Citing Websites: A Chicago Turabian Tragedy (or Triumph)
So, you've finally finished your masterpiece. You've argued like a lawyer, philosophized like a Greek, and cited everything from ancient scrolls to modern-day tweets. But wait, there's one pesky little detail left: citing those pesky websites. Fear not, dear scholar, for I am here to guide you through the labyrinth of Chicago Turabian style.
The Basics: It's All About the Details
Think of Chicago Turabian as the strict, yet secretly kind, headmaster of citation land. It's all about precision, my friends. You need to include:
- Author: The person who wrote the website. If there's none, use the website title instead.
- Title: The name of the webpage.
- Website Title: The overall name of the website.
- Date: When the page was published or updated. If there's no date, use "Accessed" and the date you looked at it.
- URL: The website address.
The Format: Notes and Bibliography
Chicago Turabian has two main styles: notes and bibliography. Let's break it down:
Notes: These are little footnotes or endnotes at the bottom of your page or at the end of your paper. They look like this:
- Author Last Name, "Page Title," Website Title, Date (if available), URL, accessed Date.
Bibliography: This is a fancy list of all your sources at the end of your paper. It looks like this:
Author Last Name, First Name. "Page Title." Website Title. Date (if available). URL.
Common Mistakes: Don't Be That Guy
I know, I know, citations are boring. But trust me, getting them wrong is even more boring (and annoying for your professor). Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Forgetting the Access Date: If there's no publication date, you must include when you accessed the website.
- Messing Up the Format: Chicago Turabian is picky about punctuation and capitalization. Don't make it mad.
- Not Proofreading: Typos and errors make you look less than scholarly. Proofread carefully!
How to Cite Different Types of Websites: A Quick Guide
- Websites with Authors: Easy peasy. Just follow the basic format.
- Websites Without Authors: Use the website title as the author.
- Images: Treat images like any other source, but include the image title and source information.
- Social Media: Cite social media posts like you would any other online text, but include the platform (Twitter, Facebook, etc.).
FAQ: Chicago Turabian Citation Quick Tips
How to cite a blog post in Chicago Turabian?
- Treat it like an article, but include "blog" after the blog title.
How to cite a Wikipedia article in Chicago Turabian?
- Use the article title as the author, and include the last accessed date.
How to cite a YouTube video in Chicago Turabian?
- Include the video title, creator, upload date, and URL.
How to cite a government website in Chicago Turabian?
- Treat it like any other website, but include the government agency as the author if available.
How to cite an online database in Chicago Turabian?
- Include the database name, article title, author, and access date.
Remember, while Chicago Turabian might seem like a beast, with a little practice, you'll be citing like a pro. So, go forth and conquer the world of citations!