Note: The 18th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS 18) was published in September 2024 and introduces some changes, particularly to the handling of electronic sources and AI-generated content. The examples on this page follow CMOS 17, which remains widely used. Please confirm with your instructor which edition is required for your programme.
Citing sources in thisChicago Author-Date style consists of two parts:
An in-text citation (a brief parenthetical reference within the body of your text)
The in-text citation points the reader to (the full information about the source founddetails, inlisted the bibliographyalphabetically at the end of your paper)
Every in-text citation must correspond to a full entry in your bibliography, and every bibliography entry should be cited at least once in your text. Together, the paper.two parts allow the reader to trace any claim back to its original source.
DOIs preferred over URLs: When citing electronic sources, always use a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if one is available, as DOIs are permanent and stable. Only use a URL if no DOI exists. A DOI is formatted as a full link: https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx.
In-text Citations (Author-Date Format)
Basic Format
(Author Year, Page Number)
Detailed Examples and Cases
One Author
Include the author's last name and year, followed by a comma and the page number you are citing.
(Thelen 2004, 271)
"There is a consistently high correlation between the voting patterns of parents and the eventual voting patterns of their children, as demonstrated by Miller and Hastings" (Thelen 2004, 271).
Two Authors
Connect both authors' last names with "and," followed by the year, followed by a comma and the page number you are citing.
(Gourevitch and Shinn 2005, 59)
The Seattle Advertiser Advertiser made some startling claims about interventions by corporate interests in the 2004 mayoral election (Gourevitch and Shinn 2005, 59).
Three Authors
List each author's last name separated with a comma, with "and" before the third author, followed by the year, followed by a comma and the page number you are citing.
(Boyd, Teale, and Takuma 1997, 13)
Early
interventions
in literacy development have been shown to produce lasting effects on reading ability across socioeconomic groups (Boyd, Teale, and Takuma 1997, 13).
Four or More Authors
List the first author's last name, then include "et al." for "and others."
(de La Bédoyère et al. 2006, 101)
The theory that the Renaissance marked a radical break with previous history is now discounted by many, notably by Sadie Hawkins in her book book The Myth of the Renaissance (de La Bédoyère et al. 2006, 101).
No Author or Date
List the title of the work in quotation marks and use "n.d." for "no date."
("Making the most of Generative AI," n.d.)
Prompt
engineering
techniques can substantially improve the quality of AI-generated output ("Making the most of Generative AI," n.d.).
Two or More Authors with the Same Last Name
When the reference list has works by authors with the same last name, include their first initial in the in-text citationcitation.
(K. Thelen 2004)
Institutional
development
in Germany followed a path-dependent trajectory shaped by vocational training systems (K. Thelen 2004).
Multiple Works by the Same Author in the Same Year
If an author has published multiple works in the same year, alphabetise the titles in the reference list and then add a, b, c, etc. to the yearyear.
(Sheringham 2010a)
(Sheringham 2010b)
Sheringham's
first study
focused on archival practices in urban spaces (Sheringham 2010a), while his later work expanded the analysis to include suburban landscapes (Sheringham 2010b).
Author's Name Appears in the Sentence
If the author's name appears in the sentence, do not include the name again in the parentheses.
Thelen (2004, 271) argues that institutional evolution is deeply rooted in historical contexts.
Multiple Citations
To cite more than one reference in a single in-text citation, separate the references by semicolons. If the works are by the same author, use just the year and separate with a comma. See CMOS 15.30 for details.
(Thelen 2004; Gourevitch and Shinn 2005)
(Thelen 2004, 2006; Gourevitch and Shinn 2005)
Several
scholars have
argued that corporate governance structures are shaped by national institutional frameworks (Thelen 2004; Gourevitch and Shinn 2005).
Figures
Figures (Artwork/ImagesImages)
Images should appear shortly after you mention them in your paper, should be numbered (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.), and should appear in the List of Figures of your research.
Chicago style also states that "a brief statement of the source of an illustration, known as a credit line, is usually appropriate."appropriate" (CMOS 3.29: Sources and permissions). Chicago style does not prescribe the exact format of this statement. The style does not require that images included in a paper be includedlisted in the reference list.bibliography.
If you wish to include an image in your paper, BI requires at least the following information:
authorAuthor or creator's name
title,Title, or brief description if no title exists
yearYear (if available)
formatFormat (plan, photo, diagram, oil on canvas, etc.), if not apparent
The bibliography appears at the end of your paper and provides the full publication details for every source cited in the text. Entries are listed alphabetically by the first author's last name (or by title, ignoring articles such as "A," "The," or "An," when no author is available). The bibliography allows your reader to locate and verify each source you have used.
