Writing@CSU Writing Guide
Citation Guide: Chicago Manual of Style (Author/Date
System)
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Introduction
The Chicago Manual of Style documentation system is used in both the humanities and the
social sciences. A bit more complex than either the MLA or the APA, it offers two approaches
for documenting sources: 1) a notes system and, 2) an author/date system similar to the APA.
This guide explains the Author/Date system. A separate guide explains the Chicago Manual
of Style (Notes System).
Inserted at the point of reference, an in-text parenthetical citation containing the author's name
and the date of publication interacts with the end documentation by pointing to a specific entry
on the References List page.
Notes, similar to those used in the CMS Notes System, may be used in the Author/Date
system, but only to provide further information about a particular idea. They do not replace
entries found in the References List which contains the bibliographic information required to
properly cite your sources. Check with your instructor on what is expected when you are
asked to use this style.
This guide is largely based on style recommendations from the 14th edition of the Chicago
Manual of Style, however, you may also wish to consult the 6th edition of Kate Turabian's A
Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. In it you will find many
corresponding or similar documentation patterns.
Citing Sources within Your Document
The CMS Author/Date in-text citation system follows a parenthetical format rather than
the superscripted numbers found in the CMS Notes system. Much like the APA, it
emphasizes authors and dates of publication, both of which are important benchmarks
denoting relevancy and validity in the social and the natural sciences.
In some cases, chapters, paragraphs and page numbers are required. Regardless of
contents, the parenthetic citation should immediately follow the cited material within a
sentence and before the period if it is at the end of the sentence. In the case of quoted
material, the citation is placed between the final quotation mark and the period at the
end of the sentence.
CMS In-Text Formatting Rules
CMS Author/Date in-text formatting rules are as follows:
A space, not a comma, should separate the author's name and the year of
publication.
Page numbers are included only when part of a source or a direct quotation is cited.
Abbreviations ("p." or "pp.") are not required.
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Footnotes and endnotes are used only when there is a need to provide further
information about a particular idea or when specific copyright permission needs to
be documented.
Specific rules depend on whether part or all of a source is being cited as well as whether
or not the author's name is mentioned in the sentence where the citation occurs.
Examples of In-Text Formatting Rules
Citing an Entire Source
When citing an entire work, document the last name of the author and the year of
publication. No page numbers are necessary. The citation format will vary according to
whether the author's name is mentioned in the sentence being cited.
1. Citing an Entire Source: Author Name Not Included in Preceding Sentence
Format: Cite both the last name of the author and the publication date. The citation is
placed in parentheses directly following the information being cited. When the citation
falls at the end of the sentence, the parenthetical note precedes the end punctuation
(period). There is a space, not a comma, between the author's name and the date.
Example:
In a recent study of sustainable management techniques (Myers 1997)...
2. Citing an Entire Source: Author Name Included in Preceding Sentence
Format: When the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, you may omit this name
from the parentheses to avoid redundancy, using only the date. The date (in
parentheses) should follow the author's name. In cases where the source itself is being
cited rather than the author, the parentheses around the date may be omitted.
Example One:
Myers (1997) compared sustainable management techniques...
Example Two:
In Myers 1997, sustainable management techniques are compared to more conventional
practices.
Citing Part of a Source
When citing a specific part of a source, document the last name of the author, the year of
publication and the page numbers (or chapter, section, line numbers, etc.) where the
cited material may be found.
3. Citing Part of a Source
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Format: When the citation falls at the end of the sentence, the parenthetical note
precedes the end punctuation (period). One space separates the author's name from the
date, and one comma separates the date from the page number (or chapter, etc.). Page
abbreviations like "p." or "pp." are used only when their absence is likely to cause
confusion. Abbreviations such as sec. (section), fig. (figure), app. (appendix), etc., should
be used, however.
Example:
Because of the underdevelopment of the racial theme, Bright Skin was said to have
"failed to feed the growing appetite for anti-establishment tracts while at the same time
offering no new insights into the nature of Blue Brook Plantation" (Landess 1976, 121).
Examples of Variations to In-Text Formatting Rules
1. Citing Sources with No Date
Format: When you cite a source that has no date given, include in parentheses the name
of the author and the abbreviation "n.d." ("no date").
Example:
This has occurred in previous experiments (Phelps & Gomez, n.d.).
2. Citing Sources with Unnamed, Uncertain or Anonymous Authors
Format: When a source has no author, cite in parentheses the first few words of the title
and the year of publication, separated by one space. These first few words correspond
with the reference list entry beginning with the same title. Avoid using "Anonymous".
When the author's name is known but does not appear on the title page place it in
[brackets] within the parenthesis. When the author's name is uncertain, indicate so with
a question mark inside the [brackets?].
Example One:
The majority of researchers on the disorder agree on this point (Examining bipolar
disorder 1994).
Example Two:
The majority of researchers on the disorder agree on this point ([Schmoe?] 1994).
