Date Night with Chicago Style
So, you've decided to dive into the wonderful world of academic writing? Congratulations, you've chosen a path of intellectual enlightenment (or at least, that's what they tell you). Let's talk about the bane of many a student's existence: Chicago style dates.
Date Expectations
Chicago style is like that picky friend who always has a specific order at the restaurant. It's got rules, and it likes to follow them. When it comes to dates, it's no different. You can't just slap down a random number and call it a day (or should I say, date?).
Basic Rule: Spell out the month, use numerals for the day, and set off the year with commas.Example: April 2, 2024
Date Complications
But wait, there's more! Chicago style is like a never-ending onion - you peel back one layer and there's another one waiting to make you cry.
No Month, No Problem: If you're only giving the day and year, you can skip the commas.Example: 2 April 2024
Short and Sweet: For shorter works like articles or blog posts, you might be able to get away with just using the day and month.Example: 2 April
Date Anomalies
And let's not forget the weird and wonderful exceptions. Because, why make things easy, right?
- Ordinal Numbers: If you're feeling fancy, you can use ordinal numbers for the day (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd). But be warned, this can come across as a bit stuffy.
- Decades: For decades, you can use numerals followed by an 's'.Example: the 1920s
How to Avoid Date Disasters
Now that you've got a basic understanding of Chicago style dates, let's recap with some helpful tips.
How to format a date with month, day, and year?
- Spell out the month, use numerals for the day, and set off the year with commas.
How to format a date without the month?
- Use numerals for the day followed by the year without commas.
How to format a date for shorter works?
- Use numerals for the day followed by the spelled-out month.
How to use ordinal numbers for dates?
- Spell out the ordinal number (1st, 2nd, 3rd) followed by the month.
How to write a decade in Chicago style?
- Use numerals followed by an 's' (e.g., 1920s).
Remember, the Chicago Manual of Style is your ultimate guide. If you're still unsure, consult the manual or seek help from a professional editor. Happy dating!