So You Found a Thing. Now How Do You Talk About It Like a Scholar? A Guide to Chicago-Style Object Citations (Because Apparently That's a Thing)
Let's face it, folks, the academic world can be a strange and wonderful place. You spend years dissecting the comma and mastering the art of the perfectly-worded footnote, then someone throws a random object into your research and expects you to cite it like it's Shakespeare's First Folio.
Well, fret no more, because this trusty guide is here to turn you from a bibliographic bumbler into a citation champion!
First Things First: What Exactly Are We Citing?
Because let's be real, umbrellas and ancient Egyptian sarcophagi probably require different citation approaches. Here's a breakdown of the "objects" you might encounter:
- Artworks: Paintings, sculptures, pottery – basically anything your history professor oohed and aahed over.
- Artifacts: Think historical objects – mummies (minus the curse, hopefully), tools, clothing – anything that whispers tales of the past.
- Archival Materials: Documents, letters, photographs – the dusty treasures that libraries keep under lock and key.
The Nitty-Gritty: How to Craft a Chicago-Style Object Citation
Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for (or maybe just skimmed to get here). Here's how to transform your object-related research into a citation that would make even the strictest Chicago Manual of Style editor proud:
In-Text Citations (Those Little Numbers That Follow You Around)
- Who Made It? (If You Know): Start with the creator's last name, followed by a comma and first name. For that mysterious mummy mask, this might be:
"Smith, John" - What's Its Name? (Or a Good Description): Pop in the title of the object in quotation marks. If it doesn't have a fancy name, use a descriptive phrase. So, our mummy mask becomes:
"Smith, John, ‘Gilded Mummy Mask’" - When Was It Made? (Do Your Best): Add the date of creation (if you can find it). If it's a mystery, use "n.d." (not dated). Our mask is looking more cited by the minute:
"Smith, John, ‘Gilded Mummy Mask,’ n.d." - Location, Location, Location! If you know where this object is chilling (literally, in the case of the mask), mention the museum or collection and its location. Think bragging rights for scholarly citations:
"Smith, John, ‘Gilded Mummy Mask,’ n.d., British Museum, London"
Bibliography Bonanza (The Big Picture of Scholarly Citations)
- Same Player, New Game: Follow the same basic format as the in-text citation, but with a few tweaks.
- Flip the Script: Put the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name. Our mummy mask friend gets a name change:
"Smith, John. ‘Gilded Mummy Mask,’ n.d. British Museum, London."
Bonus Tip: If you're feeling fancy, you can add additional information like the material the object is made of or its dimensions. Just remember, keep it relevant and avoid turning your bibliography into a novel.
You Did It! You Cited an Object!
Now, go forth and conquer the academic world, one perfectly cited object at a time. Remember, even the most obscure things deserve a proper shout-out, and with this guide, you've got the tools to do it right. So, the next time you find a random object in your research, don't panic – embrace the challenge and show Chicago who's boss!
