So You Wanna Cite Like a Windy City Wise Guy: How to Nail Chicago-Style TV Show Citations (and Impress Everyone Except Your Cat)
Let's face it, citations can be a drag. They're about as exciting as watching paint dry (unless you're into that kind of thing, no judgment). But fear not, fellow pop culture enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the wild world of Chicago-style TV show citations, and by the end of this, you'll be dropping citations like Al Pacino drops F-bombs (well, maybe not that many F-bombs).
First Up: In-Text Citations (Those Sneaky Little Parentheses)
Imagine you're writing a paper about the genius that is Breaking Bad. You want to credit that epic scene where Walter White says, "I am the one who knocks!" (chills, anyone?). Here's how to do it Chicago-style, in those nifty parentheses:
-
For a specific episode: (Breaking Bad, season 4, episode 6, "Felina")
- See? We slip in the show title, season number, episode number, and episode title – all within the parentheses.
-
For the whole show (cause, hey, it's all good): (Breaking Bad)
- Nice and simple, this one just mentions the show's name.
Bonus Tip: If you're referencing something super specific, like a character's witty remark, you can add a page number after the episode info. For example: (Breaking Bad, season 4, episode 6, "Felina," 54).
Now Let's Talk Bibliography (The Big Kahuna of Citations)
This is where things get fancy, like a Chicago deep dish with extra cheese. Here's the format:
- Author, First Name. Title of Show. Season #, Episode #, "Episode Title." Aired Month Day, Year.
For example:
- Gilligan, Vince. Breaking Bad. Season 4, Episode 6, "Felina." Aired September 30, 2013.
Extra Credit: You can also include the director, writer, or actors if you're feeling spicy.
Streaming Services? We Got You Covered
Binge-watching that new show on Netflix and need to cite it? No sweat! Just add the URL to the end of your bibliography entry.
For example:
- Morgan, Peter. The Crown. Season 1, Episode 1, "Wolfram & Co." Aired November 4, 2016. https://www.netflix.com/
Remember, There's No Crying in Citation Land
Chicago style might seem complex at first, but with a little practice, you'll be a citation champion. Just think, soon you'll be dropping knowledge about your favorite shows and leaving everyone around you speechless (or at least mildly impressed). And hey, if your cat still isn't impressed, maybe offer them some tuna – that usually works.
