You Found a Book with More Lives Than a Cat? How to Cite a Volume in Chicago Without Crying
Ah, the joys of research. You've unearthed a magnificent tome, a fount of knowledge, but it dawns on you – it's a multi-volume beast! Fear not, intrepid scholar, for this guide will equip you to slay the citation dragon (or at least keep it from setting your references on fire).
First things first: Are you citing a whole volume or just a part of it?
- The Full Monty (Citing a Whole Volume): Easy there, cowboy! If you're referencing the entire volume, it's a breeze. Just follow this format:
Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Multivolume Work. Vol. Volume Number (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year).
For example:
McGonagall, Minerva. A History of Hogwarts. Vol. 2, Chamber of Secrets Secrets. London: Ministry of Magic Press, 1992.
But Professor, What If I Only Need a Smidge (Citing a Chapter or Section):
Glad you asked! Here's the secret sauce:
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Chapter or Section," in Title of Multivolume Work, ed. Editor's Name (if applicable), nth ed., vol. Volume Number (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page numbers.
See? Not so scary after all. Here's an example to tickle your funny bone:
Weasley, Fred and George. "1,000 Uses for a Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder (Including Some We Probably Shouldn't Mention)," in Hogwarts: A History of Mischief and Mayhem, ed. Peeves the Poltergeist (unofficial, obviously), vol. 1 (The Burrow,陋屋 [lòu wū]: Weasley Family Archives, 1998), 23-47.
Bonus Tip: Don't Be a Muggle When It Comes to Formatting
- In-text citations (footnotes or parenthetical): Use the author's last name, volume number, and page number.
(McGonagall, Vol. 2, 12)
- Bibliography: List all the volumes you consulted, not just the one you cited in-text.
Remember, with a little Chicago magic, those pesky multi-volume citations will be a walk in Diagon Alley. Now, go forth and conquer your research paper! And if you get stuck, don't hesitate to owl your friendly neighborhood librarian for help. They're basically citation whisperers.
