Chicago Style Basics

Learn How it works

1. Footnotes

Put a superscript number after the sentence that uses a source, after the punctuation.¹ At the bottom of the page, write the note. The first time you cite a source, give a full note. After that, use a short note.

• Full note: First Last, Title (Place: Publisher, Year), page.
• Short note: Last, Short Title, page.

2. Bibliography

List sources alphabetically. The first author is reversed, and the parts are separated by periods.

• Book: Last, First. Title. Place: Publisher, Year.
• Article: Last, First. “Article Title.” Journal Volume, no. Issue (Year): pages.
• Web page: Last, First (or organization). “Page Title.” Site Name. Month Day, Year. URL.

Chicago also has an author-date system used in sciences. Most high school history classes use notes and bibliography, shown here.

Examples See it done

Full footnote, then a short note

1. Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (Boston: Anti-Slavery Office, 1845), 37.
2. Douglass, Narrative, 41.

Bibliography entry

Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Boston: Anti-Slavery Office, 1845.

Web page

National Archives. “The Bill of Rights: What Does It Say?” Last modified February 10, 2023. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights/what-does-it-say.

Practice Check yourself

Answer, then tap Check. You get an explanation either way.

1. Where do Chicago notes-and-bibliography citations appear in the paper?

   In parentheses after the sentence In numbered footnotes at the bottom of the page Only at the end In the title
   Check

2. In a footnote, the author's name is written…

   Last, First First Last Initials only
   Check

3. After the first full note, later notes for the same source should be…

   Full notes again Short notes: Last, Short Title, page Left out
   Check