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Chicago Style: Basics

This guide is intended to help you learn what Chicago Style is and includes. This guide will help you cite sources and avoid plagiarism. The guide also includes examples of Chicago style and lead you to resources that can help you cite sources.

What is Chicago Style?


Chicago Style, currently in its 17th edition, is a citation protocol established by the University of Chicago.  See what's new with the 17th edition with the videos from the Chicago Manual Website.

Chicago Style is most often used in the disciplines of:

  • History
  • Religion

Be sure to check with your professor as to what citation style is required for each assignment!

What does Chicago Style include?


Chicago Style includes:

  • instruction for manuscript preparation and publication
  • guidelines for style, grammar and usage
  • rules for documenting your sources in-text including the Notes-Bibliography System (NB) and the Author-Date System
  • guidelines for a Bibliography at the end of your paper