Writing a research paper in Chicago style requires following the standards set forth in the Chicago Manual of Style. The Chicago style, sometimes called “Turabian style” after the author Kate Turabian whose manual is based on the Chicago style, is commonly used in history, economics, business, and other disciplines. It is a note citation style that allows in-text citations that refer to an alphabetically-ordered bibliography rather than footnotes or endnotes. This article provides an overview of key elements for writing a Chicago style research paper, including formatting, citations, bibliographies, and more.
Formatting
The Chicago style has specific formatting guidelines including page layout, pagination, spacing, margins, and font. Chicago papers are typically double-spaced throughout, including block quotes, with 1-inch margins on all sides and a common font like Times New Roman in 12 point size. Page numbers are placed in the top right header and consist of a last name and page number (e.g. Smith 5). The title page includes the paper title, your name, course name and number, instructor’s name, and date centered on separate lines. Subsequent pages feature a shortened title in the header left-aligned.
Sections and Pages
The body of a Chicago style paper features clear section divisions with appropriate headings and subheadings as needed. Section introductions succinctly state what will be covered. Page formatting remains consistent throughout all sections and pages of the paper. Section endings transition smoothly into the next. The concluding section provides a brief summary and leaves the reader with final thoughts. Include all citations, footnotes, bibliography/reference list at the end.
In-Text Citations
Chicago style uses both footnotes/endnotes and parenthetical in-text citations to acknowledge sources. Parenthetical citations minimally include the author’s last name, year of publication, and relevant page number(s) enclosed in parentheses, for example (Smith, 2020, 45). With two or more authors, cite both names the first time only, thereafter use “et al.” Footnotes should be used only sparingly and provide more detail than brief parenthetical citations.
Bibliography/Reference List
The final section of a Chicago style paper features an alphabetized list of all cited sources with full bibliographic information. Head the page “Bibliography” centered at the top. Entries include the author’s name, publication information, publisher/website, and date. Book citations include title in italics, place of publication, publisher. Article citations feature title in quotation marks, journal title in italics, volume, issue, date, and page range. Websites and other electronic sources also include date accessed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some common mistakes in Chicago style papers include inconsistent or inaccurate citations, inconsistent formatting of citations and references, incorrect alphabetical order of references, incomplete bibliographic entries, missing publisher location for books, and failure to follow title capitalization rules. Take care to proofread citations thoroughly and double check referencing against the source documents. Consult the Chicago Manual periodically during the writing and editing process.
Research Process
Developing a successful Chicago style paper involves a rigorous research process. Begin with selecting a viable research topic and formulating a thesis statement. Conduct a comprehensive search for relevant high-quality sources from library databases and the open web. Read sources closely and take detailed notes properly citing information. Organize notes categorically to identify emerging patterns and themes. Draft an outline and introduction to guide writing the body sections. Paraphrase and summarize source information and judiciously incorporate short direct quotations to support points. Rearrange, expand, and modify the outline as needed until the paper achieves a coherent, well-supported, and synthesized final form within the prescribed length. Thoroughly proofread and polish the paper before submission.
Writing a research paper in Chicago style requires adhering to specific citation and formatting guidelines to accurately acknowledge sources and create a cohesive, professional composition. Following Chicago style demonstrates academic integrity and allows readers to easily follow cited claims back to original materials. Mastering Chicago style takes practice but will serve students and scholars well across many disciplines requiring documented research. With diligent effort and consultation of resources like the Chicago Manual, any researcher can produce clear, credible Chicago style papers.