A Chicago style paper is a style of writing and formatting that is commonly used in the fields of history, the arts, and the humanities. It is based on the guidelines set forth in the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), which is a widely recognized and respected resource for writers and editors in these fields.
There are a few key characteristics that define a Chicago style paper. First and foremost, it is important to note that Chicago style is a documentation style, which means that it provides guidelines for citing and referencing sources within the text of a paper as well as in a bibliography or works cited page. This is an important aspect of Chicago style because it helps to establish the credibility and authority of the writer by showing that the ideas and information presented in the paper are based on well-respected sources.
In terms of formatting, a Chicago style paper is typically double-spaced and has 1-inch margins on all sides. It also uses a specific font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and a specific font size, such as 12 point. The title page of a Chicago style paper includes the title of the paper, the author's name, and the course or institution for which the paper is being written.
In terms of in-text citations, Chicago style uses either footnotes or endnotes to provide information about the sources used in the paper. Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page on which the reference appears, while endnotes are placed at the end of the paper. In either case, the information provided in the footnote or endnote includes the author's name, the title of the work, and the page number(s) being referenced.
Finally, a Chicago style paper includes a bibliography or works cited page at the end of the paper. This page lists all of the sources used in the paper, including books, articles, websites, and other types of materials. The bibliography is organized alphabetically by the author's last name, and it provides detailed information about each source, including the title, publisher, and date of publication.
Overall, the Chicago style of writing and formatting is a widely used and respected method for presenting research and ideas in the fields of history, the arts, and the humanities. By following the guidelines set forth in the CMS, writers and researchers can create clear, well-organized papers that are based on reliable and credible sources.