3. Citing Electronic (Web site or Internet) Sources
Format: An electronic source is cited like any other source when the entire source is
cited: Author's Last Name and Date of Publication are mentioned. However, in cases
where specific parts of the electronic source are cited, documentation of the particular
paragraph number or section heading where the cited material may be found is
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paragraph number or section heading where the cited material may be found is
recommended.
Example:
It has been argued that chemical castration has been used "indiscriminately" (Turk 1997,
paragraph 2).
4. Citing Authors with Same Last Name in References List
Format: Include first name initials of all in-text cited authors when other authors in your
References List have the same last name.
Example:
K.K. Sullivan (1962) and D. Sullivan (1996) came to similar conclusions about the effects
of this treatment method.
5. Citing Sources Not Included in the References List
Format: Unpublished manuscripts, letters and newspaper articles, etc. may be cited
within the in-text parenthetical citation or in the actual text itself.
Example One:
Paul Nesbitt (telephone interview, 19 August 1998) expressed his dissatisfaction with the
proposed plan.
Example Two:
In a letter dated 12 August 1998, Nesbitt indicated to his daughter that a new plan was
being presented to the County Commissioners.
6. Citing Sources with More than One Author
Format, Sources with Two or Three Authors: Mention all names in the parenthesis.
Do not use an ampersand (&) for "and" between names.
Example:
One study (Zoerner and Stephens 1994) is particularly notable.
One study (Zoerner, Smith, and Stephens 1994) is particularly notable.
Format, Sources with More than Three Authors: Name only the first author followed
by the words "et al." (Latin for "and others"). When two references with multiple authors
shorten to the same "et al.", include as many names, separated by commas, as
necessary to distinguish between the two references.
Example One:
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One study (Myracle et al. 1998) determined that...
Example Two:
Edmands, Wardrop, Thomas, et al. (1992) found...
Edmands, Wardrop, Reid, et al. (1992) argue that...
Note: An alternative would be to include a shortened title following the "Author et al.", in
every instance of the same "Author et al." occurring.
Example:
(Nesbitt et al., Neighborhood associations, 1998)
(Nesbitt et al., Zoning laws, 1998)
7. Citing Sources Authored by a Group
Format: The names of group authors may be mentioned in full in every citation, or they
may be shortened in all citations subsequent to the first, however they must
unequivocally point to the correct References List entry.
Example:
Where the References List entry looks like:
Bas Bleu Theatre Company. 1998. 1998 NEA Grant Application for…
The first in-text citation will look like:
The grant proposal (Bas Bleu Theatre Company [BBTC] 1998) was an important effort to
support the arts in the community.
And a subsequent in-text citation will look like:
The proposal requested new and increased salaries for theatre staff (BBTC 1998).
8. Citing Two or More Sources in the Same Parenthesis
Format, Two or More Sources by Same Author: When you are citing two or more
works by the same author in one parenthetical note, list the name of the author only
once, followed by the publication dates of the various works in order of year of
publication.
Example:
Psychologists have arrived at this conclusion in the past (Tripp, 1987, 1994, 1995).
Format, Two or More Sources Published by Same Author in Same Year: When, in
one parenthetical note, you are citing two or more works by the same author published in
the same year, be sure to distinguish between the two by assigning them letter suffixes
("a," "b," etc.). These designations will be consistent with those you have given the works
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("a," "b," etc.). These designations will be consistent with those you have given the works
in the reference list.
Example:
Past research (Johnson 1983a, 1983b) has revealed interesting patterns.
Format, Two or More Sources by Different Authors: When you refer to works by
different authors within the same parenthetical note, separate them by using semicolons.
Example:
Several studies (Evens 1992; Dorer 1994; Bundy 1996) have contributed to our current
understanding of this phenomenon.
Citing Sources at the End of Your Document
The end documentation in the CMS Author/Date system is the References List page. It is
located at the end of a document or book and contains all the bibliographic information
needed to find out more about cited source material.
This list is a selective bibliography and does not include a full accounting of sources
related to or consulted before you began writing your document, but only those actually
cited.
Proper CMS documentation depends on the References List. Without it the in-text
numbers would make little sense as they would no longer be pointing at any
corresponding entries in the end documentation.
CMS Reference List Formatting Rules
CMS References List formatting rules call for the end documentation to begin on a
new page at the end of your document and be numbered accordingly. If your document
is 6½ pages long, the Notes page should begin on page 8.
Note: Unless informed otherwise, you can count on your instructor not counting the
References List page in the total page count of an eight page assignment.
The page itself should be formatted in the following way:
The title-References List-should be centered one inch from the top of the page. This
may also be called a Literature Cited or Works Cited page.
Double space between the title and first entry; all subsequent entries should be
single spaced.
Arrange entries alphabetically, according to author, last names first.
Individual entries should be formatted in the following way:
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The first line of each entry should be flush-left while any subsequent lines are
indented five spaces.
