How to Cite a Website in Chicago Author-Date Format
Citing a website in the Chicago Author-Date format can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the guidelines. The Chicago Author-Date style is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, and it requires you to include the author’s name, the publication date, and the title of the website in your in-text citation. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of citing a website in the Chicago Author-Date format.
Understanding the Format
The Chicago Author-Date format is straightforward. When citing a website, you need to include the author’s last name, followed by a comma, the first name, a period, the publication date, and the title of the website. If the author’s name is not available, you can use the title of the website instead. Here’s an example:
Smith, John. “The History of the Internet.” 2021. Website Title.
In-Text Citations
When you mention a website in your text, you need to include an in-text citation. This citation should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you’re quoting directly from the website, you can also include the page number. Here’s an example:
According to Smith (2021), the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives.
If you’re paraphrasing the information, you can omit the page number:
The internet has become an essential tool for communication and information sharing (Smith, 2021).
Endnotes and Footnotes
If you need to provide more detailed information about the source, you can use endnotes or footnotes. In the Chicago Author-Date format, endnotes are preferred. Here’s an example of how to format an endnote:
1. Smith, John. “The History of the Internet.” 2021. Website Title. Accessed March 15, 2022, https://www.websitetitle.com.
Formatting the Bibliography
Finally, you need to include the website in your bibliography. The bibliography should follow the same format as the in-text citation, but without the in-text citation punctuation. Here’s an example:
Smith, John. “The History of the Internet.” 2021. Website Title. Accessed March 15, 2022, https://www.websitetitle.com.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to cite a website in the Chicago Author-Date format with ease. Remember to always double-check the formatting and ensure that you have the correct information for each source. Happy writing!
