in headline-style capitalization.
• Start each main heading on a new line, and consider using a larger font size or bold formatting to distinguish them from the rest of the text.

MAIN HEADING

• Writers use subheadings in Chicago style to divide sections within the main headings further.
• They provide additional structure and hierarchy to your paper.
• Subheadings should be left-aligned and in sentence-style capitalization, where only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.

Including tables, figures, and appendices

To write a Chicago style paper, you may use tables, figures, and appendices to provide additional information. Here’s a brief overview of how to include tables, figures, and appendices in Chicago style:

Tables present organized data in a structured format. When including a table, assign a number (e.g., Table 1, Table 2) and provide a concise and descriptive title. Place the table as close as possible to its first mention in the text.

Table 1: Summary of Data

Figures refer to visual representations such as graphs, charts, diagrams, or images. Assign a number (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2) and provide a descriptive caption that explains the content of the figure. Place the figure as close as possible to its first mention in the text.

Figure 1: Pie Chart of Survey Responses

According to CMOS, the appendices in Chicago style contain supplementary information that is not essential to the main body of your research paper but provides additional details or supporting material.

Each appendix should have a clear title (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) that reflects its content.

Appendix A: Survey Questions

It’s important to consult the official CMOS or a reliable style guide for comprehensive instructions and specific formatting requirements for tables, figures, and appendices.

Formatting in-text citations and bibliography

Formatting in-text citations and the bibliography in Chicago style writing format is crucial for acknowledging and documenting the sources you have used in your research paper. Here’s a brief overview of how to format in-text citations and the bibliography in Chicago style:

In-Text Citations

Author-Date System: In the author-date system, in-text citations include the author’s last name, publication year, and page number (if applicable), enclosed in parentheses and placed within the text.

(Smith 2019, 45)

Notes and Bibliography System: In the notes and bibliography system, in-text citations are indicated using superscript numbers corresponding to footnotes or endnotes. The first citation should include the full reference.

According to Smith, the data supports this claim.^1

Bibliography

The bibliography is a separate page(s) that lists all the sources you have cited or consulted in your paper. The entries are arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name or the title (if no author is provided).

• The bibliographic entry for a book typically includes the author’s name, the book’s title (in italics or underlined), the place of publication, the publisher, and the year of publication.
• The bibliographic entry for a journal article generally includes the author’s name, the title of the article (in quotation marks), the title of the journal (in italics or underlined), volume number, issue number (if applicable), publication year, and page range.
• The bibliographic entry for a website usually includes the author’s name (if available), the title of the web page or article (in quotation marks), the title of the website (in italics or underlined), the date of publication or update (if available), URL, and access date.

It’s essential to consult the official CMOS or a reliable style guide for comprehensive instructions and specific variations that may apply to your particular discipline or publication.

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Cover Page – APA, MLA & Chicago Style With Examples

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In the academic and professional realms, the presentation of written work is nearly as crucial as the content itself. The most popular guidelines are the APA, MLA, and Chicago style. Each has its unique specifications and nuances, particularly when it comes to crafting the cover page , a pivotal aspect that provides the first impression of any document. This article delves into the distinct features and requirements with examples .

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Cover page in a nutshell
• 2 Definition: Cover page
• 3 When is a cover page used?
• 4 Essentials of a cover page
• 6 Cover page for students

Cover page in a nutshell

What is a cover page? A cover page is also called the title page and is the first page of an academic essay or other kinds of academic papers. It displays its title, the author’s name, and other relevant information, serving as an introduction or a preview of what’s inside. Think of it like the cover of a book, giving a glimpse of what the content is about.

Definition: Cover page

The cover page serves as a representation of the author. The format will differ based on the style you choose. It typically contains:

• Name of the author
• Name of the professor
• Name of the student’s educational establishment
• Due date of the paper

The topic of the paper and the course name are always included on the title page, regardless of the format used. As the name suggests, it is placed at the front of the paper and is the first thing your professor will see when they receive your paper. When writing an academic paper, you have to adhere to certain established standards. A cover page is required for many papers, as it introduces the professor to the project. In this article, we will look at the different types and their formats.

When is a cover page used?

A cover page is used in various academic, professional, and publishing contexts to provide a clear and organized introduction to a document. Its usage can vary based on the style guide in reference. Here’s a brief overview of when it is used in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles .

• APA style always requires a title page for both student papers and professional articles or studies. You can read more in our article about the APA format title pages.
• Title of the paper, author’s name, institutional affiliation, course name and number (for students), instructor’s name (for students), and due date
• MLA style does not typically require a title page for research papers , unless specifically requested by the instructor. Instead, essential details are usually placed in the top-left corner of the first page.
• Title, name of the author, instructor’s name, course, and date

Chicago style

• Its usage depends on specific publication or institutional requirements. For formal publications and individual assignments, a title page is typically preferred.
• Title, author’s name, often the specific class or course information, and date of submission

Essentials of a cover page

A cover page requires:

• A running head
• The title of your academic paper
• The name of your university
• The name of the author or authors

Besides these requirements, your professor may ask you to add extra information . As mentioned earlier, you should refer to the latest guidelines to see how the cover should be formatted. With APA style, you have to use 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1-inch margins.

