So You Need to Cite a Book in Chicago Turabian. Buckle Up, Buttercup, It's Not Brain Surgery (But It Can Feel Like It)
Ah, Chicago Turabian. The name itself sounds like a fancy dance move your grandma might bust out after a glass of sherry. But fear not, fellow writer warrior! We've all been there, staring down a mountain of research and a citation style that looks more complex than a Rubik's Cube on acid.
First Things First: Author, Author!
Chicago Turabian wants to know who wrote the wisdom you're borrowing. List their first initial, then their last name. Easy enough, right? Unless you're dealing with a book with more authors than a royal wedding guest list. In that case, just list the first author's name followed by "et al." (Latin for "and others," because apparently showing off is a requirement for citation styles).
For Example:
- One Author: Stephen King, The Shining (New York: Viking, 1980).
- Two Authors: William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, The Elements of Style (New York: Longman, 2000).
- Three or More Authors: Stephen King, Joe Hill, and Owen King, Throttle (New York: Scribner, 2020). Here, you only list the first author's name followed by "et al."
Title Time: Don't Be That Guy Who Butchers the Book Name
This one's pretty straightforward. Write the entire title of the book, exactly as it appears. Italicize it if you're feeling fancy (though Chicago Turabian doesn't require it). But for the love of all that is holy, don't try to be cute and abbreviate it. You're not writing a text to your BFF.
Pro Tip: If the book has a subtitle, include it after a colon.
For Example:
- Stephen King, The Shining.
- The Elements of Style: A Practical Guide to Contemporary English Usage.
Location, Location, Location: Publisher Knows Where It's At
Tell the world where this literary gem came from! List the city where the publisher is located, followed by a colon, then the publisher's name.
For Example:
- Stephen King, The Shining (New York: Viking, 1980).
The Big Kahuna: Publication Date
Let your readers know how fresh (or old-school) this book is. Slap the year of publication at the end, separated from the publisher by a comma.
For Example:
- Stephen King, The Shining (New York: Viking, 1980).
And There You Have It! You've successfully wrangled a Chicago Turabian book citation. Now, go forth and conquer your research paper, my brave friend! Remember, if you get stuck, there's always the internet (and maybe a shot of caffeine). Just don't get too caught up in the weeds – sometimes, close enough is good enough. Unless, of course, your professor is a stickler for the rules. Then, Godspeed, my friend.
