Ibid: The Latin Word Your Citations Love (or Love to Hate)
What’s in a Name?
So, you’re knee-deep in a research paper, and you’ve just cited a brilliant source. You’re feeling pretty smug about yourself, until you realize you need to cite it again, like, five lines later. Cue existential crisis. Fear not, young scholar! This is where our Latin friend, ibid, comes in. It’s short for ibidem, which basically means “in the same place.” It’s like telling your reader, "Hey, I know I just mentioned this book/article/website. It’s the same one."
Ibid: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Now, ibid used to be the go-to for lazy citation enthusiasts. But times have changed. The 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, the style guide that basically rules the academic world, has officially discouraged the use of ibid. Gasp! It’s like finding out your favorite celebrity is actually a lizard person. But don’t panic. It’s not banned, just frowned upon.
So, what’s the big deal? Well, using ibid can sometimes make your footnotes look like a cryptic code. Plus, there’s a chance your reader might forget what the heck you’re talking about if you use it too much. It’s like playing a game of academic chicken with your audience.
The Ibid Alternative: Shortened Citations
The preferred method now is to use shortened citations. It’s like giving your source a nickname, but in a really academic way. So instead of ibid, you’d write something like "Author’s Last Name, Book Title, page number." It’s a bit more work, but it’s worth it for the clarity.
Remember: If you’re using a really old edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (like, pre-17th edition), ibid is still fair game. But if you’re writing a paper for a class or publication that follows the 17th edition, it’s best to stick to the shortened citation method.
How to Ibid (or Not)
How to use ibid:
- If you're using an older edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, use ibid to refer to the immediately preceding source.
- If you're citing the same source again but with a different page number, use ibid. followed by the new page number.
How to use shortened citations:
- Use the author's last name, a shortened title, and the page number.
- For subsequent citations of the same source, you can omit the title.
How to avoid citation chaos:
- Use a citation management software to keep track of your sources.
- Double-check your citations before submitting your paper.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your professor or a librarian for help.
So there you have it. Ibid might be a relic of the past, but understanding it can help you navigate the world of academic citations. Happy citing!
