Citation styles, like Chicago notes-biblio, allow for some variation in creating entries for books. You may have noticed that some authors create bibliographies differently for their research articles. Even so, it is still important that you follow the basic format, and you definitely need to be consistent in your entries. The main purpose of creating bibliographic entries is to lead your reader directly to your source. This creates authority and gives credit to the creator of the work.
With that said, all entries in a bibliography consist of the same basic elements in the same order. All bibliographic entries include the author, title and other facts of publication. Of course, some works do not have an author. In this case, simply use the name of the organization that produced it or edited it.
The examples below are for the bibliography entries only. The notes entry varies slightly.
Citing Print Books in Notes-Biblio Style
It’s best to use as many published print sources as possible even if you access them from an online source. You want to prove your research argument by using strong, reliable sources.
Chicago/Turabian recommends including nine elements when creating citations for books in your notes-biblio section. Your source may not have all these elements, but search for them to make sure you are including all required data. As you are creating your preliminary bibliography, gather as much information as possible about each source. It is easier to delete unneeded data than it is to trace your steps back to find it.
The nine elements in Chicago notes-biblio style for citing books are as follows:
- Author or editor
- Title/subtitle
- Editor or translator
- Edition
- Volume
- Series title, volume number
- Publication (city, publisher, date)
- Page number(s)
- URL/DOI
These elements will vary depending on the type of book, where it is located and other factors.
Single Author or Editor
Use the author or editor’s full name. If there is neither of these, use the institution. Write the name as listed in the source. If an author uses their initials rather than a first name, use the initials. For example, list an author like J. D. Salinger by initials: Salinger, J. D.
Example
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher’s Name, Date of Publication.
Burke, Peter. A Social History of Knowledge: From Gutenberg to Diderot. Malden, MA: Polity Press, 2000.
Multiple Authors
When citing sources with multiple authors, list the first author by last name, first name and the remaining author(s) by first name last name.
Example
Author #1’s Last Name, Author #1’s First Name, and Author #2’s First and Last Names. Title of Book: Subtitle of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher’s Name, Date of Publication.
Buchwald, Jed Z., and Mordechai Feingold. Newton and the Origin of Civilization. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2013.
Three Authors
When citing books with three authors, follow a similar pattern as with citing two authors.
Example
Author #1’s Last Name, Author #1’s First Name, Author #2’s First and Last Name, and Author #3’s First and Last Name. Title of Book: Subtitle of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher’s Name, Date of Publication.
Harrison, Charles, Paul Wood, and Jason Gaiger. Art in Theory 1648-1815: An Anthology of Changing Ideas. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2000.
Author With Editor or Translator
If the book has both an author and editor or translator, add “Edited by” or “Translated by” followed by the first and last name.
Example
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle of Book. Edited by Editor’s First and Last Names. Place of Publication: Publisher’s Name, Date of Publication.
The ACS Style Guide: Effective Communication of Scientific Information. 3d ed. Edited by Anne M. Coghill and Lorrin R. Garson. Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society, 2006.
Cassiodorus. An Introduction to Divine and Human Readings. Translated by Leslie Webber Jones. New York: Columbia University Press, 1946.
Edition Number
If the book has an edition number, place a period after the title element, then place the edition number, followed by ed.
Example
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle of Book. Edition Number ed. Place of Publication: Publisher’s Name, Date of Publication.
Lee, Marshall. Bookmaking: Editing, Design, Production. 3rd ed. New York: Norton, 2004.
A Complete Bibliography Entry
As long as you remember to look for all nine elements you need to compile a complete bibliography entry, you will find it easy to follow the format of the notes bibliography style. Follow the punctuation carefully and make sure you include critical information like the edition number and publisher. This is especially important with classic books, which may be reprinted, translated or edited several times.