The date of publication follows directly after the author's name. First names are
often, though not always, abbreviated.
Use the "down" or "sentence style" for titles and subtitles, capitalizing only the first
letter of the first word, as well as any proper nouns and adjectives that are included.
CMS Directory of Reference List Formatting Rules
Books and Book Parts
Journals, Magazines and Newspapers
Dissertations and Theses
Unpublished Manuscripts and Papers
Interviews, Letters and Personal Communications
Electronic Sources
Internet Sources
Audio and Video Recordings
Legal Materials
Publications of Congress
Presidential Documents
Government Documents and Publications
Book and Book Parts
1. Book with Unknown Authors
References List Format:
Book Title-in italics. Year of Publication. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Washington Post guide to Washington. 1989. New York: McGraw-Hill.
2. Book with Group or Corporate Author
References List Format:
Group or Corporate Author. Year of Publication. Book Title-in italics. Place of Publication:
Name of Publisher.
Example:
Time-Life Books. 1987. The age of god kings: Time frame-3000-1500 B.C. Alexandria, VA: Little,
Time-Life Education.
3. Book with One Author
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References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Book Title-in italics. Place of Publication:
Name of Publisher.
Example:
Takaki, R. 1993. A different mirror: A history of multicultural America. Boston: Little, Brown and
Company.
4. Book with Two Authors
Note: Names must always appear in the same order as found on the Title page of the
work being cited.
References List Format:
First Author-Last Name first. Next Author-First Name or initials first. Year of Publication.
Book Title-in italics. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Schor, Ira, and Paulo Freire. 1987. A pedagogy for liberation: Dialogues on transforming
education. New York: Bergin and Garvey.
5. Book with Three Authors
Note: Names must always appear in the same order, separated by commas, as found on
the Title page of the work being cited.
References List Format:
First Author-Last Name first. Next Author(s)-First Names or initials first. Year of
Publication. Book Title-in italics. Number ed.-when applicable. Place of Publication: Name
of Publisher.
Example:
Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu. 2003. The Business Writer's Handbook.
7th ed. Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
6. Book with Four or More Authors
Note: Names must always appear in the same order as found on the Title page of the
work being cited. Use the last name first rule for the first author and the first name first
rule for all other authors. Separate names with commas.
References List Format:
First Author-Last Name first. Next Author(s)- Initials or First Names first. Year of
Publication. Book Title-in italics. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
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Example:
Roark, J. L., M. Johnson, P. Cohen, S. Stage, A. Lawson, and S. Hartmann. 1998. The American
promise. Boston: Bedford.
7. Book with Author & Editor(s) or Translator(s)
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Book Title-in italics. Edited or Translated
by-First Name(s) first. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Heidegger, M. 1971. On the way to language. Translated by Peter D. Hertz. San Francisco: Harper
Collins, HarperSanFrancisco.
8. Edited Book/Anthology/Collection
References List Format:
First Editor or Translator-First Name first. Next Editor(s) or Translator(s)-Initials or First
Names first, ed. or trans. Year of Publication. Book Title-in italics. Place of Publication:
Name of Publisher,
Example:
Buffington, N., M. Diogenes, and C. Moneyhun, eds. 1997. Living languages: Contexts for reading
and writing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Blair Press.
9. Chapter or Selection in Book/Anthology/Collection
References List Format:
Chapter Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Chapter Title-No quotation marks-No
italics. In Book or Anthology Title-in italics, edited by Editor(s) First Names or Initials
first. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
McPhee, John. 2003. The Search for Marvin Gardens. In The next American essay, edited by J.
D'Agata. St. Paul, MN: Graywolf Press
10. Chapter in an Unedited Book
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Chapter Title-No quotation marks-No italics.
Chap. Number-if applicable. In Book Title-in italics. Place of Publication: Name of
Publisher.
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Example:
Williams, Susan Millar. 1997. Cross Purposes. Chap. 6 in A devil and a good woman, too: The
lives of Julia Peterkin. Athens and London: Univ. of Georgia Press,
11. Book Editions (Second, Third, etc.)
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Book Title-in italics, Numbered ed. or rev. ed.
Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Reid, Stephen. 1998. The Prentice Hall guide for college writers. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
12. Reprinted (Republished) Books
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. [Original Publication Year] Year of New Publication. Book Title-in
italics. Reprint, Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Parsons, Elsie Clews. [1923] 1969. Folk-Lore of the Sea Islands, South Carolina. Reprint, Chicago:
Afro-Am Press.
13. Sacred Books
Note: Citations of sacred books such as the Christian Bible, Islam's Holy Qur'an and the
Hebrew Torah generally occur only in the in-text citation and are not included in the
References List. Please refer to the CMS Notes Examples of In-Text Formatting Rules for
more information.
14. Untitled Book in a Multivolume Work
References List Format:
First Author-Last Name first. Other Authors-First Name first. Year of Publication. Vol.
