The Chicago style is widely used in academic writing, particularly in the humanities, history, and social sciences. This comprehensive guide explores the key aspects of formatting an essay using the Chicago style, including citation methods, layout specifications, and common use cases in scholarly writing.
1. Introduction to the Chicago Style
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), currently in its 17th edition, is one of the most respected and widely used style guides in academic and professional publishing. Its use extends from non-fiction books to scientific articles. CMOS is known for its attention to detail and for providing solutions to a wide range of writing and formatting questions.
While other styles like APA or MLA are more prescriptive, the Chicago style allows some flexibility, making it ideal for writers who want to adapt their text to different audiences or purposes. Therefore, it is essential not only to know the rules but also to understand the context in which the style is applied.
2. Citation Systems in the Chicago Style
Chicago style offers two main citation systems: the Notes and Bibliography (NB) system and the Author-Date system. The choice between the two depends on the discipline, institutional preferences, and the type of text being produced.
2.1. Notes and Bibliography (NB) System
This system is commonly used in the humanities, such as history, art, and literature. Sources are cited through footnotes or endnotes, with a complete bibliography at the end of the document. One of the advantages of this system is the ability to include additional comments in the footnotes, enriching the reading without interrupting the flow of the main text.
Example footnote:
1. Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Revolution (New York: Vintage, 1996), 112.
In the bibliography, the source would appear as:
Hobsbawm, Eric. The Age of Revolution. New York: Vintage, 1996.
2.2. Author-Date System
This system is common in the sciences and social sciences. It is similar to the APA format. Citations appear in the body of the text, usually in parentheses, and refer to a reference list at the end.
Example in-text citation:
(Smith 2020, 54)
In the reference list:
Smith, John. 2020. Introduction to Sociology. Chicago: Academic Press.
3. Document Formatting
Chicago style has clear guidelines regarding the appearance of the text, including font size, spacing, margins, and page numbers. These rules ensure uniformity and make academic texts easier to read and review.
- Paper: Standard letter size (8.5 x 11 inches), one side only.
- Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout, including notes and bibliography.
- Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
- Paragraphs: Indent the first line by 0.5 inch (1.27 cm).
- Alignment: Left-aligned text without full justification.
- Page numbers: Begin on the first page of the main body, top right corner.
4. Essay Structure in Chicago Style
A Chicago-style essay typically includes the following elements:
- Title Page: Includes the title, author’s name, course, instructor’s name, and submission date. Centered horizontally and vertically.
- Optional Table of Contents: A list of sections and subsections with page numbers.
- Introduction: Presents the topic, research question, and thesis statement.
- Body: Analytical and argumentative sections supported by theoretical and empirical evidence.
- Conclusion: Revisits the thesis, summarizes key arguments, and suggests future research directions.
- Footnotes: For citations and additional comments.
- Bibliography: A complete list of all sources cited.
5. Figures, Tables, and Illustrations
Visual aids such as charts, graphs, and tables are often used in academic writing. In Chicago style, each figure should be numbered and accompanied by a clear caption. The source should be cited directly below the graphic element.
Example:
Figure 1. GDP Growth in Brazil (2000-2020)
Source: IBGE, 2021.
It is also important to reference the figure in the text: “As shown in Figure 1, Brazil’s GDP exhibited significant variation over the analyzed two decades.”
6. Direct and Indirect Quotations
Short quotations (less than four lines) are incorporated into the text and enclosed in quotation marks. Longer quotations are formatted as block quotes: a separate paragraph with a 0.5-inch indent, single-spaced, and without quotation marks.
Example of a short quote:
According to Hobsbawm, “the industrial revolution permanently altered social relations in Europe.”1
Example of a block quote:
Industrialization did not merely create new forms of production, but also reshaped urban space and class relations:
Rapid urbanization, driven by the need for concentrated labor, created chaotic and unsanitary cities. These urban centers became the birthplace of a new working class that began to demand rights through strikes and the formation of labor unions.2
