You've Been Cited: How to Do the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the Chicago Way (Without Tears)
So, you've found yourself needing to cite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Maybe you're writing a paper on social justice, or perhaps you're just really into your footnotes (no judgement here). But here's the thing: Chicago style, the land of footnotes and endless periods, can be a bit daunting. Fear not, fellow footnote fanciers! This guide will have you citing the UDHR like a pro, with enough laughs to keep you going even during a late-night study session.
First Things First: The UDHR Isn't Exactly a Book (But Don't Panic)
Unlike the latest beach read, the UDHR isn't exactly a physical book you can hold in your hand. It's a foundational document by the United Nations. But that doesn't mean you can't cite it in Chicago style. Think of it as the ultimate online resource, the constitution of human decency if you will.
Here's the Nitty-Gritty (Chicago Style, Not Gritty by Name)
There are two main ways to cite the UDHR in Chicago style, depending on whether you're using footnotes (author-date style) or a bibliography (notes-bibliography style).
Footnote Fun: Citing in the Text
Here's how to make your footnotes sing the sweet song of Chicago:
- Author, Author, Who Wrote the UDHR? Technically, the UDHR doesn't have a single author, but we can credit the whole gang at the UN. So, in your footnote, you'll start with:
United Nations.
- Title Time! Next comes the title, with a little twist:
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
- Numbers Game: Since the UDHR isn't a book with page numbers, we use a special code to show where we found it. Here's the magic formula:
217 (III) A (This refers to a specific UN document number).
- Location, Location, Location: Tell everyone where this historic document was born:
Paris,
- Year of the Declaration: And finally, the year it all went down:
1948.
- Don't Forget the Web! We found it online, so include the website address (URL) and the date you accessed it:
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights, accessed May 5, 2024.
Here's the whole footnote put together for your viewing pleasure:
- United Nations, "Universal Declaration of Human Rights." 217 (III) A, Paris, 1948, https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights, accessed May 5, 2024.
Bonus Tip: If you're feeling fancy, you can add a little flourish at the end, like "See also the website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, https://www.ohchr.org/en/ohchr_homepage."
Bibliography Blues: The Big List at the End
For the bibliography folks, it's a similar story, but with a few tweaks:
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Author: United Nations.
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Year: (1948).
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Title: "Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
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Location: Paris.
Here's your final bibliography entry:
United Nations. (1948). "Universal Declaration of Human Rights." Paris.
Remember: Consistency is key! Make sure you use the same format throughout your paper.
You've Done It! You're a Chicago Style Citation Champion!
Now that you've mastered the art of citing the UDHR, you can impress your teachers, friends, and even that squirrel outside your window who seems awfully interested in your research (probably because it involves nuts... of justice!).