Formatting note: Bibliography entries use a hanging indent: the first line of each entry is flush left, and all subsequent lines are indented (typically by 1.27 cm / 0.5 in). In Microsoft Word, you can apply this via Paragraph > Special > Hanging. In Google Docs, use Format > Align & indent > Indentation options > Special indent > Hanging.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)
If you decide to incorporate generative AI tools into your work, it'sit is crucial to carefully consider how you give credit to and cite the results generated by these toolstools. in your content. Make sure to consult with your instructor before integrating AI into your coursework to ensure compliance with guidelines and expectations.
PleaseGuidance noteon that guidelines for working with generativeciting AI areis bothevolving.newThe andinformation changingbelow quickly.reflects It'sthe alwaysposition published by the Chicago Manual of Style in 2023. CMOS 18 (published September 2024) refines this guidance further. Since many AI tools now provide shareable conversation links, the earlier advice to treat AI output like a goodpersonal ideacommunication tomay no longer apply in all cases. Always check the website of the style guide for the latest information.CMOS guidance on citing AI and confirm with your instructor.
In Chicago style, when citing AI-generated content, acknowledge the AI tool as the author. You can include a note or parenthetical citation without listing it in your bibliography. Currently, Chicago advises treating AI content like private conversations, as shareable links are not typically available. Mention the prompt details in the text or as a footnote, and use the date of content generation in your citation. Note that guidance may evolve with new AI features.
Format
Author, Title, Publisher, Date, urlURL for the tool.
Example (if information about the prompt has been included within the text of your paper)
Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
Example (including information about the prompt)
ChatGPT, response to "Provide step by step instructions on how to build a house," OpenAI, March 7, 2023, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
Books/Books / eBooks
Book (single author)
Author’s Last name, First name. yearYear of publication. Title: Subtitle. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher.
Thelen, Kathleen. 2004. How Institutions Evolve: The Political Economy of Skills in Germany. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
<h4
id="bkmrk-book-two-three-authors">Book (two or three authors)
</h4>
<p>First author Last name, First name, and second author First name Last name. yearYear of publication. <em>Title: Subtitle.</em> Edition. Place of publication: Publisher.
</p>
<p class="callout success">Gourevitch, Peter, and James Shinn. 2005. <em>Political Power and Corporate Control: The New Global Politics of Corporate Governance.</em> New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
</p>
<h4 id="bkmrk-book-four-plus-authors">Book (four or more authors)
</h4>
<p>First Author Last name, First name, remaining authors’authors’ First name Last name. yearYear of publication. <em>Title: Subtitle</em>. Edition. Place of Publication: Publisher.
</p>
<p class="callout success">De la BédoyèBédoyère, Camilla, Ihor Holubizky, Julia Kelly, Michael Kerrigan, James Mackay, William Matar, Tom Middlemos, Michael Robinson, and Iain Zaczek. 2006. <em>A Brief History of Art.</em> London: Flame Tree Publishing.
</p>
<h4 id="bkmrk-ebooks">eBooks
</h4>
<p>Author(s) Last name, First name. yearYear of publication. <em>Title: Subtitle,</em>. edition.Edition. Place of Publication: Publisher. urlDOI, (ifURL, available)/or database name/device/format.
<p class="callout info"><strong>Note:</strong> If a book is available in print and onlineonline, you must cite the version of the book you consulted for your work.consulted. Access dates are only included if no publication date information is available. AlsoIf note that ano place of publication may not beis available for an e-book. If this is the case,eBook, write "n.p." ("no place") wherein youits wouldposition.</p>
have<p recordedclass="callout the place of publication.
info"><strong>Note:</strong> If you access your book on an eReader or other type of platform, insert that instead of the urlURL (e.g., Kindle, Google Play Books, Apple BooksBooks).</p>
etc.).
<p
Note:class="callout info"><strong>Note:</strong> Where page numbers are not available or where they change depending on the device usedused, toCMOS view the eBook, the CMOS, 17th Edition17 advises including chapter numbers or section headings instead. If a scanned version of anthe original book is available online to read,online, this version is preferable for citation.
</p>
Book chaptersChapters
Author(s) Last name, First namename. Initial(s). yearYear of publication. “Title of chapter.Chapter.” In In Book Title, edited by First name Last name, Pages. Place of publication: Publisher.
Sheringham, Michael. 2010. “Archiving.” In In Restless Cities, edited by Matthew Beaumont and Gregory Dart, 10-10–24. London: Verso.
Journal articlesArticles
Journal article (single author)
Author(s) Last name, First name. yearYear of publication. “Title of Article.”Journal Title Volume, Issue no. (month or season): pages.Pages.
Barber, Marcus. 2024. “Global Warming and the Political Ecology of Health: Emerging Crises and Systemic Solutions.”The Australian Journal of Anthropology 21, no. 3 (Winter): 390 – 390–391.
<h4 id="bkmrk-journal-two-three-authors">Journal article (two or three authors)
</h4>
<p>First Author Last name, First name, remaining authors First name Last name. yearYear of publication. ““Title of Article.” ” <em>Journal Title</em> Volume, Issue no. (month or season): pages.
