Turabian style, also known as Chicago style or Turabian citation style, is a set of guidelines for formatting academic papers that was developed by Kate L. Turabian, a former dissertation secretary at the University of Chicago. Turabian style is widely used in the social sciences and humanities, and it is similar to the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) in many ways. However, Turabian style provides specific guidelines for formatting student papers, including theses, dissertations, and term papers.
One of the key features of Turabian style is its emphasis on footnote and endnote citation. This means that when you are citing a source in your paper, you include a brief reference to it in the text and provide full bibliographic information in a footnote or endnote. This allows you to provide more detailed information about your sources without interrupting the flow of your paper. Turabian style also includes guidelines for formatting the text of your paper, including margins, font size and type, and paragraph indentation.
When formatting a Turabian style paper, it is important to follow the guidelines for page layout and document structure. The title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and the name of your institution. The main body of the paper should be divided into sections and subsections, with headings and subheadings to help organize the content. Turabian style also recommends using a separate bibliography or reference list at the end of your paper to list all of the sources you have cited.
In addition to the guidelines for formatting and citation, Turabian style also includes specific rules for citing different types of sources. For example, books and articles should be cited differently, and online sources have their own set of rules. It is important to follow these guidelines carefully to ensure that your paper is properly formatted and that you are giving credit to the sources you have used.
In conclusion, Turabian style is a useful set of guidelines for formatting academic papers and citing sources. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your paper is properly formatted and that you are giving credit to the sources you have used. Whether you are writing a term paper, thesis, or dissertation, adhering to Turabian style can help you produce a professional and well-organized document.