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When to Cite: A Chicago Style Survival Guide
So, you’re knee-deep in a research paper, and the question looms large: When do I actually have to cite this stuff? Let’s clear up the murky waters of Chicago style citation.
The Golden Rule: If in Doubt, Cite It
It's like wearing a seatbelt. You might feel silly doing it all the time, but when you really need it, you’ll be glad you did. So, unless you’re absolutely 100% sure the information is common knowledge (like, water is wet), it’s probably safer to cite it.
When to Cite: The Nitty Gritty
- Direct Quotes: If you’re using someone else’s exact words, even if it's just a phrase, you must cite it. Think of it like borrowing a really good joke - you have to give credit to the original comedian.
- Paraphrasing: Even if you're putting things in your own words, if the ideas came from someone else, you need to cite it. It's like using someone else's recipe but claiming it as your own. Not cool.
- Summarizing: Similar to paraphrasing, if you’re condensing someone else’s work, you should cite it. It's like telling your friend about a great movie without spoiling it – you still need to mention the movie's title.
- Facts and Statistics: If you found a fascinating fact or statistic, you need to back it up with a citation. It’s like quoting an expert witness in court – you want to show the jury where you got your information.
- Visuals: Images, graphs, and charts also need citations. It’s like using someone else’s photo for your Instagram – always credit the original photographer.
Common Excuses and Why They’re Wrong
- "But it's common knowledge." This is a dangerous assumption. Just because you know it, doesn't mean everyone does.
- "I only used a little bit." Even a tiny piece of someone else’s work needs to be cited. It's like stealing a spoon from a restaurant – it might be small, but it's still stealing.
- "I found it on the internet." Information from the internet still needs to be cited. Think of the internet as a giant library – you wouldn't walk out with a book without checking it out, right?
Remember: Proper citation is not just about avoiding plagiarism; it’s about giving credit where credit is due and helping your readers learn more about the topic.
How to... Chicago Style FAQs
- How to choose between notes-bibliography and author-date style? Generally, humanities fields prefer notes-bibliography, while social and natural sciences lean towards author-date.
- How to format a basic footnote? A basic footnote includes author’s name, title of work, publication information, and page number.
- How to cite a website in Chicago style? Include author (if known), title of page, website title, URL, and access date.
- How to handle multiple authors in a citation? List all authors for the first citation. In subsequent citations, use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”
- How to cite a direct quote? Enclose the quote in quotation marks, cite the author, work title, and page number in a footnote or parenthetical citation.
So there you have it! Armed with this knowledge, you can conquer the world of Chicago style citations. Or at least, your research paper.
Happy citing!
