You and the EU Directive: A Hilarious Citation Hustle (Chicago Style, Obviously)
Ever felt like wrangling an octopus? That's what citing EU directives in Chicago style can feel like. Fear not, fellow writer warriors! This guide will unravel the bureaucratic beast and have you referencing those regulations like a pro (with a side of laughter).
First Things First: Breathe and Accept
Yes, EU directives have long, complicated names that would make Dr. Seuss dizzy. Embrace the weirdness. "Council Directive 2004/42/EC on the limitation of emissions from stages II vapour recovery systems for petrol from vehicles and vapour collection systems for refuelling vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas" - see, I told you. But hey, at least it's not a dissertation on the mating habits of the Patagonian mara (don't Google that, trust me).
Hunting Down the Essentials
Now, let's play detective. You'll need the directive's name, year of publication, and the magic code that unlocks its secret lair - the Official Journal (OJ) reference. Think of the OJ as the EU's rulebook, with cryptic acronyms and all. You can usually find this info on the directive itself, or by scouring the internet's legal jungle.
Pro Tip: If you get lost, don't be afraid to ask your friendly neighborhood librarian for help. They've seen it all, from indecipherable chicken scratch to ancient Babylonian cuneiform (okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea).
Footnote Fun: Notes from the Bureaucracy Basement
Chicago style offers two ways to play this citation game: footnotes or a bibliography. Footnotes are like those pesky pop-up ads, appearing at the bottom of the page. Bibliographies are the neater option, a list of sources at the end of your work.
Here's the footnote fiesta format:
# Council Directive 2004/42/EC on the limitation of emissions from stages II vapour recovery systems for petrol from vehicles and vapour collection systems for refuelling vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas, OJ L143, 30.4.2004, pp. 81–88.
See? Not so scary, right? Just remember to replace the bracketed info with your specific directive's details.
For the bibliography bash, this is your jam:
Council Directive 2004/42/EC on the limitation of emissions from stages II vapour recovery systems for petrol from vehicles and vapour collection systems for refuelling vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas. Official Journal of the European Union L143 (2004): 81–88.
Remember: Bold the title of the directive, and italicize the publication title (the Official Journal in this case).
You've Got This!
And there you have it! You've conquered the EU directive citation challenge. Now, go forth and spread your newfound knowledge, leaving a trail of laughter and correctly formatted references in your wake. Remember, research should be fun, even if it involves navigating the labyrinthine world of EU bureaucracy.
Bonus Tip: If all else fails, just channel your inner Monty Python and write a comedic skit about the absurdity of it all. Laughter is the best medicine, even for citation woes.
