The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is a style system that guides writers, researchers, and publishers to structure their written work and references. Knowing how to cite using the Chicago Manual of Style citation is a necessary skill for anyone studying, working, or collaborating in the disciplines that use them. There are two documentation styles in CMOS: the Notes-Bibliography system (NB) and the Author-Date system. These two styles are identical in content, but different in form. If you need help in using either, or in applying CMOS in general, you can easily hire Chicago Manual of Style specialists on Guru to ensure that you follow the rules correctly and employ the style properly in your work.
What Is the Chicago Manual of Style?
The Chicago Manual of Style is a style guide by the University of Chicago that establishes written standards of communication concerning the format, layout, and citation of publications. Using the Chicago Manual of Style is advantageous to writers, editors, and readers alike–it simplifies the work of writing, editing, and publishing as there’s a structure to follow, and the style makes it easier to efficiently understand the text.
Who Uses the Chicago Manual of Style?
The Chicago Manual of Style is the preferred style system of those in the disciplines of:
- History
- Humanities
- Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Religion
- Art
Chicago Manual of Style Citation
Chicago-style source citations come in two forms: Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date.
Notes and Bibliography Style
In the NB style, citations are provided in numbered footnotes or endnotes, each one corresponding to a raised number (or superscript) in the text. These sources are also usually accompanied by a separate bibliography.
The NB style can accommodate a wide variety of sources, including those that don’t fit neatly into the alternative Author-Date style. It’s preferred by many in the humanities disciplines, such as history, literature, and the arts.
Author-Date Style
The Author-Date system, which is sometimes also called the “Reference List” style, cites sources in the text by the author’s last name and the year of publication using parenthesis. Each in-text citation matches up with an entry in a reference (or “Works Cited”) list which provides full bibliographic information.
How to Cite Using Chicago Manual of Style
The format of citations varies depending on the type of source (e.g. book, journal, website, etc.) and the available information. Here are some examples:
Book Citation
For books in NB style, the footnote or endnote format follows:
Author first name last name, Title of Book (Place of publication: publisher, year), page number(s).
Then, for the bibliography, it’s:
Author last name, first name. Title of Book. Place of publication: publisher, year.
In Author-Date style, on the other hand, the format for the in-text citation is:
(Author last name year, page number(s)).
While for the reference list, you must write it as:
Author last name, first name. Year. Title of Book. Place of publication: publisher.
Journal Citation
For journals, the NB style follows the following format for the footnote or endnote:
Author first name last name, “Title of Article,” Name of Journal volume, no. issue (month and year): page number(s). DOI if applicable.
For the bibliography, it’s:
Author last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Name of Journal volume, no. issue (month/season year): page range of the article. DOI if applicable.
When writing the in-text citation for the Author-Date format, follow:
(Author last name year, page number(s))
Then, for the reference list, it’s:
Author last name, first name. Year. “Title of article.” Name of Journal volume, no. issue (month/season): page range of the article. DOI if applicable.
Note that if you’re citing online journal articles, you should use the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or a stable URL, not the URL that appears in the address bar.
Website Citation
For website citations in NB style (without author or date), write it as:
“Title of Page,” Website, accessed month date, year, URL.
On the bibliography, it should be formatted as:
Website. “Title of Page.” Accessed month date, year. URL.
For in-text citations in the Author-Date style, it’s much simpler–just:
(Website, n.d.)
Then, you write it on the reference list as:
Website. n.d. “Title of work.” Accessed month date, year. URL.
Hire a Chicago Manual of Style Specialist on Guru
Remembering and applying all the CMOS rules can be confusing, and ensuring that the guidelines are followed can take a lot of work. If you need help, you can hire a Chicago Manual of Style specialist on Guru. These freelancers can ensure that you follow the correct citation styles throughout your work and that your publication properly fits the standard of your field–simply browse through Guru and find an experienced CMOS specialist today!
