Citing sources is an essential aspect of academic writing, allowing authors to credit the original creators of ideas, research, and quotes while also providing readers with a roadmap to explore further. The Turabian citation style, named after Kate Turabian, is a widely used variant of the Chicago Manual of Style, particularly favored in the humanities and social sciences. This article aims to demystify the process of citing sources in Turabian style, making it easier for writers to adhere to this citation system.
The Turabian style offers two primary citation methods: notes-bibliography and author-date. The notes-bibliography system is more commonly used in the humanities, where sources are cited in footnotes or endnotes, and a bibliography provides a comprehensive list of references. On the other hand, the author-date system, often used in the social sciences, incorporates the author's last name and publication year in parentheses in the text, with a corresponding reference list at the end.
Understanding the Basics of Turabian Citation
The foundation of Turabian citation lies in its detailed guidelines for citing various sources, including books, articles, websites, and more. Each source type has its unique citation format, which can be found in the Turabian Manual or online resources. For instance, a book citation in the notes-bibliography system includes the author's name, book title, city of publication, publisher, and year of publication.
Citing Books in Turabian Style
When citing a book in Turabian style, the following elements are essential: author's name, title of the book, publication city, publisher, and publication year. For example, a footnote might look like this: 1. Jane Doe, The History of Literature (New York: Random House, 2020). In the bibliography, the same source would be listed as: Doe, Jane. The History of Literature. New York: Random House, 2020.
| Source Type | Citation Example |
|---|---|
| Book | Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. City: Publisher, Year. |
| Article | "Article Title," Author's First Name Last Name, Journal Title Volume Number, Issue Number (Year): Page Numbers. |
Key Points
Key Points
- The Turabian citation style is a variant of the Chicago Manual of Style, widely used in humanities and social sciences.
- There are two main citation systems in Turabian: notes-bibliography and author-date.
- Citations must include specific details such as author's name, title, publication city, publisher, and year for books and similar details for other source types.
- Consistency in citation formatting across the document is crucial.
- The Turabian Manual and online resources provide comprehensive guidelines for various source types.
Citing Other Sources
Turabian style also provides guidelines for citing other sources such as articles, websites, and theses. For articles, the citation includes the article title, author's name, journal title, volume and issue numbers, and page numbers. Websites are cited with the author's name (if available), title of the webpage, title of the website, and a URL or DOI if applicable.
Citing Articles and Websites
For articles, a citation might look like: 1. John Smith, "The Impact of Climate Change," Environmental Studies 10, no. 2 (2019): 23-35. In the bibliography: Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change." Environmental Studies 10, no. 2 (2019): 23-35.
Websites are increasingly used as sources in academic writing. A citation for a website might appear as: 1. Emily Johnson, "The Future of Technology," Tech Today, accessed March 10, 2021, https://www.tech-today.com/future-technology. In the bibliography: Johnson, Emily. "The Future of Technology." Tech Today. Accessed March 10, 2021. https://www.tech-today.com/future-technology.
Conclusion
Citing sources in Turabian style, while detailed and sometimes complex, is a manageable task with practice and familiarity with the guidelines. By understanding the basics of the notes-bibliography and author-date systems, and knowing how to cite various source types, writers can ensure their academic work is properly documented and respects the intellectual property of others. Utilizing the Turabian Manual and online resources can further assist in mastering this citation style.
What is the main difference between the notes-bibliography and author-date systems in Turabian style?
+The main difference lies in how sources are cited in the text and listed. The notes-bibliography system uses footnotes or endnotes for citations and a bibliography for the list of references. In contrast, the author-date system uses parentheses in the text with the author’s last name and publication year, along with a reference list.
How do I cite a source with multiple authors in Turabian style?
+For sources with multiple authors, list all authors’ names in the first citation. If there are more than three authors, list the first three authors followed by “and others.” In subsequent citations, use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”
What if I can’t find the publication date for a source?
+If the publication date is not available, use “n.d.” (no date) in place of the year. However, try to find the most accurate information possible, as dates are crucial for understanding the context and relevance of sources.
