Chicago Citation Guide - 17th Edition

The Chicago Manual of Style recommends using the Turabian style to set up a student paper. Your paper will include several components: a title page, the body of your paper, an endnotes list (if using endnotes), and a bibliography.

If your instructor has requested a different format or additional elements, use your instructor's preferences.

Basics

The margins of the paper should be set to 1" (one inch) all around.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Go to the Page Layout or Layout tab
2. Click Margins
3. Select the Normal option

For more information, see Change the Margins in Your Word Document

Basics

The line spacing for the paper should be set to double spacing.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Go to the Home tab
2. Click on the arrow in the lower right-hand corner of the Paragraph box.
3. Choose "Double" under Line Spacing in the Paragraph box

For more information, see Change the Line Spacing in Word

Basics

The font should be a standard size (such as 12 point) and an easy to read font, such as Times New Roman.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Go to the Home tab
2. In the Font box, change to Times New Roman and 12

For more information, see Change the Font Size

Basics

Insert the page number in the right area of the header. Use the built-in page numbering system; do not attempt to type each page number manually.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Go to the Insert tab
2. Under Header, select Edit Header (at the bottom)
   

1. Press Tab once or twice to go to the far right
2. Click Page Number
3. Click Current Position
4. Click Simple / Plain Number
   

For more information, see Insert Page Numbers

A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (style guidelines originally by Kate Turabian), recommends that class papers will either include a title page or include the title on the first page of the text. Ask your instructor and then use the following guidelines for creating your title page.

• The title should be centered a third of the way down the page on a single line.
• If your paper has a subtitle, use a colon to separate the main title from the subtitle. Add the subtitle on a new line.
• Several lines down, add your name, class information, and the date.
• Double-space each line of the title page.

For more information, see Add a Cover Page

• Label the first page of your back matter, your comprehensive list of sources, “Bibliography” (for Notes and Bibliography style) or “References” (for Author-Date style).
• Leave two blank lines between “Bibliography” or “References” and your first entry.
• Leave one blank line between entries.
• Each entry should be single-spaced with a hanging indent of a half an inch.
• List entries in letter-by-letter alphabetical order according to the first word in each entry, be that the author's name or the title of the piece.