Cracking the Code: How to Cite Those Elusive FBI Documents (and Impress Your Professor...Maybe)
So, you've braved the labyrinthine world of the FBI Vault, unearthed a treasure trove of documents on that Chicago Capone caper you're researching, and now you're staring down a citation style guide thicker than a bulletproof vest. Fear not, intrepid scholar! This guide will have you wielding Chicago Manual of Style like a seasoned G-man in no time.
First Things First: Friend or Foe? Published vs. Unpublished
Not all FBI documents are created equal, citation-wise. Published FBI goodies (think reports they sell to the public) get the standard government document treatment. You know, author (FBI, that is), title, publisher (usually the government printing office), and year. Piece of cake.
But those juicy, unpublished vault documents? Those are the real gangsters of the citation world.
Deep Undercover: Citing Unpublished Vault Documents
Here's where things get interesting. We're talking code names, redacted lines, and information so secret it could make J. Edgar Hoover blush.
For unpublished documents, you'll need the following:
- The Name of Your Contact (Don't worry, it's not Agent Mulder): This is the FBI department or bureau that released the document.
- A Codename Worthy of Jason Bourne: Slap that document title in quotation marks, just like you're whispering classified information.
- The Date They Said You Could See It (They Might Be Watching): Include the date you accessed the document.
Here's an example to channel your inner Scully:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), "Chicago Outfit Activity Report," January 17, 1928, accessed April 3, 2024, https://vault.fbi.gov/.
Pro Tip: If the document has a file number, you can add that after the title for extra credit. Just think, your professor will be so impressed they might even offer you a fedora (optional, but highly encouraged).
Still Foggy? Don't Panic!
Remember, even seasoned librarians wrestle with citation styles sometimes. Don't be afraid to consult your campus library or a friendly online citation generator.
Just don't get caught asking the janitor for help. You never know who might be working undercover (although, they probably have excellent citation skills).
So, with this guide in your arsenal, you're ready to tackle those FBI documents and emerge victorious (and properly cited) from the academic battlefield. Now go forth and write a paper so good, even Hoover would be impressed (though probably with a healthy dose of suspicion).
