Chicago, Chicago: Citing Your Favorite Shows with Windy City Flair
Ah, Chicago. City of broad shoulders, deep dish pizza, and...confusing citation styles? If you're writing a paper and need to mention that hilarious episode of "Chicago Fire" where Mouch got his head stuck in a child's toy (don't judge, it was a classic), but you're drowning in a sea of commas and quotation marks, fear not! This guide will have you navigating the murky waters of Chicago citation like a seasoned detective with a killer quip.
The Nitty Gritty: Notes and Bibliography Blues
Chicago style comes in two flavors: notes-bibliography and author-date. We'll tackle the first one today, because hey, who doesn't love a good bibliography?
- In the Notes: This is where you play "spot the TV show" in your paper. Here's the format:
. Title of Show, Season #, Episode #, "Episode Title," directed by First Name Last Name (if relevant), aired Month Day, Year, on Network.
For example, if you're referencing the Mouch incident:
- Chicago Fire, Season 3, Episode 12, "Favoritism," directed by Joe Chappelle, aired February 10, 2016, on NBC.
- The Bibliography: This is where you give the show some proper credit at the end of your paper. Here's what it looks like:
Title of Show. Year. "Episode Title." Website Name video, Duration of Video, Broadcast Date, URL (if applicable).
So, for our firefighting friend:
Chicago Fire. 2016. "Favoritism." NBC video, 42 minutes, February 10. https://www.nbc.com/chicago-fire
Bonus Tip: If you watched it on a streaming service like Netflix, just swap out the "Website Name video" part for "URL." Easy peasy!
Beyond the Basics: Spice Up Your Citations
Now, you might be thinking, "This is all well and good, but where's the Chicago flair?" Well, my friend, that's where you come in. Here's how to add a touch of the Windy City to your citations:
- Use colorful (but academic!) language: Instead of "directed by," try "brought to you by the visionary mind of..."
- Throw in a pop culture reference: For the Mouch episode citation, you could add "(The one where Mouch becomes a human Pez dispenser)" after the episode title.
- Channel your inner detective: Imagine you're cracking a case while writing your bibliography. "Chicago Fire. 2016. 'Favoritism.' Case closed."
Remember: A little creativity goes a long way, but keep it professional!
By following these tips, you'll be citing your favorite Chicago shows like a champ, and maybe even crack a smile while you're at it. Now, go forth and write, with the confidence of a firefighter facing a five-alarm blaze (or, you know, a challenging research paper).
