Well-known reference books are generally only cited in notes, not the bibliography. Full publication information is usually not included, but the edition must be specified.
References to an alphabetically arranged work cite the item preceded by "s.v.", instead of a volume or page number.
To cite less well-known reference books, or if a fuller citation is required, please see the page for a "Chapter or Article in a Multi-Author Book."
General Format
Full Note:
1. Book Title: Subtitle, Edition, s.v. "Title of Entry."
Concise Note:
2. Book Title: Subtitle, Edition, s.v. "Title of Entry."
Bibliography:
Often omitted.
Example
Full Note:
1. Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th ed., s.v. "Salvation."
Concise Note:
2. Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th ed., s.v. "Salvation."
Bibliography:
Often omitted.
Download this 2-page guide:
Websites with information on using Chicago style:
This guide is intended to cover only the Notes and Bibliography system for citing books.
For each type of source in this guide, both the general form and a specific example will be provided.
The following format will be used:
Full Note - use the first time that you cite a source.
Concise Note - use after the first time you cite a source.
Bibliography - use when you are compiling the Bibliography that appears at the end of your paper.
Information on citing and several of the examples were drawn from The Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed.).
Numbers in parentheses refer to specific sections and pages in the manual.