Chicago: Author-Date Citation - Everything You Need to Know in One Guide

What Is Chicago Author-Date Citation?

Chicago style of author-date citation is a part of Chicago Style Reference, called the "bible of editors." It was first published in 1906 by the University of Chicago Press. In this article, we will cover the 17th edition. Probably, if you know this style, you're an author of social or historical publications. 

Chicago Citation Author-Date: Book

The Chicago author-date citation of the book looks pretty simple. The in text citation Chicago includes only two elements: author and date. It is easy to guess from the format name! For referencing a source, have an author, date, title, and publisher. Here are formulas:

Look at the following examples:

Author-Date Citation Chicago: Chapter or Other Part of an Edited Book

Yes, you can do even a Chicago author-date book citation of a chapter! Sometimes you don’t need to cite the whole book, but only its part. You already know what to mention in-text, but this time you need to specify pages. In the reference list, include page range for chapter. Here are formulas for a better understanding:

Examples:

Chicago Author-Date Citation: E-Book

For Chicago author-date citation of books online, include a provider, URL, or application/device you used. For E-books from online libraries, except a URL also include a database. For other E-book types, mention information on their style. No fixed page numbers are available for in-text citation? Then you can simply omit this part. Look at the following formulas:

Examples:

Chicago Author-Date Style Citation: Translated Book

Chicago author-date book citation can be translated into multiple languages. In-text you mention author and date as usual in parentheses. Reference manual you can see in template below. 

Look at examples:

Chicago Manual of Style Citation Author-Date: Journal Article

Journal articles in Chicago style citation author-date are trendy recently. In case you need a Chicago journal citation, follow another guide we have in our library. Since most scientific literature moves online, you will have to cite E-journals one day. In bibliography include standard information with DOI or URL. In-text, specify exact page numbers. Here are formulas:

Examples:

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Chicago Author-Date Citation: Multiple Authors of Journal

Chicago author-date citation of journal can have one small trick. Work might have multiple authors. Then, in-text differs depending on the number of writers. In references, there is only one option. For two-three authors, include last names, using commas with “and”. For four or more authors, include first author and “et al.” Here are formulas:

Look at examples below:

Chicago Author-Date Citation Style: News or Magazine Article

Chicago author-date citations for online newspapers are somehow special to cite. They can be in running text, without actual in-text format in parentheses. Also, it’s not obligatory to place them in the reference list. However, for formal reference, follow our detailed template. If you use an online resource, end it with a URL, library database, or app. Both news and magazines are mentioned similarly in your paper. Include page numbers in text but omit them in a reference. Look at formulas in Chicago writing style:

Examples:

Chicago Style Citation Author-Date: Book Review

Chicago style author-date citation for book review differs in additional detail. In the reference entries list make a separate sentence with information on the reviewer. As for in-text, mention author, date, page numbers. Look at formulas:

Examples:

Chicago Style Author-Date Citation: Audio and Video Recordings

Chicago author-date citation can refer to audio and video recordings.  Formal actually depends on available information. You should mention original published sources and visual information. This includes type, length, and where it is posted. In many cases, visuals can be directed to running text or grouped in a separate section. But the benefit of this citation style is adaptation. You can do a simple in-text format also! Look at the following formulas:

Examples:

Author-Date Citation Chicago: Film or Video Recording

Chicago author-date video citation is needed for your history of cinematography class. Imagine you have watched a film and don’t know how to cite a recording. Refer to writer and year. Follow our detailed template below:

Examples:

Chicago Author-Date Citation: Lecture Recordings

Online studying requires knowledge about Chicago citation author-date on lecture. Do not hesitate to pay attention to every detail we provide below. 

Here are examples:

Chicago Author-Date Style Citation: Interview

Suppose you need to make an oral interview citation in Chicago author-date style. You are impressed by how Elizabeth Taylor gives an interview to Oprah Winfrey. Now you think you have to use it for your social research in this format. Pay attention to when and where this conversation was published. Don’t forget to add a URL. Here are formulas:

Examples:

Chicago Style Citation Author-Date: Personal Communication

Chicago author-date personal communication citation is something scientists couldn’t imagine 20 years ago. But now we are all lucky. Because it is allowed to use unpublished or edited letters even in research. Except for personal communications, this part includes Emails and even messages sent through social media. Usually, they are cited in-text only. And there is no need for a reference list even in formal research. Look at the following format:

Example:

Chicago Style Author-Date Citation: Website Content

Chicago author-date website citation refers to online content. That is why the first thing you should think about is DOI. Can’t find any author? No worries, start directly with the page title in quotation marks both in the text and reference list. No last modified date? Simply describe website content in text. For a formal citation, check the template below. No publication date available? Use n.d. ( “no date”) in place of year and include an access date. For a source that does not list a date of publication or revision. Look at formulas below:

Examples:

Chicago Citation Author-Date: Social Media Content

Chicago style citation author-date can even mention online social media content! Isn't it incredible to be living in the current era? The template below allows you to refer to web sources.  Messages shared through social media are considered personal communication. We discussed it in another paragraph above. But here, you don't even have to know a real person's name. Use an available nickname for the author. If it is relevant, you can include photos and videos. This content may not even need a reference or in-text citation. But sometimes, in formal style, you can do as we advise you in the template. Here are formulas:

Look at the following examples:

Final Thoughts on Chicago Author-Date Citation

Chicago-style author-date citations may have many pitfalls. So before you start using this style, ask your professor whether you need it. However, you should not be scared. We provided everything you need to know about citing sources in Chicago. Just carefully follow our templates, and good luck!