Citing Your Way to Academic Glory: A Chicago Style Guide (Sort Of)
So, you've finally finished your groundbreaking research on the mating habits of the common housefly. Congratulations! Now comes the daunting task of citing your sources. Fear not, intrepid scholar, for we shall embark on a journey through the labyrinth of Chicago style citation.
The Basics: It's All About the Footnotes
Let's start with the basics. Chicago style, unlike its more rigid cousins, is a bit more laid back. It's like the cool older sibling of citation styles. The key player here is the footnote. Think of it as your trusty sidekick, providing essential information about your sources without interrupting the flow of your brilliant prose.
To cite a journal article in a footnote, you'll need to include the following information:
- Author's name (last name first)
- Article title (in quotation marks)
- Journal title (italicized)
- Volume number
- Issue number (if applicable)
- Publication date
- Page numbers
- DOI or URL (if available)
For example:
- John Doe, "The Curious Case of the Disappearing Sock," Journal of Laundry Mysteries 42, no. 3 (Spring 2023): 17-25, [invalid URL removed].
The Bibliography: Your Sources' Hall of Fame
Once you've wowed your readers with your insightful footnotes, it's time to give credit where credit is due. Enter the bibliography. This is essentially your sources' hall of fame, a place to list all the works you've cited in full glory.
The format for a journal article in the bibliography is similar to the footnote, but without the footnote number. For example:
Doe, John. "The Curious Case of the Disappearing Sock." Journal of Laundry Mysteries 42, no. 3 (Spring 2023): 17-25. [invalid URL removed].
Tips and Tricks for Citation Success
- Consistency is key. Once you've chosen a style (footnotes or author-date), stick with it.
- Double-check your information. Nothing looks worse than a citation error.
- Use a citation manager. These tools can save you countless hours of formatting.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your librarian is your friend.
How To Questions
How to format a Chicago style footnote?
- Author, "Article Title," Journal Title Volume, Issue (Date): Page(s), DOI or URL.
How to create a Chicago style bibliography?
- Author, "Article Title." Journal Title Volume, Issue (Date): Page(s), DOI or URL.
How to find the DOI of a journal article?
- Look for the DOI on the article's webpage or in your library database.
How to cite a journal article with multiple authors?
- List all authors in the first citation, then use "et al." for subsequent citations.
How to cite an online journal article?
- Include the URL or DOI in your citation.