FAQ: How do I cite a resource with no author in Chicago Style?

Generally speaking, if you cannot identify the author of a source, you move the title to the author position in the references list and use a shortened version of the title for the in-text citation. Here are examples of how it works in the Chicago citation style:

Chicago Style

If the author or editor is unknown, the note or bibliography entry should normally begin with the title. An initial article is ignored in alphabetizing. The rest of the citation will follow the format of the source (book, journal, website, other medium).

Bibliography Entry

General Format

Title. Location: Publisher, date

"Title." Source vol#, issue no. (date): page(s).

Note Entry

General Format

2. Title (Location: Publisher, date), page(s).

3. "Title," Source vol#, issue no. (date): page(s).

More information

• Citing Your Sources Guide (Shapiro Library)  

Further Help

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.

Campus Students

To access Academic Support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.

Online Students

To access help with citations and more, visit the Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:

• Academic Support Overview: Getting Help with your Schoolwork This link opens in a new window

References

University of Chicago. (2017). The Chicago Manual of Style. University of Chicago Press.