You've Got Mail (But How Do You Cite It?) - A Guide to Chicago-Style Letter Citations for the Hilariously Confused
Ah, the letter. A beautiful relic of a bygone era, when people used actual penmanship and folded paper didn't require a degree in origami. But fear not, fellow history buffs and literature lovers! Even in our digital age, letters can be powerful sources. The only problem? Citing them in Chicago style can feel like deciphering hieroglyphics.
Worry not, weary scholars! This guide will be your Rosetta Stone, translating the arcane world of Chicago-style letter citations into something even your pet goldfish can understand (although, frankly, they'd probably prefer a good flake food breakdown).
First Things First: Friend or Foe? Published vs. Unpublished Letters
Published Letters: These are the rock stars of the letter world, appearing in fancy collections or archives. Citing them is a breeze. We'll get to that later.
Unpublished Letters: These are the hidden gems, tucked away in dusty attics or historical societies. For these, you'll need to channel your inner Indiana Jones. But fear not, adventure awaits!
Unpublished Letter Citations: A Quest for Information (and Maybe Some Cobwebs)
Here's where things get interesting. Imagine Indiana Jones, but instead of a whip, he's wielding a dusty library catalogue. You'll need to unearth as much information as possible about the letter:
- Who wrote it? (The Sender)
- Who'd it get sent to? (The Recipient, bless their mail-loving soul)
- When was this penned masterpiece composed? (The Date)
- Where was it written? (Location, location, location!)
Bonus points if you can find the title of the letter collection (if it's part of one) or the archive where it's chilling.
Here Comes the Fun Part: Putting it All Together (Chicago Style, Baby!)
Alright, you've gathered your intel. Now it's time to craft your citation for the bibliography. Here's the format:
- Author's Last Name, First Name Middle Initial. (This is the sender, not the poor recipient)
- Title of the Letter (in italics). (Hope it's catchy!)
- "Letter."
- From Name of Collection (if applicable), Name of Archive (if applicable).
- File number (if you have it, you legend, you!)
- Publication/creation date.
For example:
Jones, Indiana. Top Secret Plans for the Ark of the Covenant. "Letter." From Top Men Correspondence, National Archives, Washington D.C. File #Classified (Seriously, it's classified). 1938.
See? Easy as pie (well, maybe not pie, but definitely easier than escaping a booby-trapped temple).
In-Text Citations: Those Pesky Footnotes
Chicago doesn't use in-text citations, but it throws footnotes at you like confetti at a particularly enthusiastic parade. Here's the format:
- Number your footnote according to the first mention of the letter in your text.
- Start the footnote with the author's last name, then a comma, then a shortened version of the bibliography citation.
For example:
...the letter reveals [1].
- Jones, Top Secret Plans.
Simple, right? Now you can channel your inner scholar and impress everyone with your newfound knowledge of Chicago-style letter citations. They may not understand what you're talking about, but hey, at least you'll sound smart.
Remember, research should be fun, not feel like attending a lecture given by a ghost. With a little humor and this guide, you'll be a Chicago-style letter citation whiz in no time!
