So You Need to Cite a Dissertation in Chicago Style? Don't Freak Out, It's Not Brain Surgery (Although Dissertations Might Be)
Let's face it, dissertations are the Mount Everest of academic writing. They're massive, intimidating, and take years to climb... I mean, write. But hey, guess what? You braved the elements, reached the summit (or at least got to base camp), and now you need to reference that beast in your own work. Here's where things can get a little tricky, especially if you're using Chicago style, which can be as complex as deciphering ancient hieroglyphics (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration).
But fear not, intrepid scholar! Purdue OWL, the internet's patron saint of citation wrangling, is here to hold your hand and guide you through the Chicago dissertation citation jungle.
Unveiling the Mystery: The Two Faces of Chicago
First things first, Chicago style comes in two flavors: author-date and notes-bibliography.
- Author-date is your sleek, modern option, perfect for social sciences. Think of it as the citation style equivalent of a trendy coffee shop with minimalist decor.
- Notes-bibliography is the more traditional choice, favored by humanities and arts. It's like a cozy bookstore with overflowing shelves and that wonderful old-book smell.
Which one should you use? Well, that depends on your field and your instructor's preference. But fret not, the basic principles for citing dissertations in Chicago style remain pretty much the same for both.
Demystifying the Dissertation Citation: Breaking it Down
Here's the lowdown on what you'll need to include in your Chicago dissertation citation, regardless of the style you choose:
- Author Name(s): This one's a no-brainer. Give credit where credit is due.
- Title: The full title of the dissertation, including subtitles (put it in quotation marks, but hold the italics).
- Dissertation Type: Yep, you gotta tell everyone it's a dissertation, not a grocery list.
- University: Where the dissertation was submitted (think of it as the mountain range where Everest resides).
- Year: When the dissertation saw the light of day (because knowledge shouldn't stay buried forever).
For the author-date system, you'll also need the page number(s) you're referencing in your work. This helps your reader pinpoint the exact location of that juicy academic nugget you found.
For the notes-bibliography system, you'll create a separate bibliography entry with all the info above. This is like your personal library catalog, keeping track of all the dissertations you've encountered on your research journey.
Putting it All Together: Examples to the Rescue!
Now that you know the drill, let's see how it looks in action:
Author-date example: (Smith, 2023, 123)
Notes-bibliography example:
Smith, Jane Doe. 2023. "The History of the Pet Rock: A Sociological Exploration." Ph.D. diss., University of California, Los Angeles.
Bonus Tip: Feeling fancy? If the dissertation is available online, you can include the URL or DOI in your bibliography entry. Just think of it as the digital map to the dissertation's online location.
Remember:
- Double-check your information. Typos are the gremlins of citations, wreaking havoc on your credibility.
- Consult Purdue OWL for more in-depth guidance. They have a treasure trove of information on Chicago style and everything else citation-related.
- Don't be afraid to ask your instructor for help. They're there to guide you through the academic jungle, dissertation citations included.
So, there you have it! With a little help from Purdue OWL and this handy guide, citing dissertations in Chicago style won't feel like scaling Mount Everest anymore. Now go forth, conquer those citations, and keep up the good academic work!