Number. Multivolume Work Title. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Faragher, John M., Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Czitrom, and Susan H. Armitage. 1994. Out of many: A
history of the American people. Vol. 1. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice,
Note: In cases where all volumes are used, substitute the total number of volumes in
place of Vol. 1. after the title.
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Faragher, John M., Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Czitrom, and Susan H. Armitage. 1994. Out of many: A
history of the American people. 2 vols. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice,
15. Titled Book in a Multivolume Work
References List Format:
First Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Volume Book Title-in italics. Vol. Number
of Multivolume Work Title-in Italics. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Louis A. Garavaglia and Charles G. Worman. 1998. Firearms of the American west, 1803 - 1865.
Vol. 1 of Firearms of the American west. Niwot, CO: Univ. Press of Colorado.
16. Book in a Series
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Book Title-in italics. Name of Book Series.
Editor-if applicable, vol. Number-if applicable. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Levine, Michael. 1996. African Americans and civil rights: from 1619 to the present. Social Issues
in American History Series. Phoenix, AZ: Orynx Press.
17. Book Without Publication Information
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first, Book Title-in italics. N.p., n.d
Example:
Biv, Roy G. On learning the color spectrum. N.p., n.d.
18. Book Introduction, Preface, Forward or Afterword
References List Format:
Introduction Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Introduction to Book Title-in
italics, by Book Author-First Name first. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Example:
Lodge, David. 1971. Introduction to Emma, by Jane Austen. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.
Journals, Magazines and Newspapers
1. Journal Article with Consecutive Pagination
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1. Journal Article with Consecutive Pagination
Note: Consecutive Pagination means that each new issue of a Journal begins with the
page number that follows the last page number in the previous issue. In other words, the
page numbers run consecutively from issue to issue.
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Article Title. Journal Title-in italics Volume
Number Issue Number-if available: Article Page Number(s).
Brown, Sterling. 1934. Arcadia, South Carolina. Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life 12:59-60.
2. Journal Article with Non-Consecutive Pagination
Note: Non-Consecutive Pagination means that each new issue of a Journal begins with
page 1 and not with the number that follows the last page number in the previous issue,
as is the case with consecutive pagination.
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Article Title. Journal Title-in italics. Volume
Number, Issue Number: Article Page Number(s).
Clifford, James. 1983. On Ethnographic Authority. Representations 1, no. 2:118-46.
3. Weekly Magazine Article
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication, Article Title. Magazine Title-in italics, Day
Month of Publication, Article Page Numbers.
Axthelm, Pete. 1989. Up front: America's first poet laureate, Robert Penn Warren, was a wise and
eloquent son of the south. People Weekly, 2 October, 45-48.
4. Monthly (Seasonal) Magazine Article
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Article Title. Magazine Title-in italics, Month,
Page Numbers.
Lemley, Brad. 1995. The underground architect. New Age January/February, 10-15.
5. Magazine Article with Volume and Issue Numbers
Note: When no author by-line exists, begin with the Article Title and proceed as shown
above. This case also illustrates a magazine with a volume number but not an issue
number.
References List Format:
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References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Article Title. Magazine Title-in italics, Volume
Number and or Issue: Page Number(s) when citing specific portions or quoted passages.
A passing race. 1929. Canadian Magazine, 71:34.
6. Newspaper Article
Note: In most cases, newspaper articles are cited in running text and are not included in
the References List; however, when you do, follow the example below. When no author
by-line exists, begin with the Article Title rather than the author's name.
References List Format:
By-line Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Article Title. Newspaper Title- in
italics, Day Month, Edition when applicable.-no page numbers.
Eckert, Fred J. 1997. An Island of Black Culture. Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2 February.
Note: When not part of the newspaper title, include name of American city, in italics,
along with the rest of the title, as shown here:
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Note: When city name is not well known, or there is more than one city in America with
the same name, include the state abbreviation, in parenthesis and not italicized, as
shown here:
Ashtabula, (OH) Star-Beacon
Note: Follow the title of foreign newspapers with its hometown name, in parenthesis and
not italicized, as shown here:
Sunday Times (London)
7. Book Review (Magazine or Newspaper)
References List Format:
Review Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Review of Book Title-in italics, by
Book Author-First Name first. Publication Title-in italics, Day Month, Page Number(s).
Chamberlain, John. 1932. Review of Bright skin, by Julia Peterkin. New York Times, 10 April, 7.
8. Stage/Theatre Review (Magazine or Newspaper)
References List Format:
Review Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Review Title. Review of Stage Piece
Title-in italics, by Playwright-First Name first. Theatre Company Name, Location.
Publication Title-in italics, Day Month: Page Number(s) and Section Designation.
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Monji, Jana J. 1998. Brief pokes fun at barristers' profession. Review of Dock brief, by John
Mortimer. Fremont Centre Theatre, South Pasadena, CA. Los Angeles Times, 31 January, Home
Edition, Calendar, 10.
