So You Wanna Cite Like a Pope? A (Slightly Irreverent) Guide to Chicago Style and Vatican II
Ah, research papers. The bane of every student's existence. But fear not, history buffs and theology enthusiasts! You've scaled the treacherous peak of Mount Research, and now you stand before the vast Vatican Library of knowledge. But wait... how do you get those papal pronouncements from Vatican II into your paper without looking like a citation heretic? Enter Chicago style, your trusty steed in this academic joust.
First Things First: The All-Important Footnote
Chicago loves its footnotes. Think of them as little whispers to your reader, dropping knowledge bombs without disrupting the flow of your text. Here's how to craft the perfect footnote for a Vatican II document:
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The Big Kahuna: Start with Second Vatican Council, followed by a comma and quotation marks (", "). Then, write the full title of the document, italicized (think fancy pants for words). Don't forget the comma after the title.
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Date Night with the Pope: Pop in a comma, then the date the document was promulgated (like a papal decree, but way cooler).
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Location, Location, Location: We're not just referencing fancy restaurants here. Add "in" followed by the title of a compilation (if you're using one), edited by Whoever-Edited-It, all with commas sprinkled in for good measure. City, state abbreviation (if applicable), colon, publisher, and year published come next.
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Paragraph Party: And finally, the magic number! Chicago uses paragraph numbers instead of page numbers for Vatican II documents. Pop a comma after the abbreviation "sec." (section) and include the relevant paragraph number.
Here's an example to make your medieval brain rejoice:
1. Second Vatican Council, "Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World," December 7, 1965, in The Documents of Vatican II, edited by Walter Abbott, SJ (New York: America Press, 1966), sec. 1.
Bonus Tip: If you're feeling fancy, you can abbreviate the council's name to "Vatican II" after the first full citation. Just add "(hereafter cited as GS)" after the paragraph number to show everyone you're a pro.
Heading Off Heresy: A Few Pointers to Remember
- No Author, No Problem: Vatican II documents aren't written by a single person, so you don't need to list an author.
- Double-Check Those Dates: Popes are busy guys, so make sure you have the correct promulgation date for your chosen document.
- Online vs. Print: The basic format stays the same, but for online sources you'll need the URL instead of publisher information.
Hallelujah! You've Cited Like a Saint
Now, go forth and spread the knowledge (and proper citations) of Vatican II! Remember, with a little Chicago style know-how, you'll be navigating the scholarly world like a papal pro in no time. Just don't wear your pajamas to defend your thesis – even the most impressive citations can't save questionable fashion choices.