You Found a Source with Two Authors? Chicago Doesn't Want Your Tears!
Let's face it, referencing can be a total drag. You finally find the perfect source to back up your claim, and then dread sets in because it has two authors. "Do I list them both? Do I use some weird codeword? Do I just pretend I never saw this source?" Fear not, brave writer! Chicago's two-author citation style is a breeze, and this guide will have you citing like a champ in no time.
In-Text Citations: Keeping it Smooth
Imagine you're having a conversation and want to reference something your two best friends told you. You'd probably say something like, "Yeah, Sarah and Michael were saying the same thing about that." Chicago in-text citations work the same way! Here's the format:
- (Smith & Jones, 2023) - Replace "Smith" and "Jones" with the last names of your authors.
- 2023 - This is the year the source was published. Easy peasy!
For Example: "A recent study by Smith & Jones (2023) found that procrastination can actually be beneficial in small doses."
Bonus Tip: If you're referencing a specific page number, add it after the year like this: (Smith & Jones, 2023, 12).
Footnotes and Bibliography: The Big Reveal
Now, footnotes and the bibliography are where things get a little fancy. But worry not, it's still pretty simple!
Footnotes: These are like tiny backstage passes for your sources. They appear at the bottom of the page with a superscript number. Here's the format:
- 1. Smith, Sarah, and Michael Jones. Title of Your Source. City: Publisher, Year.
For Example:
"1. Smith, Sarah, and Michael Jones. The Upside of Procrastination: How Putting Things Off Can Spark Creativity. New York: procrastination press, 2023."
Bibliography: This is your big thank you list at the end of your paper, where you give all your sources the credit they deserve. Here's the format:
- Smith, Sarah, and Michael Jones. Title of Your Source. City: Publisher, Year.
Looking familiar? It should! The bibliography format is almost identical to the footnote format.
That's It! You've Conquered Two-Author Chicago!
Now you can go forth and conquer your referencing woes. Remember, Chicago wants you to succeed, not cry into your keyboard. So, get out there and write something amazing, and don't let a little two-author citation hold you back!
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