9. Movie Review (Magazine or Newspaper)
References List Format:
Review Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Review Title. Review of Movie Title-in
italics (Production Company Name)-in parenthesis, Publication Title-in italics, Day Month:
Page Number(s) and Section Designation.
Garner, Jack. 1998. Private life is an open book in Enemy of the State. Review of Enemy of the
State (Touchstone Pictures movie). Fort Collins Coloradoan, 20 November, Ticket Section 7.
10. Music/Concert Review (Magazine or Newspaper)
References List Format:
Review Author-First Name first. Year of Publication. Review Title. Review of concert
performance of Concert Title-in italics, by Name of composer-First Name first,
Perfomance Location, Performance Company. Publication Title-in italics, Day Month: Page
Number(s) and Section Designation.
Swed, Mark. 1998. Bartok Quartet honors its namesake. Review of concert performance of The 6
String Quartets, by Bela Bartok, Schoenberg Hall (UCLA), Bartok Quartet. Los Angeles Times,
Home Edition, 27 February, 20.
Dissertations and Theses
1. Published Dissertation or Thesis
Note: Include the phrase, "Ph.D. diss." or "Master's thesis" before the name of the
degree granting institution.
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year Granted/Published. Dissertation Title. Ph.D. diss., Degree
Granting Institution. Institution Location: Dissertations Abstracts International
information-if appropriate.
Lavely, Marcia Marvin. 1991. A Study of American Literature which Incorporates the Use of the
Gullah Dialect (Sea Islands). Ph.D. diss., University of Mississippi.
2. Unpublished Dissertation or Thesis
Note: Include the phrase, "Ph.D. diss." or "Master's thesis" before the name of the
degree granting institution.
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References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year Granted. Thesis Title. Master's thesis, Degree Granting
Institution.
Hughey, Annie Catherine. 1933. The Treatment of the Negro in South Carolina Fiction. Master's
thesis, University of South Carolina.
3. Abstract of Dissertation or Thesis
Note: Format like a Journal Article. Include the phrase, "Ph.D. diss." or "Master's thesis"
before the name of the degree granting institution.
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Date of Publication. Dissertation Title. Ph.D. diss., Degree
Granting Institution, Year Granted. Abstract in Dissertation Abstracts International
Volume Number: Page Number(s).
Lavely, Marcia Marvin. 1992. A Study of American Literature which Incorporates the Use of the
Gullah Dialect (Sea Islands). Ph.D. diss., University of Mississippi, 1991. Abstract in Dissertation
Abstracts International 53:1501A.
Unpublished Manuscripts and Papers
1. Unpublished Document in a Manuscript Collection
References List Format:
Document Author-Last Name first. Document Date-when available. Description of
Document including Collection Name. Depository Name, Depository Location.
Peterkin, Julia. 1930. Letter to George Shively dated 18 October. Bobbs-Merrill Papers. Lilly
Library, Indiana University, Bloomington.
2. Unpublished Papers Read at Meetings
Note: Papers appearing in the Published Proceedings of Meetings may be formatted in
the same manner as a book.
References List Format:
Author-Last Name first. Year Paper Read. Paper Title. Paper presented at Meeting Name,
Location, Day and Month.
Montgomery, M. Lorenzo. 1985. Dow Turner's early work on Gullah. Paper read at 9th Annual
Symposium on Language and Culture, Columbia, SC, 27 April.
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Interviews, Letters and Personal Communications
1. Published Interviews
Note: Consult The Chicago Manual of Style to format interviews appearing in other print
and non-print mediums.
References List Format:
Interview Subject-Last Name first. Year. Interview Title. Interviewed by-First Name first,
Publication Title-in italics, Month and: Page Number(s).
Bullard, Dr. Robert. 1998. Dr. Robert Bullard: Some People Don't Have the Complexion for...,
interviewed by Jim Motavelli, E Magazine, 10-13 July/August.
2. Unpublished Interviews
References List Format:
Interview Subject-Last Name first. Year. Interview by-First Name first. Type of interview.
Interview Location, Day Month.
Neuhoff, Christine S. 1998. Interview by author, tape recording. Fort Collins, CO, 29 Sept.
3. Unpublished Letters, Phone & Personal Communications
References List Format:
Unpublished letters (and any other such forms of personal communications) are generally
unavailable for public consumption and are normally cited in the running text of your
document, however, when they may be included in the References List like so:
Nesbitt, Sandra. 1995. Letter to the author, 25 March.
Or
Nesbitt, Sandra. 1995. Telephone conversation with the author, 25 March.
Electronic Sources
1. Portable Sources (CD-ROM's, Diskettes, Magnetic Tapes, etc.)
Note: Unlike online sources which exist on a computer service or network and are
subject to continual revision, portable electronic sources are published and released at
fixed points in time. Generally, these types of citations are done in running text within the
document; however, they can be included in the References List. The following example
is for a non-periodical portable source. The format for a periodical source is slightly
different.
