Skip to Main Content
Accessibility Information

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.

Hanging Indent

The bibliography entry text should be left-justified; if an entry is more than one line, indent the subsequent line(s) half an inch from the left margin. For more information, please see the CMOS 14.19: Notes and bibliography—an overview or 14.62: Format and placement of bibliography.

NOTE: The library's webpage doesn't show the hanging indent in our examples. 

Personal Communication 

General Format:

2. SenderFirstName SenderLast Name, [Format (e.g. Facebook message or text message, etc.)] to author, Date.

For Example:

2. Abby Smith, text message to author, October 2, 2024.

OR

3. Jessica Murphy, Facebook message to author, January 29, 2024.

Shortened Note:

4. Smith, text message.

See note ¹

 

¹ Personal communication includes email, text messages, and other messaging (e.g. Facebook messages). These are cited in text or in a note, and are only rarely included in the bibliography. See 14.111: Personal communications This link opens in a new window for more information.