Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the thrilling, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat world of Chicago Style footnotes. Yes, you heard right. Footnotes. Prepare for excitement. (Or at least, mild amusement.)
The Footnote Fiesta: Where Tiny Numbers Lead to Big Headaches
Let's be honest, footnotes.resemble those miniature ninjas lurking at the bottom of your page, silently judging your research skills. They're like the tiny, polite cousins of endnotes, who prefer to congregate at the end of the party, far away from the main action. But don't underestimate them! These little guys pack a punch when it comes to academic integrity.
The Essentials: What Must You Cram Into Those Tiny Spaces?
So, what exactly do you shove into these miniature textual prisons? Well, it depends on what you're referencing, of course. But here's the general gist:
- Books:
- Author's First Name Last Name, Title of Book in Italics (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), page number(s).
- Example: Jane Doe, The History of Really Boring Things (Dullsville: Snooze Press, 2023), 42.
- Remember, if you are citing the book for the first time, you must include ALL the information. If you are citing it again, you can use a shortened version.
- Journal Articles:
- Author's First Name Last Name, "Title of Article in Quotation Marks," Title of Journal in Italics Volume Number, Issue Number (Year of Publication): page number(s).
- Example: John Smith, "The Excitement of Watching Paint Dry," Journal of Utter Tedium 12, no. 3 (2022): 112-115.
- Websites:
- Author's First Name Last Name (or Organization Name), "Title of Webpage in Quotation Marks," Website Name, Last Modified Date (if available), URL.
- Example: World Wide Web Wonders, "The Definitive Guide to Procrastination," Procrastinators United, Accessed October 26, 2023,
www.procrastinators.com/guide - <u>Remember that website dates can be tricky, and sometimes you will only be able to provide an accessed date.</u>
- Things That Make You Go "Huh?":
- For those oddball sources like interviews, films, or ancient scrolls found in your attic, consult the Chicago Manual of Style. Seriously, that book is your footnote bible. And if you are lost, your local librarian is your footnote prophet.
The Art of Shortening: When Footnotes Get Lazy (But in a Good Way)
After you've cited a source once, you get to play the "shortening" game. It's like academic shorthand, and it's surprisingly fun.
- Ibid.:
- This little Latin word means "the same." Use it when you're citing the exact same source as the previous footnote.
- Example: 1. Jane Doe, The History of Really Boring Things, 42. 2. Ibid., 45.
- Shortened Form:
- If you're citing the same source but a different page, use a shortened form of the author's last name and the title (or a shortened version of the title), followed by the page number.
- Example: 3. Doe, Really Boring Things, 50.
The Footnote Fails: What Not to Do (Unless You Enjoy Academic Shame)
- Don't forget the page numbers! It's like going to a party and forgetting the cake. Utterly unacceptable.
- Don't mix up your commas and periods. Footnotes have a very particular punctuation dance, and you don't want to step on their toes.
- Don't use a font size that requires a microscope. Your readers aren't ants. Make it readable!
- Don't invent your own citation style. Unless you're trying to start a revolution, stick to the Chicago Manual of Style.
FAQ: Footnote Frenzy!
How to cite a website in a Chicago Style footnote?
- Author (or Organization), "Page Title," Website Name, Last Modified/Accessed Date, URL.
How to use "ibid." in a footnote?
- Use "ibid." when the current footnote is identical to the previous one.
How to shorten a book citation in a footnote?
- Use the author's last name and a shortened version of the book title, followed by the page number.
How to cite a journal article in a Chicago Style footnote?
- Author, "Article Title," Journal Title Volume, Issue (Year): page number(s).
How to cite a book with multiple authors in a Chicago Style footnote?
- Author 1, Author 2, and Author 3, Title of Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), Page number. If there are more than 3 authors, use Author 1, et al., Title of Book (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), Page number.