This guide is based on Kate Turabian's manual (9th edition) and is a reliable and heavily-used shorter guide to Chicago Style.
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Ninth Edition by Kate Turabian (1893-1987) was the dissertation secretary of the University of Chicago's graduate school and every accepted dissertation crossed her desk. She became an expert on the Chicago style and wrote a pamphlet that described the correct style to use when writing dissertations.
This pamphlet eventually became the book, A Manual for Writers, which students and researchers use today. Click here for more information on Kate Turabian.
Welcome to the Turabian/Chicago citation style reseach guide. Turabian style of writing and formatting was created by Kate Turabian. This style was adapted from the University of Chicago's 'Chicago' style of citation and was simplified for students and researchers.
Turabian presents two basic systems of documentation: notes-bibliography style (or simply bibliography style) and author-date style (or reference list style). These styles are basically the same as in the Chicago style. Bibliography style is typically used in literature, history and the arts. The reference list style is typically used in the physical, natural, and social science areas.
The purpose of documentation is to:
The following sections provide you with information and examples that will help you to cite the sources that you come across during your research. While this guide provides helpful examples, it may not be perfect. For more detailed information, please consult your instructor or see the Manual, which is available at the Ask Here Desk in the Library.
What is the difference between Turabian and Chicago?
The main difference is that the Turabian guide is shorter and contains fewer instructions than the Chicago Manual. It also does not contain any information about publication. The Chicago Manual of Style is designed for individuals who are publishing so it includes a great deal of information of formatting papers. Turabian is a simplified version that is designed for students writing research papers.
Which style should I use?
Always check with your instructor. However, in general, most of the guidelines that you find in the Turabian manual will also apply to the Chicago style.