Chicago In-Text Citations
Learn how to properly format in-text citations using both Chicago citation systems with practical examples.
Chicago In-Text Citation Overview
Chicago style offers two distinct systems for in-text citations. The Notes-Bibliography system uses numbered footnotes or endnotes, while the Author-Date system uses parenthetical citations similar to APA style. Choose one system and use it consistently throughout your paper.
Key Differences
- • Notes-Bibliography: Footnotes/endnotes + Bibliography
- • Author-Date: Parenthetical citations + Reference List
- • Disciplines: Notes-Bibliography for history/literature, Author-Date for sciences
Notes-Bibliography System
Basic Footnote Format
Place a superscript number at the end of the sentence, after punctuation. The corresponding footnote appears at the bottom of the page.
In text:
The historian argues that "democracy requires active citizenship."¹
Footnote:
1. Sarah Johnson, Democratic Ideals in Practice (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2022), 127.
Subsequent Citations
After the first full citation, use shortened forms for subsequent references to the same source:
First citation:
1. Sarah Johnson, Democratic Ideals in Practice (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2022), 127.
Subsequent citations:
2. Johnson, Democratic Ideals, 89.
3. Johnson, Democratic Ideals, 156.
Multiple Authors
Two authors:
1. David Miller and Susan Chen, Historical Perspectives (New York: Academic Press, 2023), 45.
Three or more authors:
1. Robert Taylor et al., Modern Research Methods (Boston: Scholarly Publications, 2022), 78.
Author-Date System
Basic Parenthetical Citations
Include the author's last name, publication year, and page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Basic format:
The study reveals significant trends in voter behavior (Johnson 2022, 127).
Author mentioned in text:
Johnson (2022, 127) argues that "democracy requires active citizenship."
Multiple Authors
Two authors:
Recent research confirms this hypothesis (Miller and Chen 2023, 45).
Three or more authors:
The methodology proves effective (Taylor et al. 2022, 78).
No Page Numbers
For sources without page numbers (like websites), omit the page reference:
The organization reports increased membership (American Historical Society 2023).
Special Citation Cases
Indirect Sources (Notes-Bibliography)
1. Frederick Douglass, quoted in James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988), 234.
Indirect Sources (Author-Date)
Douglass emphasized the importance of education (quoted in McPherson 1988, 234).
Multiple Works by Same Author
Notes-Bibliography:
1. Sarah Johnson, Democratic Ideals in Practice (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2022), 127.
2. Sarah Johnson, Political Theory Today (Boston: Academic Press, 2023), 89.
Author-Date:
The concept has evolved significantly (Johnson 2022, 127; Johnson 2023, 89).
Corporate and Government Authors
Notes-Bibliography
1. U.S. Department of Education, Annual Report on Educational Progress (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 2023), 15.
Author-Date
Educational outcomes have improved nationally (U.S. Department of Education 2023, 15).
Common In-Text Citation Mistakes
- • Mixing systems: Don't use both footnotes and parenthetical citations
- • Wrong punctuation: Superscript numbers go after punctuation in Notes-Bibliography
- • Incomplete parenthetical citations: Include author, year, and page in Author-Date
- • Inconsistent shortened forms: Use the same shortened title throughout
- • Missing page numbers: Include page numbers when available and relevant
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