The Great Ibid Caper: Is it an In or Out in Chicago Style?
Ah, the trusty ibid. It's been a footnote footnote for generations, a shorthand hero for "same source, different page." But in the ever-evolving world of citation styles, is ibid still welcome in the windy city's favorite guide, Chicago Manual of Style? Buckle up, footnote fanatics, because we're about to dive into this thrilling saga.
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| Is Ibid Allowed In Chicago |
Farewell, My Latin Friend: The Demise of Ibid (circa 17th edition)
Did ibid get caught jaywalking across Michigan Avenue? Was it spotted munching on a deep dish pizza without a fork? The truth is a little less dramatic. The Chicago Manual of Style, in its 17th edition, politely nudged ibid towards the door. The reasoning? While ibid might save a few keystrokes, it can leave readers a tad confused. Imagine this scenario: you're reading a research paper that throws out an "ibid." Frantically, you flip back through footnotes, desperately searching for the source's previous hiding place. Not exactly a smooth reading experience, is it?
Enter the Shortened Citation: A New Hero Emerges
So, if ibid is out, what's the in-crowd using these days? The answer is the shortened citation. This valiant knight includes the author's last name, a comma, a shortened title (usually the first few words), and the new page number. For example, if your first footnote cited Smith's "Social Media Shenanigans," page 12, the next time you reference that same source on a different page, you'd use: Smith, "Social Media Shenanigans," 14.
Here's the beauty of the shortened citation: it provides just enough info to jog your reader's memory without the confusion of ibid.
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
But Wait! There's More! (For Those Stuck in the 16th Edition)**
If you're wrestling with a research paper dictated by the 16th edition, fear not! Ibid is still your knight in slightly-less-shining armor. But remember, the 17th edition is the current king, so if you have a choice, shortened citations are the way to go.
Ibid or Not Ibid: Frequently Asked Questions
How to use a shortened citation?
Easy! Author's last name, comma, shortened title (first few words), comma, new page number.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
How many times can I use a shortened citation?
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As long as you're referencing the same source in consecutive footnotes, you can keep using the shortened citation.
What if I need to reference a different source after using a shortened citation?
Tip: Take a sip of water, then continue fresh.
No problem! Just write out the full citation for the new source.
But I love ibid! Can I sneak it in somewhere?
While tempting, it's best to stick with shortened citations. They're clearer for your readers and show you're up-to-date on citation styles.
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
Is Chicago deep dish pizza the best kind of pizza?
This one requires further research and taste testing. We recommend consulting a panel of experts (your stomach included).
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