References List Format:
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Author or Editor-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Title-in italics if book title. Volume,
edition, etc.-if appropriate. [Medium]. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Sheehy, Donald, ed. 1997. Robert Frost: Poems, life, legacy. [CD-ROM]. New York: Holt.
2. Computer Programs and Software
References List Format:
Program/Software Name: Identifying Version, level or release number and date-if
available. Abbreviated Program/Software Name.-if applicable. Organization or Individual
holding Property Rights, Location.
Electronic Supplements for Real Writing: 1. Interactive Writing Software Ver. 1. Bedford, Boston.
Internet Sources
1. Online Computer Services
References List Format:
Author or Editor-Last Name first. Title-in italics if book title. Print Publication Information.
Online Publication Information including Computer Service Name and Accession Number.
Note the Italics.
Note: The following source was obtained through the computer service "Dialog."
Wever, Katharine. 1998. In a painting, Gershwin packed the house. New York Times 30 August,
late ed.: sec. 2, p. 30. Dialog, New York Times Fulltext 03819774.
2. Online Documents
References List Format:
Author or Editor-Last Name first. Year. Title-in italics if book title. [Source Type]. Place of
Publication: Name of Publisher. Accessed Day Month Year. Available from Source Name:
URL link. Medium.
Bierce, Ambrose. 1993. Can such things be true? [book online]. New York: Johnathan Cape and
Harrison Smith. Accessed 28 September 1998. Available from
gopher://wiretap.spies.com:70/00/Library/Classic/cansuch.txt. Internet.
3. Online Databases
References List Format:
Author or Editor-Last Name first. Title-in italics if book title. In Database Name [database
online]. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher, Publication Date [update and access
dates-Day Month Year]. Accession Number-or other necessary access information
Number of Screens. Available from Source Name, Location.
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Number of Screens. Available from Source Name, Location.
Note: The following source was obtained through the computer service "Dialog."
Abbott announces first treatment for AIDS-related infection. 1993. In Businesswire [database
online]. Abbott Park, Ill.: Business Wire, 1986- [updated 28 December 1993; cited 20 November
1998]. Accession no. 0376540, NO=BW6540. 1 screen. Available from DIALOG Information
Services, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.
Audio and Video Recordings
1. Musical Recordings
Note: The elements in the following format (particularly composer and director) may be
rearranged to suit your particular purposes. See Chicago Manual of Style for more
examples.
References List Format:
Composer-Last Name first. Composition Title-in italics. (Editing Information when
available)-in parenthesis. Orchestra Name. Conductor Name. Recording Company-when
available. Medium Recording Number.
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. Requiem Mass, K626. (Edited by Franz Beyer) Academy and Chorus
of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Neville Mariner. London compact disk 417 746-2.
2. Dramatic Performance Recordings
References List Format:
Playwright-Last Name first. Recording Title-in italics. Directed by name, performed by
performance artist names-First Names first. Recording Company Recording Number,
Medium
Shakespeare, William. Othello. Directed by Howerd Sackler. Performed by Frank Silvera, Celia
Johnson, Cyril Cusack, Anna Massey, and others. Caedmon CDG 225. Audiotape.
3. Poetry and Prose Recordings
References List Format:
Poet or Prose Writer-Last Name first. Recording Title-in italics. Read by author or reader
name-First Name first. Recording Company Recording Number. Medium.
Eliot, T.S. Poems and Choruses. Read by author. Caedmon TC1045. Record album.
4. Lecture Recordings
References List Format:
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Lecture Recorder-Last Name first. Year. Recording Title-in italics. Description of Lecture
presented by lecturer name-First Name first at Institution Name, Location, Month and
Year of Lecture. Publication Information-if applicable.
Nesbitt, L.M. 1995. Censorship. Audiotape of a lecture presented by Louann Reid at Colorado State
University. Fort Collins, CO, October 1995.
5. Slides
Note: The variety of visual and audiovisual materials now used by writers makes general
formatting rules impossible. In theses cases a description of the material, the name of the
individual responsible for the material, and the information necessary to retrieve it should
be included.
References List Format:
Slide Show Producer-Last Name first. Year. Slide Show Title-in italics. Place of Production:
Production Company Name. Slides.
Nesbitt, John. 1991. Europe by train. Knoxville, TN: Fabricated Production Company. Slides.
6. Films
Note: The variety of visual and audiovisual materials now used by writers makes general
formatting rules impossible. In theses cases a description of the material, the name of the
individual responsible for the material, and the information necessary to retrieve it should
be included.
References List Format:
Film Title-in italics. Year. Media format, film length. Place of Production: Production
Company Name.
The feast. 1970. 16 mm, 29 min. Springfield, VA: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
7. Videocassettes
Note: The variety of visual and audiovisual materials now used by writers makes general
formatting rules impossible. In theses cases a description of the material, the name of the
individual responsible for the material, and the information necessary to retrieve it should
be included.
