FAQ: How do I cite a blog in Chicago Style?

Citing a Blog

For detailed information please visit: 14.105: Citing Blog Posts and Blogs This link opens in a new window. In Chicago style, blog entries or comments are cited in the body of the paper instead of a note and do not require a bibliographic entry.  

For example:

“In a blog entry posted to the CMOS Shop Talk Blog on March 10, 2020, . . . ”

Notes and Bibliography Examples 

If a footnote and bibliography entry is needed, follow the examples below.  You give the author's name exactly as it is posted even if it's fictitious.

General Format:

1. Author of the post, “title of the Post in Quotation Marks”, the name of the blog in italics, the date of the post, the URL.

Footnote Example:

1. Carol Saller, “Formatting Text Messages in Fiction,” CMOS Shop Talk, March 10, 2020, https://cmosshoptalk.com/2020/03/10/formatting-text-messages-in-fiction/.

2. William Germano, “Futurist Shock,” Lingua Franca (blog), Chronicle of Higher Education, February 15, 2017, https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2017/02/15/futurist-shock/.

Corresponding Bibliography Example:

Germano, William. “Futurist Shock.” Lingua Franca (blog). Chronicle of Higher Education, February 15, 2017. https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2017/02/15/futurist-shock/.

NOTE: Blogs that are part of a larger publication should also include the title of that publication; if it is not clear from the titles, the word blog may be added in parentheses after the title of the blog. See example 2 and the bibliography entry example above.

Citing Readers’ Comments

When citing readers’ comments (including replies to comments) include the information of the commentator in the note while the corresponding bibliography entry is to the relevant post. The identity of the commenter should use the wording on the site. The following examples assume the Germano post has been cited in full in a previous note.

Footnote Example:

3. Jim, February 16, 2017, comment on Germano, “Futurist Shock.”

4. Stephanos C, February 21, 2017, reply to Jim on Germano, “Futurist Shock.”

Corresponding Bibliography Example:

Germano, William. “Futurist Shock.” Lingua Franca (blog). Chronicle of Higher Education, February 15, 2017. https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2017/02/15/futurist-shock/.

More Information

• Chicago Manual of Style This link opens in a new window (Chicago Manual of Style)
• Chicago Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

Disclaimer

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.