Quoting Like a Boss: A Chicago Style Guide
So, you wanna quote someone? Good for you! Quoting can be a powerful tool. It’s like saying, “Hey, this smart person said something smart, and I'm gonna piggyback on their brilliance.” But let’s be real, quoting can also be a minefield of footnotes and endnotes. That's where Chicago Style comes in. It's like the grammar guru of the academic world, but don't let that scare you. It's actually pretty chill once you get the hang of it.
Short Quotes: Keep it Simple
For short quotes (four lines or less), just slap those quotation marks around the quote and throw in a little footnote or endnote. It's like adding a cherry on top of a sundae. For example:
According to the great philosopher, Socrates, "The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates, Republic, 382a)
See? Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Long Quotes: Indent and Relax
If your quote is longer than four lines, it's time to give it some space. Indent the whole quote and single-space it. No quotation marks needed here. It's like giving your quote a VIP treatment. For instance:
The unexamined life is not worth living. For in it, a man cannot discover who he is or what he is capable of becoming. It is only through reflection and contemplation that we can begin to understand ourselves and our place in the world. (Socrates, Republic, 382a)
Notice the chill vibe of the indented quote? It's like saying, "Take your time, reader. This quote is important."
Footnotes or Endnotes: Choose Your Weapon
Now, about those footnotes and endnotes. Footnotes are at the bottom of the page, while endnotes are at the end of the document. It's like choosing between a side dish and dessert. Both are delicious, but it's a matter of personal preference.
Important: Consistency is key! Don't mix and match footnotes and endnotes. Pick one and stick with it.
Punctuation: Don't Panic
Where to put the period? Inside or outside the quotation marks? Don't stress! Generally, the period goes inside the quotation marks, unless you're using a block quote.
The Nitty Gritty: Citation Style
Chicago Style has two main citation styles: author-date and notes-bibliography. Author-date is more common in social sciences, while notes-bibliography is preferred in humanities. Don't worry, we'll cover this in more detail in another post.
How to...
How to choose between footnotes and endnotes?
- It's a matter of personal preference. Footnotes are at the bottom of the page, while endnotes are at the end of the document.
How to format a short quote?
- Use quotation marks and include a footnote or endnote.
How to format a long quote?
- Indent the quote, single-space it, and no quotation marks needed.
How to decide where to put the period?
- Generally, inside the quotation marks, unless it's a block quote.
How to choose between author-date and notes-bibliography?
- Author-date is common in social sciences, while notes-bibliography is preferred in humanities.