References List Format:
Videocassette Title-in italics. Year. Directed by-First Name first. Videocassette length.
Production Company Name. Videocassette.
Sam Shepherd: Fool for love. 1985. Directed by Robert Altman. 108 min. MGM. Videocassette.
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Legal Materials
1. State and Federal Court Cases/Decisions
Note: State and federal court cases and decisions are normally cited in the running text
of a document as in the example below. The Chicago Manual of Style provides no
guidance for a References List entry.
Format:
In the 1923 case, Meyer v. State of Nebraska (262 U.S. 390), the Court handed down a decision that...
2. State and Federal Constitutions
Note: State and federal constitutions are normally cited in the running text of a
document as in the example below
Format:
State or Country Name. Article or Amendment Number. Subdivision Number
In the Wisconsin Constitution, art. 9, sec. 1...
Publications of Congress
1. Congressional Record/General Citation
References List Format:
Congressional Record-in italics. Year. Number of Congress-abbreviated, Number of
Session-abbreviated. Vol. Number-numeral only, pt. number:-abbreviated pt.: Page
Number(s)-if appropriate.
Congressional Record. 1995. 104th Cong., 1st sess. Vol. 141, pt. 26.
2. Congressional Record/Speaker Citation
References List Format:
Speaker Name-Last Name first. Year. Description of Remarks. Resolution Number-if
appropriate. Number of Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated,
Congressional Record-abbreviated in italics, Day Month, vol. number, pt. number: Page
Number(s)-if appropriate.
Kennedy, Edward. 1995. Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts reintroducing the Equal Remedies
Act. 104th Cong., 1st sess. Cong. Rec., 30 Jan., vol. 141, pt. 10.
3. Congressional Records and Documents
References List Format:
Congressional Body or Committee Name. Year. Report or Document Title-in italics.
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Congressional Body or Committee Name. Year. Report or Document Title-in italics.
Number of Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated,. Document Number.
Serial Number-if available.
U.S. Congress. 1982. South Dakota Water Resource Development. 97th Cong., 2d sess. S. Doc.
514. Serial 13452.
4. Congressional Journals
References List Format:
Congressional Body Name. Journal Name-in italics. Year. Number of
Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated, Day Month Year.
U.S. Congress. Senate Journal. 1996. 104th Cong., 2d sess., 20 February.
Or
U.S. Senate Journal. 1996. 104th Cong., 2d sess., 20 February.
5. Congressional Hearings
References List Format:
Congressional Body Name. Year. Committee Name. Hearing Title-in italics. Number of
Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated, Day Month.
U.S. Senate. 1990. Committee on Foreign Relations. U.S. Policy in the Persian Gulf: Hearings
before the Committee on Foreign Relations. 101st Cong., 2d sess. 4-5 December.
6. Congressional Committee Prints
References List Format:
Congressional Body Name. Year. Committee Name. Report Title-in italics. Report
prepared by name of agency department person(s), Number of Congress-abbreviated,
Number of Session-abbreviated, Committee Print Number.
U.S. Senate. 1973. Committee on Public Works. Effects and methods of control of thermal
discharges. Report prepared by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. 93rd
Cong., 1st sess. Committee Print 14.
7. Congressional Bills and Resolutions
Note: Congressional bills and resolutions are normally cited in the running text of a
document, however, when included in the References List, follow the example below.
References List Format:
Congressional Body Name. Year. Bill or Resolution Title-in italics. Number of
Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated, Bill or Resolution Number.
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Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated, Bill or Resolution Number.
Congressional Record-in italics, record information-if applicable.
U.S. House. 1995. Interstate Child Support Enforcement Act. 104th Cong., 1st sess., H.R. 195.
Congressional Record, 241, no. 4, daily ed. (9 January): H168.
8. Laws and Statutes Published as Slip Laws
References List Format:
Name of Law-when available and in italics. U.S. Public Law Numbers. Number of
Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated, Day Month Year.
U.S. Public Law 105-258. 105th Cong., 2d sess., 14 October 1998.
9. Laws and Statures Collected in Statutes at Large
References List Format:
U.S. Statutes at Large-in italics. Year. Vol. Number: Page Number(s). Name of Law-when
available and in italics.
U.S. Statutes at Large. 1888. Vol. 25, p. 476.
10. Laws and Statutes Incorporated Into the U.S. Code
References List Format:
Law, Statute or Act Title-in italics. U.S. Code-in italics. Vol. Number, sec. Number.
Farm Credit Act. 1959. U.S. Code Annotated. Vol. 42, sec. 410.
Presidential Documents
1. Proclamations and Executive Orders
References List Format:
President. Year. Proclamation or Executive Order. Proclamation or Executive Order Title.
Federal Register-in italics Number, Issue Number (Day Month):-in parenthesis: Page
Number(s). Medium-if applicable.
President. 1954. Proclamation. Display of the flag of the United States of America at half-staff upon
the death of certain officials and former officials. Federal Register 19, no. 3 (1 March): 1235.
