What is Chicago Style? Guide to Notes, Bibliographies & Author-Date Citation Formats

What is Chicago Style?

Chicago Style is a citation and formatting system developed by the University of Chicago Press. It’s widely used in history, arts, and humanities for its flexibility and detailed referencing options.

The Two Systems in Chicago Style

• Notes-Bibliography System: Common in humanities; uses footnotes or endnotes with a full bibliography.
• Author-Date System: Common in sciences and social sciences; uses in-text citations with an author and year.

Notes-Bibliography Example

Footnote: 1. John Smith, Modern History of Europe (New York: Oxford University Press, 2020), 45.

Bibliography: Smith, John. Modern History of Europe. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020.

Author-Date Example

In-text: (Smith 2020, 45)

Reference: Smith, John. 2020. Modern History of Europe. New York: Oxford University Press.

Formatting Guidelines

• 1-inch margins, double-spaced text.
• Readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt).
• Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page.

Best Practices

• Be consistent in using one system throughout the paper.
• Always include page numbers for quotes or specific ideas.
• Consult the Chicago Manual of Style for detailed rules (17th edition).

Final Thoughts

Chicago Style’s flexibility makes it ideal for diverse disciplines. Whether using footnotes or in-text citations, the goal is clarity, accuracy, and academic integrity.