Citing a Letter: A Painstakingly Fun Adventure in Chicago Style
So, you've got a letter. Maybe it's a love letter from your great-grandma to a dashing aviator, or perhaps a stern missive from your landlord about that questionable party you threw. Either way, you need to cite it in Chicago style. Joy.
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| How Do You Cite A Letter In Chicago Style |
The Basics: It's All About the Details
Let's break this down. In Chicago style, there are two main ways to cite something: footnotes or endnotes (fancy words for little numbers at the bottom of the page or at the end of your paper). For letters, footnotes or endnotes are usually the way to go.
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
Here's the general format for a letter citation:
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
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- Author’s last name, first name. “Letter title” (if any). Name of Collection (if applicable). Name of Archive/Depository. Box number and folder number.
Example:
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
- Smith, John. Letter to Jane Doe, March 12, 1950. Smith Family Papers. University Archives, Anytown State University. Box 3, Folder 2.
Special Cases: When Letters Get Complicated
- Letters in a Published Collection: If your letter is part of a published book, you can cite it like any other part of a book.
- Digital Letters: If you found your letter online, you'll need to include the URL and access date.
Tips and Tricks: Don't Stress About the Stationery
- Be consistent: Once you pick a citation style (footnotes or endnotes), stick with it.
- Be accurate: Double-check all the information you include in your citation.
- Be clear: Make sure your citations are easy to follow.
Remember: Citing a letter is like giving credit where credit is due. It shows you're a responsible researcher and that you're not trying to pass someone else's words off as your own. So, while it might seem tedious, it's actually a vital part of the academic process.
Tip: Pause, then continue with fresh focus.
How To...
- How to choose between footnotes and endnotes? It's up to you! Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page, while endnotes appear at the end of your paper.
- How to format the citation? Follow the general format outlined above, paying attention to punctuation and capitalization.
- How to handle multiple letters from the same author? Use abbreviations like "Letter 1," "Letter 2," etc. in subsequent citations.
- How to cite a letter with no author? Use the letter's title as the starting point of your citation.
- How to cite a letter you found online? Include the URL and access date in your citation.
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