Citing Images: A Chicago Style Guide (or, How to Avoid Image-Related Footnotes)
So, you've found the perfect image to illustrate your groundbreaking research paper. But how do you give credit where credit is due? Enter Chicago style, the formatting knight in shining armor (or at least, the formatting knight your professor seems to prefer). Let's dive in, shall we?
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| How Do You Cite An Image In Chicago Style |
Basic Structure
Think of your image citation like a tiny biography for your picture. Here's the general blueprint:
- Creator Information: Last name, First name.
- Image Title: In italics.
- Date of Creation: If known.
- Medium: Painting, photograph, sculpture, etc.
- Source: Where you found the image (book, website, museum, etc.).
Where to Put the Citation
It's not just about the what, but also the where. You've got two main options:
- Footnotes: A classic move. Place a superscript number next to the image and then provide the full citation at the bottom of the page.
- Bibliography: This is where your image gets a spot on the guest list. List the citation at the end of your paper, with the author's last name first.
Image Citation Examples
Let's bring this theory to life with a couple of examples:
QuickTip: Skim first, then reread for depth.
Example 1: Image from a Book
Footnote:
- Van Gogh, Vincent. Starry Night. 1889. Oil on canvas. Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Bibliography:
Tip: Review key points when done.
Van Gogh, Vincent. Starry Night. 1889. Oil on canvas. Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Example 2: Image from a Website
Footnote:
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
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- NASA. Earthrise. 1968. Photograph. NASA Image and Video Library. [invalid URL removed]
Bibliography:
NASA. Earthrise. 1968. Photograph. NASA Image and Video Library. [invalid URL removed]
Special Cases and Considerations
- Images without Creators: If you can't find the creator, you can start with the title instead.
- Online Images: Always include the URL.
- Multiple Authors: List all authors, separated by commas.
- Check with Your Professor: Every professor has their own quirks, so double-check their specific requirements.
And there you have it! With these tips, you'll be citing images like a Chicago style pro.
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
FAQ: Chicago Style Image Citation
How to cite an image without a creator? If you can't find the creator, start with the title of the image. For example, Statue of Liberty (Year).
How to cite an image from a website? Include the website URL in your citation. For example, Author (if available), Image Title (Year), Website Name, URL.
How to cite an image from a social media platform? Treat it like a website citation, including the platform name and URL.
How to cite a scanned image? Consider it as an image from a book or document and cite accordingly.
How to cite an image from a database? Include the database name and any relevant access information in your citation.
Remember, citing images is essential for academic integrity. By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of image citation. Happy citing!
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