Turabian Citation Style Guide 9th Edition: Home

Welcome to the Turabian/Chicago citation style research guide. Turabian style of writing and formatting was created by Kate Turabian and is a simplified version of the Chicago Manual of Style.  It is designed specifically for students writing research papers, theses, and dissertations.  It is widely use in History, Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences.

Turabian utilized two documentation systems to identify (cite) other people's ideas and information used within your essay or paper, and to indicate sources in a reference or bibliography at the end of your essay or paper:   

1. Notes and Bibliography Style is used for citing a wide variety of sources. It typically utilizes footnotes or endotes to cite sources within the body of the paper. This method allows for explanations and source context without cluttering the main text of a paper.   A bibliography at the end of the paper lists all sources
2. Author-Date Style (or reference list style) is used when concise citations and recent research are emphasized.  It typically utilizes in-text citations to allow for quick identification of sources without interrupting the flow.  It also lists all sources in a bibliography at the end of the paper.

This information is intended to be a guideline. Please check with your instructor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.

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.

• Turabian Citation Quick Guide - Online

  This is online version for the latest edition of the Turabian Citation Quick Guide.

• NOTE: The full Turabian Manual for Writers is not available online and is only available in print.. The most recent edition is located at the As Here Desk on the 2nd floor of the Library

Kate Turabian (1893-1987) served as the dissertation secretary at the University of Chicago's graduate school, where she reviewed every accepted dissertation.  Through this role, she became an expert in the Chicago style of citation and formatting.  To assist students, she authored a pamphlet that outlined the proper style for academic writing. The pamphlet later evolved into the widely used A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, These, and Dissertations.