The Purdue Owl Chicago Guide is a widely used resource for formatting and citing sources in the Chicago style. The Chicago Manual of Style, currently in its 17th edition, provides guidelines for formatting, grammar, and punctuation, as well as citation styles for various sources. The Purdue Owl, a popular online writing lab, offers a comprehensive guide to the Chicago style, including examples and explanations for citing different types of sources.
History of the Chicago Manual of Style
The first edition of the Chicago Manual of Style was published in 1906 by the University of Chicago Press. Since then, the manual has undergone numerous revisions, with the most recent edition being published in 2017. The Chicago style is widely used in the humanities, social sciences, and other fields, and is known for its flexibility and adaptability to different types of sources and formats.
Chicago Style Citation Guidelines
The Chicago style uses a notes-bibliography system, where sources are cited using footnotes or endnotes, and a corresponding bibliography is included at the end of the paper. The Purdue Owl Chicago Guide provides detailed instructions on how to format citations for different types of sources, including books, articles, websites, and more. For example, a citation for a book might look like this: Author’s Name, Title of Book (City: Publisher, Year of Publication), page numbers.
| Source Type | Citation Format |
|---|---|
| Book | Author's Name, Title of Book (City: Publisher, Year of Publication), page numbers |
| Article | Author's Name, "Title of Article," Title of Journal Volume, no. Issue (Year of Publication): page numbers |
| Website | Author's Name, "Title of Webpage," Title of Website, accessed Date, URL |
Formatting Guidelines
The Chicago style also provides guidelines for formatting papers, including margins, font, and line spacing. The Purdue Owl Chicago Guide recommends using a legible font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in size 12 points, with one-inch margins on all sides. The text should be double-spaced, with no extra space between paragraphs.
Headings and Subheadings
The Chicago style uses a hierarchical system of headings and subheadings to organize the paper. The main headings are centered and in title case, while subheadings are left-justified and in sentence case. The Purdue Owl Chicago Guide provides examples of how to format headings and subheadings, as well as other elements, such as tables and figures.
The Chicago style is a widely used and respected formatting and citation style, and the Purdue Owl Chicago Guide is an invaluable resource for writers who need to use this style. By following the guidelines and examples provided in the guide, writers can ensure that their papers are well-formatted and properly cited, and that they give credit to the original authors.
What is the difference between the Chicago style and other citation styles?
+The Chicago style is a notes-bibliography system, which means that sources are cited using footnotes or endnotes, and a corresponding bibliography is included at the end of the paper. This is in contrast to other citation styles, such as MLA or APA, which use an author-date system.
How do I format a citation for a source with multiple authors?
+According to the Chicago style, a citation for a source with multiple authors should list all the authors’ names, separated by commas, in the order they appear on the source. For example: John Smith, Jane Doe, and Bob Johnson, Title of Book (City: Publisher, Year of Publication), page numbers.
Can I use the Chicago style for any type of paper or project?
+While the Chicago style is widely used in the humanities and social sciences, it may not be suitable for all types of papers or projects. It’s essential to check with your instructor or consult the relevant style guide to determine the most appropriate citation style for your specific project.
