Chicago Format for Dummies

When writing an essay or research paper, one should be aware of the Chicago format and Chicago citation styles. When writing research papers, one should have an in-depth knowledge of the guidelines related to the Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies. Thus, before getting into the concepts of Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies, one should have a basic understanding of what does Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies actually means.

Chicago for Dummies or Chicago Format for Dummies

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS, Chicago, or CMOS) covers aspects ranging from manuscript preparation to grammar, usage of Chicago format, and Chicago citation. The Chicago Manual of Style was first issued in the year 1906 with the title manual of style: It was a compilation of the typographical rules in force at the University of Chicago Press, which was later shortened to Chicago Manual of style. The content is related to the Chicago format for dummies. Chicago for dummies guide has grown from 200 pages to 984 pages in the fifth edition. The editions related to Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies has been updated to reflect the advancement of Internet and Computer technology. Thus, the guide for Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies includes new sections comprising of e-publication and guidance of Chicago citation or Chicago format of electronic sources.

Therefore, the Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies/Turabian style is used in many disciplines. Even the Chicago format for dummies/Chicago for dummies and Turabian styles are used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Chicago manual style of Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies follows the latest 16th edition published in the year 2010.

In Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies, the Chicago manual of style is also called “Editors Bible” and is predominant in social sciences, humanities, and historical journals. There are two Chicago manual documentation styles related to Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies which are:

The notes-bibliography system: The Chicago notes-bibliography system is widely used in history, literature, and arts publication. This style of Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies requires the use of footnotes or endnotes every time a resource is referenced, whether it is a paraphrased passage or a direct quote or a summary.

In the notes-bibliography system style of Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies, Chicago citation is referenced in the text through a superscript number referencing the complete bibliographical information. Moreover, there are certain specific rules in the notes-bibliography system style of Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies that, when quoting multiple Chicago citations of the same source, one should use the word “ibid” which is derived from the Latin word ibidem which means “in the same place.”

Also, as per Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies, the Bibliography is written in alphabetical order of all sources referenced in the research work. Also, as per the Chicago format, all the references are written at the end of the research work. As per Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies, the Chicago format and Chicago citation may vary according to the format of the original source like books, websites, articles, etc. Moreover, there are specific punctuation rules for the name of the authors, title of the work and the date on the publication title.

The author-date system: The author-date system in Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies is used primarily for social science and science disciplines. There are two differences between the notes-bibliography system and the author-date system. The author-date system uses text citations in the brackets after the source reference. In contrast, in the notes-bibliography system of citation format for dummies, a citation for dummies uses footnotes, and endnotes in Chicago citations are indicated by superscript numbers.

Another difference is the use of references as opposed to a bibliography. Even the purpose is the same, but the punctuation and the order rules for Chicago citation are different in Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies.

Chicago Format

• Overall page layout
• One inch margin on all the sides of the pages.
• Using font which is readable and the common one is Times New Roman at 12 pt. Font.
• Double spacing the text of the paper.
• Left justify text.
• Using half indent for paragraph beginning block quotes and hanging indents while Chicago citation.
• The number of pages should be mentioned in the top right corner of the paper, starting with the very first paper of the text.

Cover Page

• Center the title of the page in the middle and halfway down.
• Center the name directly under the title.
• The cover page should also include the teacher name, course title, and the date, which are to be written in three different lines centered at the bottom of the page.
• Use times or times new Roman 12 pt font on the cover page. One should also ensure not to make the cover page decorative by using underline bold or creative fonts.
• One should also ensure not to put a page number on the cover. The cover page should not be counted as a part of the total page count.

Structure of Chicago Format for Dummies or Chicago for Dummies

• The cover page or the title page
• Body of the paper
• Appendix ( if needed)
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Names and numbers
• One should use the full names of people and agencies when used for the very first time. For agencies, one can include acronyms in parentheses after the full name like international monetary fund ( IMF).
• After the first name, one can refer to the people by the last name by the acronyms in the rest of the paper.
• One should write out numbers lower than a hundred. (“all 9 members of the legislative Assembly….”).

Footnote and Endnote

• Footnotes are mentioned at the bottom of the page where the reference occurs.
• Endnote is written on a separate page after the body of the paper. Both the footnote and endnote follow standard Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies.
• Within the essay text, one should ensure to put the note number at the end of the sentence where the reference is written.
• The note number should be written after all other punctuation.
• One should use Arabic numerals rather than Arabic numerals.
• One should put the word notes at the top of the page with the enclosure in Times New Roman in 10 pt. Font.
• Single space in each entry and double space between each entry.
• One should also indent the first line of each note in Chicago format for dummies.
• In Chicago format for dummies, one should never reuse a number. Therefore, one should use a new number for every reference, even if you have used that reference previously.
• One should use a shortened form in Chicago citation if one has used that reference more than once.
• When citing multiple sources in a single note, one should separate the Chicago citation with a semicolon.

Bibliography

• The Bibliography in Chicago format for dummies should be on a separate page, having a heading bibliography which is to be centered at the top of the page in Times New Roman 12 pt font. One should also ensure not to use large size or bold font for the heading.
• One should be careful to use proper Chicago formatting as note and bibliography styles are different.
• In Bibliography, one should use a hanging indent. The first line of the Chicago citation begins at the margin, and the subsequent lines are indented.
• If the source has no author, one should alphabetize the title.
• No need to separate primary and secondary sources unless it is required by the University or the college.

Watch out for the Common Errors

• Note format uses the first name, last name, whereas Bibliography uses last name first name.
• One should pay attention not to reuse numbers. Each Chicago citation should be a new number.
• One should not put works cited at the top of the Bibliography, which is an MLA format.
• The Bibliography should be written in alphabetical order by the author. Notes are numbered and are listed in the order the sources are used.
• One should keep a check on indents.

Advantages of Chicago Citation or Chicago Format

Streamlined citations: Chicago format of Chicago citation includes summarized references in the body and full citation in the Bibliography. Therefore, by using the Chicago style, it gives streamlined citations and a proper structure to the research paper.

Straight forward structure: Chicago format encourages standard structure, which comprises of title page, body, appendix notes, and Bibliography. Moreover, it saves space and avoids repetitive text.

Uniformity: Chicago format for dummies or Chicago for dummies provides consistency to both the Chicago citation and the format of the research paper. It clarifies and presents standard writing. Also, it facilitates any scholar who is looking for the related topic to navigate the text easily. Chicago format provides clarity to the writing along with precision. Moreover, it provides credibility to the writing and reflects the research extent along with the novelty of the original ideas.