FAQ: How do I do an in-text citation in Chicago Style?

In-text citations give brief details of the source of an idea or piece of information within the text of a document.

The notes-bibliography method of Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.) uses superscript numbers for in-text citations which should be placed at the end of the quotation or paraphrased information (see the N&B Citation Quick Guide This link opens in a new window). For example:

Conway explains that the American Revolution had both long-term and short-term causes.¹

Corresponding Footnote entry 

1. Stephen Conway, A Short History of the American Revolutionary War (London: I.B. Tauris, 2013), chap. 1, EBSCOhost.

Corresponding Bibliography entry (don't forget to indent the second and subsequent lines):

Conway, Stephen. A Short History of the American Revolutionary War. London: I.B.Tauris, 2013. EBSCOhost.

When using the author/date method, in-text citations should include the contributors' last names, the year of publication, and the page or section number (if available) (see the A-D Citation Quick Guide This link opens in a new window). For example:

(Conway 2013, chap. 1)

More Information

• Citation Quick Guide This link opens in a new window (Chicago Manual of Style)
• Chicago Style 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

Conway, Stephen. (2013). A short history of the American Revolutionary War. London: I.B.Tauris.