Pages.</p>
<p class="callout success">Morgan, Sylvia, Danny Carswell, and Lynda Lamore. 2010. ““The Rise of Political Correctness in Post-War Britain.” ” <em>Twentieth Century Britain</em> 25, no. 3 (March): 412-412–416.
</p>
<h4 id="bkmrk-journal-four-plus-authors">Journal article (four or more thanauthors)</h4>
three authors)
<p>First Author(s)Author Last name, First name, remaining authors First name Last name. yearYear of publication. ““Title of Article.” ” <em>Journal Title Title</em> Volume, Issue no. (month or season): pages.
Pages.</p>
<p class="callout success">Virtue, Simon, Holly Wright, Dale Diamond, and Sheila Murphy. 1943. ““Was Mark Twain a Nihilist?”” <em>American Literary Essays</em> 3, no. 88 (Winter): 13-13–27.
</p>
<h4 id="bkmrk-ejournal-article">eJournal article
</h4>
<p>Author(s) Last name, First name. yearYear of publication. ““Title of Article.” ” <em>Journal Title</em> Volume, Issue no. (month or season): Pages. DOI/URL/DatabaseDOI name.
<hr>
<p class="callout info"><strong>Note:17th edition of the</strong> CMOS 17 advises to only includeincluding an access date ifonly when no publication date is provided.</p>
This<p isclass="callout a change from the 16th edition.
info"><strong>Note:</strong> Month of publication only needs to be included where given in sourcethe citation.
source.</p>
<p class="callout info"><strong>Note:</strong> For four or more than three authors, list all of the authors in the bibliography;bibliography. inIn thea footnote, list only the first author,author followed by "et al., (“and others”)." For more than ten authors, list the first seven in the bibliography followed by "et al.."</p>
Listonly
thefirstTheses authorand followedDissertationsby
Author etLast al.,name, First name. Year. “Title of Thesis.” Type of thesis, Institution. DOI or URL.
Okonkwo, Adaeze. 2024. “Brand Storytelling and Consumer Engagement in the footnote. German Start-Up Ecosystem.” Master's thesis, Berlin International University of Applied Sciences. https://repository.berlin-international.de/items/example.
Note: The type of thesis should be specified exactly (e.g., "Bachelor's thesis," "Master's thesis," "PhD diss."). If the thesis is available in the BI Institutional Repository or another online repository, include the DOI or URL.
Artworks/ImagesReports and White Papers
Note:Author(s) or Organisation. Year. Title of Report. Report number (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher. DOI or URL.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 2023. OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook 2023. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/342b8564-en.
Note: When an organisation is both the author and the publisher, it is acceptable to list the organisation as the author and omit it from the publisher position, or to list it in both positions. Be consistent throughout your bibliography.
Conference Papers and Proceedings
Author(s) Last name, First name. Year. “Title of Paper.” Paper presented at Conference Name, Location, Date. DOI or URL.
Chen, Wei, and Laura Müller. 2023. “Sustainable Materials in Modular Housing: A Comparative Analysis.” Paper presented at the International Conference on Sustainable Design, Copenhagen, September 14–16, 2023.
If the paper is published in a proceedings volume:
Author(s) Last name, First name. Year. “Title of Paper.” In Title of Proceedings, edited by First name Last name, Pages. Place of publication: Publisher. DOI or URL.
Nakamura, Yuki. 2022. “User Experience Design for Ageing Populations.” In Proceedings of the 2022 Design Research Society Conference, edited by Ri Pierce and Paul Rodgers, 312–325. London: Design Research Society. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2022.example.
Artworks / Images
Note: CMOS 17 states that paintings, sculpturessculptures, and photographs can normally be simply cited in the text,text so long aswith full source details are given.details. A Bibliographybibliography entry is not a requirement.requirement (CMOS 14.235: Citing paintings, photographs, and sculpture).
Creator/Artist(s) Last name, First name.Title. dateDate of creation/completion. Medium, Dimensions (dimensions conversion). Location of work. URL/DatabaseDOI, URL, or database name.
Author Last name, First name. “Title of Web Page."” Website name or Publishingpublishing organisation. Publication date or last modified date, year. Access date if no other date available. DOI or URL.
Note: If no author is available, the publishing organisation can be used instead. If neither areis available, list the web page title first. Use the first significant word to choose where to place the reference in your alphabetical listing. Ignore(ignoring articles such as “A”,"A," “The”"The," or “An”"An") whento choosingdetermine alphabetical placement in the location.bibliography.
Note: Only provide an access date,date if the date published or last modified dates areis unavailable.
Note:PublishingThe publishing organisation does not need to be included if it is the same body as the website name/title/author,name, astitle, inor the case above.author.
