"Chicago Style Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide"

Starting a Chicago style paper, also known as the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), can be a breeze once you understand its basic principles. This guide will walk you through the essentials, from understanding the CMOS to formatting your paper like a pro.

Understanding the Chicago Manual of Style

The CMOS is a widely-used citation and formatting style, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. It offers two systems: Notes and Bibliography (NB) and Author-Date. This guide focuses on the NB system, which is more common in academic writing.

Setting Up Your Paper: Formatting Basics

Before you dive into the content, let's set up your paper's formatting:

• Use a standard 8.5 x 11-inch page with 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Double-space your text in a clear, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman, size 12.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
• Use page numbers in the header or footer.

Title Page

Create a separate title page with the following elements, centered on the page:

• Title of your paper
• Your name
• Course name and section
• Instructor's name
• Date

Citing Sources in Chicago Style: Notes and Bibliography

The NB system uses footnotes for in-text citations and a bibliography at the end of your paper. Here's how to format each:

Footnotes

Footnotes should appear at the bottom of the page where the citation is used. Here's how to format them:

Citation Type	Footnote Format
Book	Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Edition. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
Article	Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal Volume, Issue (Year): Page Range.

Bibliography

Your bibliography should appear on a new page at the end of your paper, titled "Bibliography." Here's how to format entries:

Citation Type	Bibliography Format
Book	Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Edition. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
Article	Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal Volume, Issue (Year): Page Range.

Quotations and More

Chicago style also provides guidelines for handling quotations, block quotes, and more. Always consult the CMOS or your instructor for specific cases.

Starting a Chicago style paper is a straightforward process once you understand its basic principles. With this guide, you're well on your way to formatting your paper like a pro. Happy writing!