Microfiche.
2. Messages and Papers of the Presidents
References List Format:
Document Title-in italics. Number of Congress-abbreviated, Number of
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Document Title-in italics. Number of Congress-abbreviated, Number of
Session-abbreviated. In Compilation of the messages and papers of the presidents,
1789-1897-in italics . Edited by Name of Editor-First Name First. Vol. Number.
Washington, D.C.: GPO, Year of Publication.
3. Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States
References List Format:
President-Last Name first. Year. Public papers of the presidents of the United States:
President-First Name first, Term in Office. Vol. Number. Washington, D.C.: GPO, Year of
Publication-no parenthesis.
Carter, Jimmy. 1981. Public papers of the presidents of the United States: Jimmy Carter, 1980-81.
Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: GPO.
Government Documents and Publications
1. Executive Department Publications
References List Format:
Issuing Departmental Body. Year. Document Title-in italics. Washington, D.C.: GPO,
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit and Rural Development of
the Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives. 1991. Attorney-client privilege and
the right of congressional access to documents for oversight purposes in the case of the
suspension of the telephone loan programs by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Washington,
D.C.: GPO.
2. Government Commission Publications
References List Format:
Commission Name. Year. Publication Title-in italics. Washington, D.C.: GPO.
U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 1977/78. Annual report of the U.S. Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission. Washington, D.C.: GPO.
3. Treaties
References List Format:
Department or Issuing Body. Year of Treaty. Treaty Title. Day Month of Treaty. TIAS
Number. Publication Name-in italics. Vol. Number, Part Number-if text instead of
microform.
U.S. Department of State. 1989. Tourism. 3 October. TIAS no. 12403. United States treaties and
other international agreements.
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4. Administrative and Legislative Reports
References List Format:
Name of Issuing Body. Year. Report Title-in italics. Place.
Colorado General Assembly, Colorado Commission on Higher Education. 1996. 1996 Legislative
report on higher education admission standards. Denver.
5. State Laws and Municipal Ordinances
Note: State laws or municipal ordinances are normally cited in the running text, although
compilations of state laws (codes) or municipal ordinances may be cited in the References
List.
References List Format:
State or Municipal Name, Year. State Laws or Municipal Compilation Title-in italics. (Editor
Name)-in parenthesis.
Colorado. 1974. Revised Statutes, Annotated (Michie Co.).
Examples of How to Arrange Reference List Entries
1. Unknown, Uncertain or Anonymous Authors
Note: Organize alphabetically and avoid using "Anonymous". When a work is of unknown
origin, use the first word of its title, excluding definite or indefinite articles which may be
transposed to the end of the title.
When the author's name is known but does not appear on the title page place it before
the title as you would normally, but in [brackets]. When the author's name is uncertain,
indicate so with a question mark inside the [brackets?].
Example
Parsons, Elsie Clews. [1923] 1969. Folk-lore of the Sea Islands, South Carolina. Reprint, Chicago:
Afro-Am Press.
Passing Race, A. 1929. Canadian Magazine.
Peterkin, Julia. 1927. Black April. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Co.
[Joe Schmoe?]. Passing Race, A, 1929. Canadian Magazine.
2. Author of One Work is First Co-Author of Another
Note: Single author works always precede co-authored works.
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Shor, Ira. 1986. Culture wars: School and society in the conservative restoration, 1969-1982. Boston:
Routledge and K. Paul.
Shor, Ira. and Paul Friere. 1987. A pedagogy of liberation: Dialogues on transforming education. New
York: Bergin and Garvey.
3. Multiple Works by Same Author: Using "three em" (---) Dashes
The three-em dash serves the same purpose as "ditto" marks. When an author appears
consecutively, associated with different titles, a three-em dash (---) may replace the
name after the first entry.
Each work is then organized in chronological order, by publication date. In the event of
two works being published in the same year, add a lowercase letter following the date and
alphabetize the entries by title.
Nesbitt, P.B. 1998a. Zoning laws and neighborhood crises. Knoxville, TN: Wachese Press.
---. 1998b. The role of neighborhood associations in urban development battles. Knoxville, TN:
Wachese Press.
Additional CMS Author/Date Resources
Printed Resources:
University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers,
Editors, and Publishers. 14th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993.
University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers,
Editors, and Publishers. 15th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.
Turabian, K. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996.
Electronic Resources:
The official Chicago Manual of Style website, updated regularly, is the comprehensive
guide to all things CMS: the organization, its journals, products and services.
Citation Information
Peter Connor, Heidi Scott, and Laurel Nesbitt.. (1994 - 2012). Citation Guide:
Chicago Manual of Style (Author/Date System). Writing@CSU. Colorado State
University. Available at
https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=10.
Copyright Information
Copyright © 1994-2017 Colorado State University and/or this site's authors, developers,
Writing@CSU: https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=10
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and contributors. Some material displayed on this site is used with permission.
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