Also known as “Editor’s bible”, the Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition) is used for a wide range of literary pieces, covering fields like Humanities, Social Sciences, and Academics. From book publication and research journals to manuscript writing and documentation, the Chicago Citation Format is used everywhere.
CMOS generally has two citation formats: Author-Date (for sciences) and Notes and Bibliography (using footnotes/endnotes). In this article, we will specifically discuss each in detail.
Key Takeaways on Chicago Citation Format
- Chicago style has two systems: Notes-Bibliography (humanities) and Author-Date (sciences).
- The Notes system features superscript numbers following punctuation that connect to footnotes or endnotes.
- “Full Notes” are required for the first citation, while “Short Notes” are used for all subsequent mentions.
- Bibliography entries invert the author’s name (Last, First) and are organized in alphabetical order.
- Use “et al.” to keep notes brief for four or more authors.
What is the Chicago Citation Format for Notes & Bibliography?
The Chicago style citation format for Notes and Bibliography uses in-text superscript numbers. These numbers are linked to footnote (bottom of the page) or endnotes (end of the paper) references. For more on crediting sources correctly, see our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assignments.
Chicago notes and bibliography style pairs the citations with a final bibliography, which is alphabetically ordered. The standard use of this kind of citation is generally found in history, literature, arts, and other humanities subjects. If you also write for medical journals, see our guide on how to cite sources in AMA style.
How to Cite Sources with the Chicago Style Footnotes and Endnotes?
Chicago style citation of sources includes the following steps:
- At the end of the clause or sentence, place a superscript number.
- The number must be placed after the punctuation mark.
- Correspond this superscript number to the numbered footnote or endnote (choose any).
- If a sentence ends with a quotation, the footnote is placed after the closing quotation marks
- If you cite multiple sources, place a single footnote at the end of the sentence. Then, include all citations separated by semicolons. (Note: If you are writing a healthcare paper instead of humanities, citing multiple sources in AMA style uses superscript numbers separated by commas or hyphens rather than footnotes).
Here’s a Chicago footnote citation example:
Many word-processing systems (e.g., Microsoft Word) auto-link the superscript numbers with notes.
Types of Chicago Footnote Citation – Full Notes vs. Short Notes
Chicago style citation can be of two types: Short notes and full notes.
| Aspects | Full Notes | Short Notes |
| What it includes: | Complete source information is provided. |
Only includes:
|
| Standards Rules | For the first citation of each source | For subsequent citations of the same source |
Note: Different fields may have different MLA vs APA vs Chicago guidelines. Sometimes, you may have to use any of the type everytime for Chicago style first and subsequent footnotes. Therefore, check your instructor’s rules properly if unsure.
How to Cite Multiple Authors in Chicago Style Source Notes?
A single source may have multiple authors. In that case, you can list up to 3 authors in the citation notes. If there are more, you need to mention “et al” – a Latin phrase meaning “and others”.
If you need help with the Chicago Manual of Style citation for your academic writing, consider taking professional Assignment Help services.
How to Format a Chicago Bibliography Entry?
The Chicago style bibliography format lists full references for all sources. They are arranged in alphabetical order by author’s last name. These appear