The running head has to be left-aligned, and it should be capitalized. Besides the ‘running head,’ your header should have a maximum of 50 characters.

The title of your paper should also be properly formatted. It should be in the title case, meaning the first letters of every word is capitalized. The only words that should not be capitalized are small words like articles and prepositions . The title should be no more than 12 words in length. For the title, you should use whole words only. Avoid contractions and abbreviations.

The names of the authors should also be properly formatted. If multiple authors were involved in writing the paper, they should all be mentioned, along with the institutions they are affiliated with. Students with different affiliations should be listed separately.

The cover page should not be spruced up unnecessarily. Its only objective is to provide the reader or professor with essential information. Don’t use colored paper, colored text, or fancy images to make it look more attractive. That will only make you appear less professional.

There are as many kinds of cover pages as there are academic writing formats. The most commonly used cover page formats are MLA , APA , and Chicago . The difference lies in their format and content. Here is an overview of each of these types.

APA cover page

The APA format cover page should start with the running head, positioned at the top left of your paper. The page number is on the top right. Your paper title is to be in title case, in the upper half of the page. For the title, you simply respect the rules for capitalization in titles . APA recommends that your title should be 12 words in length or less, and it should not include any abbreviations or contractions. Words that serve no purpose should also be left out. The title can take up one or two lines.

The information for an APA format cover is below the title of your paper, then the names of the authors and their institutional affiliations are listed. The author’s name should include first name, middle initial(s), and last name. The titles of the author(s) and their educational qualifications should not be included in this part of the paper. The institutional affiliation is included under the author’s name, and it shows where the researcher carried out the research.

For more information, read our article about the APA cover page .

MLA cover page

When using an MLA format cover page, it is not required. Your instructor will let you know whether they require a cover. For some assignments, a cover can make your paper look more professional, so you should always consider adding one. For MLA, you will have to include:

• School or university name
• Title of your paper
• Name of the class
• Name of your professor
• Date of submission

Note: Different instructors may have different style requirements. You may need to add other details to the cover page.

Like in APA, the format cover page is double-spaced and the letters are centered on the page. The name of your university should be typed first, after which you can skip down to a third of the page and add the title of the research paper. From here, you can skip several lines and add the rest of the details. These details should be on the bottom half of the page.

Chicago style cover page

Usually, the Chicago style does not require a cover. However, they may be requested for individual assignments. In this case, the Chicago cover page includes the title of your page, the name of the author, the name of your teacher, the course title, and the due date. The title should be typed at about one-third of the way down the page. Some professors accept covers using 11 pt. Arial font, but the most widely used font is 12 pt. Times New Roman. You should generally avoid using fancy fonts or underlining the text. You can only use bold for the title and subtitle. The page should be double-spaced. The page number should not be included in a Chicago style cover page.

Cover page for students

Creating a student cover page involves considering the essential elements that offer a concise overview of the work, while also adhering to any style or formatting guidelines in place. Here’s a general outline of what should be included.

• Title of the document/paper Ideally placed at the center of the page Should be specific and concise, capturing the essence of the paper
• Student’s name Usually positioned under the title Full name is recommended unless specified otherwise
• Course name and code Essential for academic submissions to ensure the paper reaches the correct instructor or department
• Instructor/professor’s name Specify the honorific title (e.g., Dr., Prof.) if applicable
• Date of submission Can be written in different formats (e.g., September 21, 2023, or 21-09-2023) depending on institutional or style guide preferences
• Institution Name Name of the school, college, or university
• Class or section If applicable Especially useful for larger courses with multiple sections
• Assignment number or type Optional E.g., “Assignment 1”, “Final Project”, “Research Paper”, etc.

Formatting tips

Use a readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Typically, a 12 pt. font size is recommended. Details on the cover are usually double-spaced for clarity. Ensure you have standard margins (typically 1 inch, so 2.54 cm, on all sides) unless specified otherwise by your institution or style guide. Most of the details are typically centered on the page, but some style guides might have different requirements. Always refer to specific institutional guidelines or the requested style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) as they may have distinct stipulations for page composition.

How do you write a title page for an essay?

The title page of your academic essay should be simple and straightforward, and it should only consist of text. For the cover page design, you should consult the latest manual of your institution. You may be required to use a certain style of formatting, such as APA, or MLA. The requirements for an APA title page differ from the requirements of an MLA title page .

Does the title page count as one page?

The title page will take up a whole page of your essay. However, it does not count as one page in terms of the page count for your essay . The table of contents and bibliography are also not included in the word/page count of your essay.

How do you format the names of multiple authors?

If more than one person was involved in writing the paper, all the names should be clearly indicated. The format used will depend on the affiliations of the authors and the institution that they’re working with. For an APA cover page, the authors should be listed below the title of the paper. List their first names, middle initials, and last names with any titles and qualifications.

Is a cover page always required?

The cover page is typically required when you use the APA citation style. With the MLA and Chicago formats, your instructor will advise you on whether you have to include a cover. However, more often than not, MLA formatting does not require a title page.

Will you be penalized for adding a cover page when it is not required?

No instructor will penalize you for including a cover page when it is not strictly required. You should consider adding one if you are uncertain whether it is required for your academic writing work. Nevertheless, you should check with your institution anyway to ensure that you’re fulfilling all requirements.

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