Citing a Website: The Authorless Abyss
So, you've stumbled upon this glorious piece of information, a website, and you're tasked with citing it in Chicago style. But wait, there's a catch! There's no author! Fear not, intrepid researcher, for I shall guide you through this labyrinth of citation woes.
The Authorless Dilemma
It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but instead of a needle, it's an author, and instead of a haystack, it's a vast digital ocean. Don't panic! We've all been there. When faced with an authorless website, the first instinct is often to throw up your hands and declare, "I surrender to the citation gods!" But fear not, there's a method to this madness.
How to Handle the Authorless
In the grand scheme of Chicago style citations, websites without authors are a special breed. Instead of starting with the elusive author, you begin with the title of the page or article. Yes, you read that right. The title takes center stage.
Full Note Format:
- Title of Page or Document. Title of Website. Name of Owner or Sponsor of the Website [if different from Title of Website], Date of copyright or modification or access, URL.
Example:
- "The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bears." World Wildlife Fund. Accessed April 3, 2024.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/climate-change
Short Note Format:
- Title of Page or Document. Title of Website. Date of copyright or modification or access, URL.
Example:
- "The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bears." World Wildlife Fund. Accessed April 3, 2024.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/climate-change
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Date Dilemma: If you can't find a specific date, use "Accessed [date]" instead.
- Website Name: If the website name is the same as the owner or sponsor, you can omit it in the short note format.
- URL Woes: Keep those URLs tidy. No need for the entire, unwieldy address. Just the essentials.
And there you have it! Citing a website without an author might seem like a daunting task, but with a little know-how, you can conquer this citation challenge.
How-To FAQs
- How to find the title of a webpage? Look for the main heading or subheading at the top of the page.
- How to determine the date of a webpage? Check the footer or the "about" section for a last updated date.
- How to format the URL? Keep it simple, no need for fancy formatting. Just include the basic address.
- How to handle multiple authors? If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the website.
- How to cite a website with no title? If there's no clear title, use a descriptive title based on the content.
