How To Format An Essay In Chicago Style Format

The Chicago style format is a popular and widely used style manual, especially common among students. It is a unique paper formatting with a specified page layout and plan adopted for publications in social sciences and history. It comes with detailed instructions related to citation, referencing, formatting, etc. In this guide, we will share information on the Chicago format of writing. It will improve your grasp of academic writing and boost your confidence. So, let’s jump right in and understand the intricacies of this Chicago manual-style format!

What Is Chicago Style Paper Format?

The Chicago style paper format was introduced in American English writing. The University of Chicago Press was the first to publish the Chicago manual of style citation. It contains exhaustive instructions related to the structuring and styling of the publications and research papers. Chicago style explains various elements such as manuscript presentation, grammar, and citations format. Furthermore, it also helps you understand the proper way to quote others’ work in your paper.

The first Chicago manual was introduced in 1906 and today we have its 17^th edition. The Chicago manual style has two major types:

• Author-date system: It is used in Social Sciences
• Notes-bibliography system: It is used in History, Literature, Arts

How Does Chicago Style Differ From Turabian Style?

To put it simply, look at Turabian style as student’s edition of the famous Chicago manual of style format. It comes in handy for writing a thesis, dissertations, and other types of academic papers that are not to be published. It was invented by Kate Turabian from the University of Chicago, and named after her. Although both Chicago and Turabian styles are quite similar, the Chicago manual is preferred by publishers and professional scholars.

One of the major differences between them is the way the notes are numbered.

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When it comes to citation systems, just like the Chicago style the Turabian style also follows “Author-date” and “Notes-bibliography”. However, students should always go with their instructor’s suggestions.

Major Types Of Chicago Manual Style Formats

As we have already mentioned earlier, a Chicago format paper can be drafted according to two different types. And, by that, we mean two varying types of citation systems. These are the “Notes-bibliography” system, and the “Author-date” system.

Let’s explain them in detail.

The “author-date” system is utilized in the science field. The source citation is done with a parenthesis which includes the author’s name, page number, and the year of publication.

Here is an example:

(Justin 2020, 28)

The “notes-bibliography” system in Chicago style paper is a preferable choice for humanities disciplines. The source citation consists of footnotes or endnotes. Further, the information in the bibliography adds-on to the overall details. When you include the bibliography, the in-text citation is usually brief.

Are Chicago Style Format And APA Format The Same?

By now, I am sure you have got some idea about what is Chicago style format is. But, is it similar to APA format?

The APA referencing format is quite different from the Chicago format. Hence, it is crucial to first understand them in and out. Only, then you would be able to put forth information precisely.

The prime difference is in the in-text citation. The in-text citation parenthesis for both of these referencing styles involves a page number and the author’s last name. However, the year of a source’s publication is specified in the APA format, but the Chicago format does not include it.

The APA formatting consists of in-text citations, whereas the Chicago style utilizes footnotes for source citations. Footnotes offer more information regarding the sources than in-text citations.

If we talk about the similarities between APA and Chicago formats:

• The page numbers are specified on the upper-right end of the paper.
• The sources in referencing or bibliography include the last full names of the authors.

Essential Elements Of Chicago Style Paper Format

A Chicago style paper comprises multiple elements such as quotes, headings, footnotes, title page, etc. Each one of these elements has to be carefully arranged as per the latest edition of the Chicago manual of style format.

Now, let us take a detailed view of all these elements one by one to help you understand everything better.

Chicago Style Title Page

The cover page or title page serves as an introduction to your write-up. You must take care of spacing while crafting it. Here are some important things to remember while working on a Chicago style cover page:

• Mention the main title in the center of the page and keep it double-spaced.
• The student’s name should be included right under the title.
• The teacher’s name, date, and course number are specified at the bottom of the page. Make sure to put them in separate double-spaced lines.
• The cover page is not denoted with a page number.
• The cover page’s text should be centrally aligned and double-spaced.

Chicago Style Heading

Although the heading format in the Chicago manual of style is flexible, yet it is better to follow certain suggestions:

• All the headings must be placed in a new line.
• Keep all the levels clear and consistent.
• Avoid ending subheadings with periods.
• You must stick with a headline-capitalization style.
• Distinguish the subheadings using different font sizes.
• A maximum of three levels of hierarchy can be maintained.
• You can separate the different hierarchy levels on the page through different fonts or different placements.

Writing Block Quotes In Chicago Style

Blockquotes are prose quotations of five or more lines. Besides, the poetry quotations of two or more lines are also included under block quotes. Here are some guidelines to follow while penning down block quotes in Chicago style format.

• Never use quotation marks for the block quotes.
• Separate the block quotes using a blank line on both ends and include a 0.5 inch intend.
• Never double space block quotes.
• Set out the blockquote using a colon in the line that leads into the quote.

Numbers And Acronyms In Chicago Style

As per the Chicago manual of style format, words are used to denote numbers below 100 instead of numerals.

