Ibid: The Latin Word That's Losing Its Cool
So, you're writing a paper, you're knee-deep in footnotes, and you're staring blankly at the word "ibid." Are you supposed to use it in Chicago style? Let's dive into this academic abyss together.
Ibid: The Old Guard of Citations
Once upon a time, in a land of typewriters and carbon paper (yes, kids, it was a thing), "ibid." was the citation MVP. It meant "in the same place," and it was a lazy writer's best friend. You'd use it when you cited the same source twice in a row, saving you precious typing time.
Chicago Style: The Rebel Without a Cause
But then came Chicago style, the rebellious teenager of citation styles. It looked at "ibid." and said, "Nah, we're cool." The 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style officially discouraged its use. Gasp!
Why the sudden hate for "ibid"?
Well, imagine you're reading a paper with tons of footnotes. You see "ibid" and think, "Great, I don't have to flip back and forth." But then you realize you're on page 10 of "ibid" citations, and you're starting to lose track. It's like trying to follow a thread through a tangled ball of yarn.
The Modern Way: Shortened Citations
Chicago style prefers a more reader-friendly approach: shortened citations. You still save time, but you give the reader a little more info to work with. Something like this:
- First footnote: Full citation
- Second footnote: Author's last name, shortened title, page number
- Third footnote: Author's last name, page number
It's like summarizing a really long joke: you get the gist without retelling the whole thing.
So, Should You Use Ibid?
Technically, no. But if you're writing for a professor who's still stuck in the 16th century, go ahead and use it. Just be prepared for a side-eye.
In conclusion, "ibid" is like those old-school jeans that your dad still wears: comfortable, but a bit outdated. Shortened citations are the skinny jeans of the citation world: modern, stylish, and practical.
How to...
- How to use shortened citations: List the full citation in the first footnote, then use the author's last name, shortened title, and page number for subsequent citations.
- How to avoid citation overload: Break up your text with headings and subheadings to make it easier to follow.
- How to impress your professor: Use consistent formatting and accurate citation information.
- How to save time: Use citation management software like Zotero or EndNote.
- How to survive grad school: Learn to love footnotes. Or at least tolerate them.