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What is Chicago Style Format? Complete Guide with Examples

Daniel Felix
By Daniel Felix ·

What is Chicago Style Format?

What is Chicago Style Format? Complete Guide with Examples

Chicago style, established by The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), is a comprehensive formatting and citation system widely used in history, literature, and the arts. With two distinct citation systems—notes-bibliography and author-date—it offers flexibility for different academic disciplines while maintaining scholarly rigor.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Chicago style, from basic formatting to complex citations. We'll cover both citation systems and provide clear examples to help you master this versatile academic style.

Two Citation Systems

Chicago style offers two citation systems: notes-bibliography (commonly used in humanities) and author-date (preferred in sciences and social sciences). Choose the system that best fits your field and follow it consistently throughout your document.

Basic Formatting Guidelines

  1. Document Setup

    • 1-inch margins
    • Double-spaced text
    • Times New Roman 12pt
    • Page numbers in header

  2. Title Page

    • Title (centered)
    • Author information
    • Course details
    • Date

  3. Main Text

    • Indent first line
    • Block quotes format
    • Headings hierarchy

Citation Examples

• Footnote: ¹John Smith, Book Title (City: Publisher, 2023), 45.

• Bibliography: Smith, John. Book Title. City: Publisher, 2023.

• Author-Date: (Smith 2023, 45)

Notes-Bibliography System

  1. Footnotes/Endnotes

    • Superscript numbers
    • Full citation first
    • Shortened citations after
    • Ibid. usage

  2. Bibliography

    • Alphabetical order
    • Hanging indent
    • Full source information

  3. Special Cases

    • Multiple authors
    • Electronic sources
    • Secondary sources
Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Mixing citation systems
  • Incorrect note numbering
  • Inconsistent bibliography format

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose based on your field and assignment requirements. Notes-bibliography is common in humanities, while author-date is preferred in sciences and social sciences. When in doubt, ask your instructor.

Use Ibid. (meaning "in the same place") when citing the same source consecutively. If the page number differs, add it after Ibid. For example: Ibid., 45. However, some style guides now discourage Ibid. in favor of shortened citations.

Usually, yes. Footnotes provide specific page references and reading flow, while the bibliography provides complete source information for all works cited. Some shorter papers might only require notes, but check with your instructor.

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