For example:

Write “eighty-seven” instead of 87

Though, always use numerals while referring to measurements. For instance, always write “19 cm” instead of “nineteen cm”, and “8.9” instead of “eight.nine”.

In the case of acronyms, mention their meaning the first time they appear in a Chicago format paper.

For example:

According to the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

After the first time, an acronym can appear as it is again. Also, the acronyms or numerals cannot be mentioned at the beginning of a sentence. Let us demonstrate this with an example:

• 50 people responded to the appeal. – Incorrect
• Fifty people responded to the appeal. – Correct
• The appeal received 50 responses. – Correct

Structuring Footnotes And Endnotes In Chicago Style Format

The prime purpose of endnotes or footnotes is reference citation. Moreover, they are used for commenting on the part of the work where it is used.

Endnotes are placed at the end of the paper and they utilize lengthy texts with plenty of citations.

Whereas footnotes appear at the bottom of the scholarly work as their major purpose is quick referencing. Another reason for using footnotes is adding some extra but interesting information in a Chicago style paper.

Follow these guidelines while writing footnotes and endnotes to achieve successful outcomes:

• Their key purpose is to include references in the paper.
• Citation numbers must follow a sequence.
• Each number should be corresponding to a footnote, citation, or endnote.
• Quotes and paraphrases are followed by a superscript number for source citation.
• Always place Chicago style footnotes at the bottom of the page.

For example:

Alexander Aciman and Emmett Rensin, Twitterature: The World’s Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less (New York: Penguin Books, 2009), 47-48.

In-Text Citations In Chicago Style

While writing a Chicago style essay or paper you can use any of the two popular in-citation styles based on the requirements. These are “notes-bibliography” style and “author-date” style.

In the “author-date” style, the citations are mentioned within the parentheses in the text. You need to specify the author’s name and the source’s publication date that you refer to in the work. You can use “author-date” citation in either of the below-mentioned ways:

1. According to F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)
2. In the Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald 1925)

Now, there is another popular citation style for Chicago style format, which is, “notes-bibliography” style. It helps authors cite the in-text references using a specific number. Then, they can mention a citation for each specified number in the endnotes or footnotes. Further, the footnotes and endnotes are placed at the end of the sentence of clause post any punctuation except a dash.

Chicago Style Citations

Let’s break it down.

Majorly, Chicago style citation is inclusive of four key elements:

1. Author’s details
2. Source’s title
3. The pages where you can locate the user information within the source.
4. Publication details (such as journal name, publisher’s name, year of publication, etc.)

You can follow these basic guidelines while citing a Chicago format paper:

• The name of the author: Enlist each author’s first and last name.
• Titles: Italicize the title of lengthy pieces including journals, books, etc. Use quotation marks for the titles of shorter works such as poems, chapters, articles, etc.
• Publication details: List the publisher first and then mention the journal’s title.
• Punctuation: Separate all the core elements with the help of periods.

How To Write In Chicago Style Format?

The Chicago style format is quite detailed and crisp, especially in terms of citations, quotations, and formatting.

Here are the basic guidelines about how to format a Chicago style essay or paper:

• Keep a standardized font size of 12 pt.
• The font style has to be Times New Roman.
• Make sure there is a 1-inch margin on each of the four sides of the paper.
• The texts should be double-spaced.
• Left-alignment is preferred unless you have a set of certain instructions.
• Specify the page numbers either at the bottom center or top right of the page.

If you are writing a paper in Chicago manual style, then you must stick to these points. The structure of a Chicago style format is quite simple. It is divided into three parts that include:

• Title page
• Main body
• Bibliography

All these parts have to be aligned one after another, as mentioned.

The Basic Rules Of Chicago Style Format

Even if you understand the proper structuring technique of the Chicago style format, it is essential to learn about the general rules. It will help you through your writing journey.

• The preferable font size is 12 pt, and it cannot be less than 10 pt.
• The margin cannot be less than 1 inch.
• There should not be spaces between the paragraphs.
• Everything must be double spaced except for table titles, figure captions, blockquotes, bibliography or references, and notes.
• Clear and easily readable fonts such as Courier and Times New Roman.
• In the Chicago style, page numbers are specified at the top right end. However, this rule does not apply to the title page. The first page has to be numbered as “1”.
• If you follow the “notes-bibliography” system of Chicago style format, the footnotes have to be included in the paraphrased or quoted passages.

Wrapping Up

The Chicago style format is quite a popular choice for writing styles. Students are mostly taught about APA, MLA, and Harvard styles. Thus, you must first understand the guidelines properly to deliver quality output. In this post, we have explained the fundamentals and all the important elements involved in the 17^th edition of the Chicago manual of style format. Still, you are facing trouble in writing your essay, not to worry we are here for you just visit us and get help from our best writers. Our writers are best at writing any kind of essay for you, in fact, we are best at writing a thesis also. So, don’t be hesitate to get the best essay from a perfect writer.