How to Cite in Chicago Style Citation: Format & Examples

Basics of Chicago Style Formatting

It is one of the most commonly used citation style formatting and has specific rules that help ensure consistency and professionalism in academic writing. Here are the key guidelines for this citation style:

• Font and Size: Use a standard, readable font such as Times New Roman, 12-point size.
• Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
• Line Spacing: Double-space the main text, but single-space block quotations, footnotes, and bibliography entries.
• Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch (typically one tab).
• Page Numbers: Place page numbers in the top right corner of each page, starting from the first page of text (usually after the title page).
• Title Page: Chicago style often requires a separate title page that includes:
  
  Title of the paper (centered and halfway down the page)
  Your name, course, instructor, and date, all centered a few lines below the title.
  
  
• Headings: Headings can be used to organize the paper. Chicago style allows multiple levels of headings, each with distinct formatting (bold, italic, or regular text), though it depends on the instructor’s preference.

Chicago Style Citation Formats

Chicago style offers two main systems for citing sources, depending on the subject area: 

• The Notes and Bibliography System, commonly used in humanities 
• The Author-Date System, preferred in sciences and social sciences.

Notes and Bibliography

In the Notes and Bibliography system, citations are made using either footnotes or endnotes, with a corresponding bibliography at the end of the paper. This method is favored in subjects like history, art, and philosophy, where extensive commentary on sources may be needed.

This format allows for detailed citations and commentary within the footnotes or endnotes, making it particularly useful for providing additional context that doesn’t fit within the main text.

Author-Date System 

The Author-Date system is commonly used in disciplines like biology, sociology, and economics. In this system, the author’s last name and the year of publication are included in the text, with a full reference list at the end of the document.

This system is streamlined for fields where citation needs to be quick and simple, with the focus on the most recent research.

How to Format a Paper in Chicago Style

While the Chicago format shares some similarities with APA and MLA formats, it has distinct rules, particularly in the use of footnotes or endnotes for citations. 

Here are the basic guidelines for Chicago manual style of format:

Chicago Style Title Page

In Chicago style, a title page is not always required. However, if your instructor asks for one, follow these rules:

• Title: The paper's title should be centered about one-third of the way down the page and written in title case (capitalize major words). Use the same font as the rest of the paper, typically Times New Roman, 12-point.
• Subtitle: If your paper has a subtitle, it should follow the title, separated by a colon. For example:
  "The Impact of the Renaissance: Art, Culture, and Society in 15th Century Europe"
• Additional Information: Directly below the title and subtitle, include your name, the course title, your instructor's name, and the submission date, all centered and double-spaced.
• No Page Number: The title page does not have a page number. Numbering starts from the second page of the document.

Example

Chicago Style Headings

Chicago style allows multiple levels of headings to organize your content. Headings should be clear and consistent:

• Primary Headings: Typically bold and centered. Use a larger font size (14-point) if desired.
• Secondary Headings: Left-aligned and italicized. These should be in the same font size as the main text (12-point).
• Subheadings: Indented, italicized, and used only when necessary.

Example

Chicago Style Quotes

In Chicago style, block quotes are used for prose that is five or more lines long:

• Block Quotes: Indent the entire quote 1 inch from the left margin. Block quotes are single-spaced, with no quotation marks.
• Short Quotes: Shorter quotes remain within the main text, surrounded by quotation marks.

Example

Chicago Style References and Bibliography

The bibliography is a critical part of a Chicago-style paper. It lists all sources used and is typically placed at the end of the paper.

• Format: The bibliography is single-spaced with one blank line between entries. Each entry after the first line should be indented by half an inch (hanging indent).
• Annotated Bibliography: If required, add annotations after each source, using double spacing between lines.

Example

Chicago Style In-Text Citation

There are two citation methods in Chicago Style:

1. Notes and Bibliography: Sources are cited in footnotes or endnotes, and a bibliography is included at the end of the paper.
   
   

The footnote number appears at the bottom of the page.

1. Author-Date: Sources are cited within the text using parentheses, including the author's last name and the year of publication.
   
   

Chicago Style Numbers and Acronyms

• Numbers: Write out numbers under 100. For example, use "thirty" instead of "30."
• Acronyms: Spell out acronyms the first time they appear in the text, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. For example, "World Health Organization (WHO)."

Example

Chicago Style Footnote Citation

In the Notes and Bibliography system, footnotes are used to provide source citations at the bottom of each page.

• Format: Footnotes are in the same font as the main text but slightly smaller (10-point). They should be numbered consecutively throughout the paper.
• Adding Footnotes: In Microsoft Word, you can insert footnotes by selecting "Insert Footnote" from the References tab.

Example 

Now that you know the basics of Chicago style, you can confidently get started on formatting your paper. With a clear understanding of how to structure your title page, headings, citations, and bibliography, you're well on your way to mastering this citation style.

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