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Citing Bibliographic Sources: Chicago: Online Sources

A Popular Style Manual in the Humanities

Introduction

These guidelines for citing online sources are based on the principles presented in the 17th edition of The Manual, which provides examples of how to document online sources such as books (14.159-163), journals (14.175-6) and websites/blogs (14.205-210). The following sample citations are based on the guidelines and examples articulated in the 17th edition.  For simplicity, the examples below are in the bibliography format, unless otherwise noted.

A Few Principles to cite by:

  • Verify the accuracy of citations to online sources as close to the assignment deadline as possible.
  • Content without formal ties to a publisher or sponsoring body has authority equivalent to unpublished or self-published material.
  • Access dates in online citations are of limited value, and should not be included. If an access date is required by a professor, include it parenthetically at the end of the citation.

Books

BOOKS

The point with an e-book citation is to indicate that you did not consult it in hard copy. Online reference works are treated much like print ones. See p. 858-9 for details.

Tillett, Rebecca, and Jacqueline Fear-Segal. Indigenous Bodies: Reviewing, Relocating, Reclaiming. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2013. EBSCO eBook Collection.

Du Bois, W.E.B. Darkwater: Voices from Within the Veil. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Howe, 1920. https://books.google.com/books/about/Darkwater.html?id=OkhLAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

Personal Communication, Electronic Lists, and Informally Published Electronic Material

Personal Communication and Electronic Lists

References to conversations, letters, or e-mail messages received by the author are usually run into the text or listed in the notes. They are rarely included in a bibliography. If the information is archived, add a URL at the end, and an access date, if required by the professor.

     William Jefferson, e-mail message to author, April 20, 2000.

     Glen Sizemore, e-mail posted to sci.psychology.theory news group, April 7, 2004. 

Informally Published Electronic Material

Citations of this nature should be placed in notes. If notes are not used, this information should be placed in the reference list or bibliography. Include as much of the following as can be determined: 

  • author of the content
  • title of the page
  • title or owner of the site
  • stable URL

 

 

 

 

 

Periodicals

PERIODICALS

Always include the digital object identifier (doi) when present, as below. If not available, include a stable URL instead. Otherwise the format is the same as for a hard copy.

Electronic Journal Article:

Todd Knight, Jeffrey. “Needles and Pens: Sewing in Early English Books,” Journal of Medieval & Early Modern Studies, 45, no. 3 (2015): 523-542. doi:10.1215/10829636-3149143.

Online Magazine Article:

Bajekal, Naina. "What Happens When Drugs Aren't Illegal?" Time, November 2, 2015. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110516860&site=ehost-live.

Online Newspapers, News Services, and other News Sites:

United Press International. "Russia's Anti-drug Efforts Irk Physicians." Lexis-Nexis Academic, July 13, 2004. http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/.

Stern, Eric. “Proposed High Speed Rail Line Has Stops in Modesto, Atwater.” Modesto Bee, November 12, 2004. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/ doc/ nb/news/10656887ABCA683B?p=AWNB.

Public Documents

Public Documents

The 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style recommends using one of the two standards predominantly used in legal works.
•    The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (shelved at the Reference Desk)
•    AWLD Guide to Legal Citation: A Professional System of Citation (not available at WIU Libraries)
The Chicago Manual does include some specific government and legal examples, however, beginning on page 875.