Chicago Style In-Text Citations Examples

Explore practical examples of Chicago style in-text citations for your research papers.
By Jamie

Understanding Chicago Style In-Text Citations

Chicago style is a widely used citation format in academic writing. It is essential for maintaining credibility and avoiding plagiarism in research papers. This guide provides three practical examples of Chicago style in-text citations to help you understand how to apply them effectively in your work.

Example 1: Citing a Book

Context

When referencing a specific idea or quote from a book, it is crucial to provide a citation to acknowledge the author’s contribution. This is particularly important in humanities subjects.

In his book, A History of Economic Thought, John Smith argues that economic theories evolve in response to societal changes. This perspective highlights the dynamic nature of economics as a discipline.

Smith notes that “the progression of economic thought is often reflective of the prevailing social conditions” (Smith 2020, 45).

Notes

  • Ensure the author’s name and publication year are included, along with the page number where the quote can be found.
  • If you have already mentioned the author’s name in the text, you can shorten the in-text citation to just the year and page number, e.g., (2020, 45).

Example 2: Citing a Journal Article

Context

Academic journal articles are a common source of information in research papers. When citing them, it’s important to include details that enable readers to find the original work.

In the article “Climate Change and Urban Development,” Maria Garcia discusses the implications of climate change for city planning, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. She states, “Urban areas must adapt to climate realities or face severe consequences” (Garcia 2021, 112).

Notes

  • Include the author’s last name, the publication year, and the page number in parentheses.
  • If you cite the article multiple times in your paper, you may omit the year in subsequent citations, e.g., (Garcia, 112).

Example 3: Citing a Website

Context

With the increasing reliance on digital resources, correctly citing websites is essential for academic integrity. Websites often do not have page numbers, so citations will look slightly different.

According to the World Health Organization, “Vaccination is one of the most effective health interventions for preventing disease” (World Health Organization 2023).

Notes

  • For web sources, include the organization or author’s name and the year of publication. If there is no publication date, use the date you accessed the information.
  • You may also include a URL in your bibliography to direct readers to the source.

By understanding these examples of Chicago style in-text citations, you can enhance the credibility of your research papers and ensure proper attribution of sources.