Chicago Style: Author MIA? Don't Fret, Citation CSI Here!
You've unearthed a goldmine of information for your research paper. It perfectly backs up your thesis, but there's one itsy-bitsy problem... No author is listed!
Don't let this nameless source vanish into the academic abyss! Fear not, intrepid researcher, for Citation CSI is on the case. We'll crack the code of Chicago style, even when the author's gone rogue.
Case File #1: The Elusive Website
Ah, the wild west of the internet. Websites can be treasure troves of knowledge, but sometimes author attribution gets lost in the digital shuffle.
Here's the plan:
- Full Footnote: Channel your inner detective and start with the title of the webpage in quotation marks. Include the name of the website (the publisher in this case) and the ever-important access date (because the internet is a living, breathing beast).
For example: "The History of the Spork," Utensil Museum, accessed April 30, 2024.
- Short Note & Bibliography: Treat the website itself as the author. List the website name followed by a period, then the title of the webpage in quotation marks, and finally the access date.
For example: Utensil Museum. "The History of the Spork." Accessed April 30, 2024.
Case File #2: The Enigmatic Book
Printed materials can be just as mysterious, with authors vanishing without a trace. But fret not, follow these steps and your citation will be a masterpiece:
- Full Footnote & Bibliography: Here, the title of the book takes center stage. Include any edition information, then the publisher's location and name, and finally the publication year (if available).
For example: The Complete Guide to Mime (3rd ed.), New York: Mime Press, 1987.
Pro Tip: If you can find any clues about the author's identity lurking in the preface or acknowledgements, seize them!
Case File #3: The Anonymous Article
Newspapers and magazines can be breeding grounds for anonymous sources. But don't despair, here's how to handle them:
- Full Footnote & Bibliography: Similar to websites, use the article title in quotation marks, followed by the publication title (newspaper or magazine name) in italics, the publication date, and the page numbers (if available).
For example: "Bigfoot Spotted in Local Woods," The Pine Valley Gazette, April 15, 2024, 1.
Remember: Consistency is key! Once you establish your method for citing authorless sources, stick to it throughout your paper.
So there you have it, my fellow researchers! With these tips, you'll be a Chicago style master, even when faced with authorial anonymity. Now, go forth and conquer your citations!
