Citing a JSTOR Article: A Painless Guide (Hopefully)
So, you've finally finished that groundbreaking paper on the mating habits of the lesser-spotted platypus. Congratulations! Now comes the fun part: citing your sources. And if you're like most people, the words "Chicago style" and "JSTOR" send shivers down your spine. Fear not, intrepid researcher! We're here to guide you through this treacherous territory.
Understanding the Beast: Chicago Style
Let's talk about Chicago style. It's like the fashion of citations: there are rules, but there's also room for interpretation. Unlike Milan, though, Chicago style doesn't change every season. It's more like a classic little black dress: elegant, timeless, and a bit intimidating.
Taming the JSTOR Jungle
JSTOR is a digital library filled with scholarly articles. It's like a treasure trove for academics, but finding your way around can be a jungle. Don't worry, we'll be your Indiana Jones.
The Holy Grail of Citation: The DOI
If your JSTOR article has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), consider yourself lucky. It's like a golden ticket to citation wonderland. All you need to do is copy and paste that bad boy into your citation manager or directly into your paper.
When There's No DOI: The Quest for Information
If you're DOI-less, fear not. You'll need to gather some information:
- Author's name: The person who wrote the article. Not the editor, not the reviewer, but the actual writer.
- Article title: The catchy phrase that lured you in.
- Journal title: The fancy name of the publication.
- Volume and issue number: Like a magazine, but for smart people.
- Page numbers: Where the article starts and ends.
Putting It All Together: The Citation Formula
Here's a basic Chicago style citation for a JSTOR article:
Author, "Article Title," Journal Title volume, no. issue (date): page range. DOI or URL.
Example:
Smith, John. "Platypuses: The Unsung Heroes of the Animal Kingdom," Journal of Odd Creatures 42, no. 3 (Summer 2023): 17-32. doi:10.12345/platypus.
Note: If you don't have a DOI, you can include the URL instead. But remember, Chicago style generally prefers DOIs.
Footnotes or Bibliography? Choose Your Weapon
Chicago style offers two main citation formats: footnotes and bibliography. Footnotes are like little sidekicks that appear at the bottom of the page, while the bibliography is a fancy list of all your sources at the end. Pick your poison!
The Fine Print: Additional Tips
- Hanging Indents: Make your bibliography look neat and tidy with hanging indents. It's like giving your citations a little personal space.
- Consistency is Key: Once you've chosen a format (footnotes or bibliography), stick with it. Don't mix and match like a crazy fashionista.
- Double Check: Mistakes happen, even to the best of us. Proofread your citations carefully. A tiny error can make a big difference.
How-to FAQs
How to find the DOI of a JSTOR article?
- Look for the DOI information on the article page. It's usually near the top or bottom.
How to format a Chicago style footnote?
- Place a superscript number at the end of the sentence you want to cite. Create a corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page with the full citation.
How to create a Chicago style bibliography?
- List all your sources alphabetically by author at the end of your paper. Use hanging indents for a neat appearance.
How to cite a JSTOR article with multiple authors?
- List all authors in the citation, separated by commas. For three or more authors, use "et al." after the first author's name.
How to cite a JSTOR article accessed through a library database?
- Include the database name in your citation if required by your style guide.
Remember, while citations might seem like a bureaucratic nightmare, they're actually a sign of academic rigor. So embrace the process, and let your research shine!