Chicago Referencing

The Chicago style of referencing presents two basic documentation systems: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date. Choosing between the two often depends on subject matter and the nature of sources cited, as each system is favoured by different groups of scholars. Always make sure to check with your subject supervisor or your lecturer to see which method of Chicago referencing you should be using.

The notes and bibliography style is preferred by many in the humanities, including those in literature, history, and the arts. This style presents bibliographic information in notes and, often, a bibliography. It accommodates a variety of sources, including esoteric ones less appropriate to the author-date system.

The author-date system has long been used by those in the physical, natural, and social sciences. In this system, sources are briefly cited in the text, usually in parentheses, by author’s last name and date of publication. The short citations are amplified in a list of references, where full bibliographic information is provided.

Aside from the use of notes versus parenthetical references in the text, the two systems share a similar style. 

Useful websites

Cite Them Right Online: from Bloomsbury Publishers. Login via the top right link if prompted and enter 'University of Birmingham'.  Find Chicago under ‘Choose Referencing Style’. This uses the latest (17th) edition of the style.

The Chicago Manual of Style is the official website of this style, also using the latest (17th) edition. It is also probably the most useful for both learning how to cite correctly and create a full biography and reference list. Some content is subscription-only, but the following pages can be accessed freely:

Other useful websites:

For those still requiring information in the 16th edition:

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