Our writers are ready to help! Get 15% OFF your first paper

Hire our writerHire writer

A Comprehensive Guide to Chicago Style Formatting

Chicago Style formatting, created by the University of Chicago Press, is popular in academic writing for history, literature, and the arts. It offers clear rules for grammar, citations, and formatting academic papers.

Its flexibility and comprehensive coverage make it popular among writers and researchers. This article will walk you through the essential components of Chicago Style formatting, giving you a thorough understanding of how to format your papers properly.

General Formatting Guidelines

Chicago Style is known for its attention to detail. Here are the key elements to consider when formatting your papers:

  • Font and Typeface: Use a readable and standard typeface like 12 pt. Times New Roman. This ensures clarity and consistency throughout your research paper.
  • Margins and Spacing: Set your margins to at least one inch on all pages. Double-space the main text of your document, and use a ½ inch indent for new paragraphs. The text should be left-aligned and not justified. However, block quotations, notes, and bibliographic entries should be single-spaced with a blank line between each entry or paragraph.
  • Page Numbers: Page numbers can be placed in the top right or bottom center of each page. Start numbering on the first page of text, but do not include a page number on the title page.

Title Page

A Chicago Style title page is only sometimes required. If your instructor doesn't ask for one, just put your title at the top of the first page. If a title page is requested, follow these guidelines:

  • Title Placement: Place the title about ⅓ of the way down the page, in bold and with headline capitalization.
  • Additional Information: About ⅔ of the way down the page, include your name, student number, course name and number, date, and any other requested information. This text should be double-spaced and centered.
  • No Page Number: The title page itself should not have a page number, but it counts in the overall page count, so start the main text on page 2.

Chicago Style allows you to use multiple levels of headings to organize your paper:

  • Headline Capitalization: Capitalize important words in all headings.
  • Levels of Headings: The first level is the highest and should be centered. Use a larger font for chapter headings, left-aligned bold for section headings, and left-aligned italics for subheadings.
  • Consistency: Make sure all headings of the same level look the same.
Example:

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1: Background

1.1.1: Historical Context

1.1.2: Social Implications

Chicago Style Citations

Notes and Bibliography

This system is often used in humanities disciplines like history and literature. It involves citing sources with footnotes or endnotes and includes a bibliography.

• Footnotes/Endnotes: When citing a source, add a superscript number at the end of the sentence or clause. This number corresponds to a footnote or endnote. The first note for each source should give full publication details. Subsequent notes for the same source can use a shortened form.

Example of a footnote:

1. Kirsten Burroughs, The History of Ancient Rome (New York: Academic Press, 2020), 45.

Shortened form for subsequent notes:

2. Burroughs, Ancient Rome, 72.

• Bibliography: The bibliography lists all sources cited in your research paper. Entries should be alphabetized by the author’s last name and include full publication details.

Example of a bibliography entry:

Burroughs, Kirsten. The History of Ancient Rome. New York: Academic Press, 2020.

Author-Date System

This system is often used in the sciences and social sciences. In-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication, with a full reference list at the end of the document.

• In-Text Citations: Put the author’s last name and year of publication in parentheses directly in the text.

Example:

(Burroughs 2020, 45)

• Reference List: Similar to a bibliography, the reference list includes all sources cited in the text, organized alphabetically by the author’s last name.

Example of a reference list entry:

Burroughs, Kirsten. 2020. The History of Ancient Rome. New York: Academic Press.

Formatting Specific Sections

Different sections of a Chicago Style paper have unique formatting requirements. Below are guidelines for some of the most common sections:

Block Quotations

For quotations that are five or more lines (or over 100 words), Chicago Style uses a block quotation format.

• Formatting tip: Block quotes should be indented by an additional ½ inch from the left margin and should not use quotation marks. They are single-spaced, with a blank line before and after the quotation to separate it from the surrounding text.

Example:

In her comprehensive work on the history of Ancient Rome, Burroughs describes the significance of the Roman Forum:

The Roman Forum was the heart of political, religious, and social life in ancient Rome. It served as a bustling marketplace, a venue for public speeches and debates, and a center for religious ceremonies. Surrounding the Forum were important government buildings, temples, and monuments, showcasing the power and grandeur of the Roman Empire. (Burroughs, Ancient Rome, 72)

Numbers and Acronyms

Chicago Style has specific guidelines for the use of numbers and acronyms:

  • Numbers: Use words for numbers lower than 100 (e.g., ninety-five). However, use numerals for specific measurements (e.g., 15 cm) and decimals (e.g., 1.5). Avoid starting a sentence with a numeral.
  • Acronyms: Introduce acronyms at their first use by writing out the full term followed by the acronym in parentheses (e.g., American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)). After this, you can use the acronym alone.

Tables and Figures

Each table or figure should have a number and a descriptive title:

  • Placement: The number and title should be placed above the table or figure. Any source notes or explanatory information should be below.
  • Formatting: Ensure that tables and figures are clear and easy to read, with consistent formatting throughout.
Example:

Table 2: Population Growth of Ancient Rome from 753 BCE to 476 CE

Special Considerations

Chicago Style also addresses a variety of special cases and complex citations

1. Multiple Authors: For works with up to three authors, include all their names in your citation. For works with more than three authors, just use the first author’s name followed by “et al.”

Example for up to three authors:

Brown, Emma, David Green, and Sarah White. The Evolution of Language. New York: Linguistics Press, 2021.

Example for more than three authors:

Brown, Emma, et al. The Evolution of Language. New York: Linguistics Press, 2021.

2. Online Sources: When citing online sources, add the URL or DOI. If there's no publication date for web pages, include the date you accessed the information.

Example

White, Sarah. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Nature Conservation 12, no. 2 (2023): 45-67. Accessed May 15, 2024.

https://www.natureconservation.com/climate_change_biodiversity.

Conclusion

Mastering Chicago Style formatting means paying close attention to details and sticking to its guidelines. By following these rules, you can ensure your academic writing is clear, professional, and credible.

Whether you are writing a research paper, a thesis, or a dissertation, Chicago Style helps you effectively communicate your ideas and findings. Always consult the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style for the newest guidelines and tips.

More interesting articles