All academic writing involves some citation formation or the other. There are different citation formats. Each format has a special use based on the subject of the essay. Whatever the citation format chosen, be sure to use the same format throughout the essay. Citation formats serve many purposes. Principally a citation format enables readers, who review your essay to easily locate the sources used, it identifies the ideas and language of others that are a part of the essay and it also shows the extent of research that has gone into writing the essay.

The Chicago citation format may be used in any course of study. However this citation format is normally used in essays pertaining to the humanities, social and natural sciences. It is even used as the default citation format when no specific citation format is mentioned. Even so, in case no specific citation format is mentioned, it is always better to refer to your tutor for guidance. Under the Chicago citation format an academic paper is normally divided into three parts: The front matter, the body that contains the actual essay, and the back which contains the references.

The Chicago citation format has two documentation systems. There is an old system which is principally used in essays relating to history and humanities. This is the “Notes and Bibliography” system. Under this system the bibliography is given in the accompanying notes that may appear in the paper itself or grouped together at the end of the paper. The first line of every note is indented a couple of spaces or a quarter of an inch.

In addition to the notes a bibliography is also given at the end of the essay. This bibliography is a list of all the works that were cited in the essay, as well as the other works that you have referred, but not cited in the paper. When you use the notes- bibliography system, the notes will only give brief information about the works cited. Generally this notes bibliography system is the preferred system, because it makes review that much easier.

The newer system is generally referred to as “Author Date” system. The Author Date system is generally used in essays relating to science and social sciences. This system is simpler than the notes- bibliography system. Under this system in- text citation follows a parenthetical system giving the name of the author and the date of the publication. The bibliography that appears at the end of the essay should give a detailed bibliographic citation. As in the case of the older system, the newer citation format should contain details of all cited works as well as other materials read.

The Chicago citation format requires that the text matter which is the actual essay be typed double-spaced. However quotes from another’s works, bibliography, footnotes, and itemized lists may be single spaced. Reference in the author- date system is a record of references listed alphabetically by author. By this arrangement readers who subsequently review the essay are easily able to link in- text citation and the reference at the end of the work. This system of referencing may be followed even in the notes – bibliography system.