Chicago Style Citation: A Humorous Guide to Not Getting Plagiarized
So, you've finally decided to dive into the world of academic writing. Congratulations! But hold your horses, young scholar, because we're about to tackle a beast that has haunted countless students: the dreaded Chicago style citation.
What is Chicago Style, Anyway?
Imagine Chicago style as a particularly picky librarian. It has very specific rules about how to format your citations, and it's not afraid to scold you if you get it wrong. But fear not, for I am here to guide you through this labyrinth of footnotes and bibliographies.
The Basics of Chicago Style Citation for Websites
-
Identify the Key Information:
- Author: Who wrote this masterpiece? If it's a website, it might be an organization or a group of authors.
- Title of the Page: What's the main topic?
- Title of the Website: Where did you find this gem?
- URL: The digital address of the page.
- Date Accessed: When did you visit this site?
-
Format Your Citation:
- Footnotes:
- For the first citation, include all the information.
- For subsequent citations, use a shortened version, like the author's last name and a shortened title.
- Bibliography:
- List all your sources alphabetically by author's last name.
- For websites, include the author, title, website title, URL, and date accessed.
- Footnotes:
A Humorous Example
Let's say you found a hilarious article on the internet about cats wearing hats. Here's how you'd cite it in Chicago style:
Footnote:
- "Cats in Hats: A Purrfectly Ridiculous Trend," The Daily Meow, accessed October 26, 2023, [invalid URL removed].
Bibliography: Cats in Hats: A Purrfectly Ridiculous Trend. The Daily Meow. Accessed October 26, 2023. [invalid URL removed].
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the Date Accessed: Don't let your sources age like fine wine.
- Misspelling the URL: A tiny typo can lead to a big headache.
- Ignoring the Title of the Website: It's like forgetting to name your pet rock.
5 Common FAQs: How-To Chicago Style Citation for Websites
- How to Cite a Website with No Author: Use the title of the page or website as the first element of your citation.
- How to Cite a PDF Document from a Website: Treat it like a regular website citation, but include the file format (PDF) after the title.
- How to Cite a Government Website: Include the government agency as the author and the full website title.
- How to Cite a Blog Post: Cite the author, title of the post, title of the blog, URL, and date accessed.
- How to Cite a Social Media Post: Include the author's username, post content, platform, date posted, and URL.
Remember, Chicago style can be a bit of a pain, but it's essential for academic integrity. By following these guidelines and keeping a sense of humor, you can navigate the world of citations with ease. Happy citing!