Ibid: The Latin Word That's Trying to Stay Relevant
So, you're knee-deep in a research paper and you've just cited a brilliant source. Now, you're about to cite it again, and you're staring at your word processor like a deer in headlights. Should you write out the whole shebang again, or can you just use that fancy Latin word, ibid?
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| When Do You Use Ibid In Chicago Style Footnotes |
Ibid: It's Not Your Grandma's Citation
Let's clear something up right away: ibid is like that old relative who still uses a rotary phone. It's technically possible to use it in Chicago style, but it's not exactly encouraged. Think of it as the Edsel of citations: it was a thing for a while, but then everyone realized there were better options.
The Old School Way:
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- Use ibid. when you're citing the same source as the previous footnote, and the page number is the same.
- Use ibid. followed by a comma and the new page number if you're citing the same source but a different page.
The New Cool Way:
- The 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style suggests using a shortened citation instead of ibid.
- This means you include the author's name, a shortened title, and the page number.
- For subsequent citations, you can omit the title, but still include the author and page number.
Why Bother with Ibid?
You might be wondering why you'd even consider using ibid. in this day and age. Well, there are a few reasons:
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- Tradition: If you're working on a project that follows a strict old-school format, ibid might be your only option.
- Consistency: If you've already used ibid a few times, it might be easier to stick with it for the rest of the paper.
- Masochism: You really enjoy the challenge of learning obscure citation rules.
But let's be honest, most of the time, you're better off using the shortened citation method. It's clearer, more concise, and less likely to confuse your readers.
How to Master the Art of Citation
Here are a few quick tips to help you navigate the treacherous waters of Chicago style citations:
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How to choose between footnotes and endnotes?
- Footnotes are usually preferred for shorter papers, while endnotes are better for longer ones.
How to format a basic Chicago style citation?
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- Author, Title (City: Publisher, Year), page number.
How to handle multiple authors?
- List all authors for the first citation. For subsequent citations, use the first author's last name followed by "et al."
How to cite an online source?
- Include the author, title, website, and date accessed.
How to avoid plagiarism?
- Cite everything, even your own ideas if they're based on someone else's work.
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