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Notes-Bibliography vs Author-Date
Chicago Manual of Style defines two distinct citation systems. Your discipline and advisor will determine which is appropriate for your thesis. The choice affects every page—citations, notes, references—so choose early and check your graduate school handbook.
Notes-Bibliography System
The traditional humanities format, used in history, literature, philosophy, and art history. Citations appear as footnotes (at the page bottom) or endnotes (at the chapter end or end of paper), with a separate bibliography listing all sources alphabetically by author's last name. This system allows you to add commentary and context within notes, not just cite the source.
Author-Date System
The sciences and social sciences format, similar to APA. In-text parenthetical citations (Author Year) appear in the body of your paper, with a "Reference List" (not bibliography) at the end containing full publication details. This system is more compact and emphasizes the publication year.
| Feature | Notes-Bibliography | Author-Date |
|---|---|---|
| Primary disciplines | History, humanities, literature, art history | Social sciences, sciences, economics |
| Citation location | Footnotes or endnotes | Parenthetical in text |
| Reference list name | Bibliography | Reference List |
| Allows commentary? | Yes, notes can add context | No, parentheses are for citations only |
| Example (book) | 1. Jane Smith, The Study of Learning (Chicago: University Press, 2023), 45. |
(Smith 2023, 45) |
| Example (journal article) | 2. John Doe, "Online Learning," Education Quarterly 12, no. 3 (2023): 220. |
(Doe 2023) |
Your thesis advisor or graduate program handbook will specify which system to use. Many programs require notes-bibliography for humanities; if you are unsure, ask your advisor before you begin writing.
The Title Page
Chicago and Turabian favor a centered, vertically spaced title page that projects authority and formality. The layout divides the page into three zones: title (upper third), institutional statement (middle), and author details (lower third).
Chicago/Turabian Title Page Elements (in order)
- Dissertation title. Bold, centered, begins 1.5 to 2 inches from the top. If the title spans multiple lines, center each line and double-space between them.
- Institutional boilerplate. Centered block of text, single-spaced within the block, describing the degree and institution (e.g., "A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of [University Name] in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy").
- Author byline. Preceded by the word "by" (centered), then your full name in bold on the next line, centered.
- Place and date. City/location of the institution, then month and year of submission, both centered near the bottom of the page.
- Page numbering. The title page is numbered page i or 1 (roman or arabic), depending on your program's convention. Check your graduate school handbook.
Graduate schools often require specific wording on the title page and may mandate a 1.5-inch left margin for binding. Download your university's official dissertation template or ETD (Electronic Theses and Dissertations) style guide and follow it exactly—it will override these guidelines if there is any conflict.
Margins, Spacing, and Pagination
Margins
Chicago standard is 1-inch margins on all four sides. However, most universities require a 1.5-inch left margin to accommodate binding of the physical dissertation. Check your graduate school's ETD template—the binding margin is almost universally required for the final submission.
| Margin | Chicago Standard | University Dissertation (common) |
|---|---|---|
| Top | 1 inch | 1 inch |
| Bottom | 1 inch | 1 inch |
| Left | 1 inch | 1.5 inches (for binding) |
| Right | 1 inch | 1 inch |
Line Spacing
- Body text: Double-spaced.
- Block quotations: Single-spaced, indented 0.5 inches from the left margin.
- Notes (footnotes/endnotes): Single-spaced within each note; double-space between notes.
- Bibliography: Single-spaced within each entry; double-space between entries (hanging indent style).
- Tables and figures: Check your program's requirements; typically single-spaced captions, double-spaced if they are part of body text.
Pagination
Chicago dissertations follow a two-part numbering scheme:
- Front matter (title page, abstract, acknowledgments, table of contents): Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, …). Often the title page is not numbered or is numbered but not shown.
- Main chapters (Chapter 1 onward): Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, …), beginning with Chapter 1 or the Introduction.
- Back matter (bibliography, appendices): Continues arabic numbering from the main text.
Place the page number in the top right corner of every page (except the title page, which may omit the number or place it at the bottom center, depending on your institution).
Universities maintain detailed ETD templates that specify exact pagination rules, margin requirements, and spacing conventions. Download yours from your graduate school website and use it as your master document before consulting this guide.
Footnote and Bibliography Examples
Chicago style distinguishes between the first mention of a source (full citation) and subsequent mentions (shortened form). Below are real examples for common source types in notes-bibliography format.
Book — First Footnote Mention
1. Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018), 23.
Book — Subsequent Footnote Mention
5. Turabian, Manual for Writers, 45.
Book — Bibliography Entry
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 9th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018.
Journal Article — First Footnote Mention
2. Robert E. Davis and Mary Chen, "Effective Online Learning Communities," Journal of Educational Research 45, no. 2 (2022): 156–178.
Journal Article — Subsequent Footnote Mention
8. Davis and Chen, "Effective Online Learning," 167.
Journal Article — Bibliography Entry
Davis, Robert E., and Mary Chen. "Effective Online Learning Communities." Journal of Educational Research 45, no. 2 (2022): 156–178.
Key Formatting Rules
- First vs. subsequent notes: The first time you cite a source, list all author names and full publication details. On subsequent cites, use the author's last name and a shortened form of the title.
- Italics: Book titles and journal titles are italicized. Article titles are in quotation marks.
- Bibliography arrangement: Alphabetical by author's last name, with a hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches).
- Ibid.: If you cite the same source twice in a row (back-to-back footnotes), you may use "Ibid." instead of repeating the shortened form. Use "Ibid., page number" to cite a different page in the same source.
Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or the built-in reference managers in Word and Google Docs can automatically format footnotes and bibliography entries in Chicago style, reducing manual errors. Even if you use a tool, proofread the output against these examples to catch formatting inconsistencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Chicago and Turabian?
Chicago Manual of Style is the authoritative style guide published by the University of Chicago Press. Turabian is Kate L. Turabian's simplified adaptation designed specifically for student research papers, theses, and dissertations. Turabian follows Chicago's rules but is more streamlined for academic writing. Your graduate school will specify which to use—many build their own dissertation manuals on top of Chicago or Turabian conventions.
Should my thesis use footnotes or endnotes?
Chicago style permits both. Footnotes appear at the bottom of each page and are easier for readers to consult. Endnotes appear at the end of each chapter or the end of the paper and are easier to format in word processors. Check your graduate school handbook—many require one or the other, and a few allow you to choose. Once you pick one, use it consistently throughout.
Do table of contents entries need dot leaders in Chicago style?
Chicago style does not mandate dot leaders (the dots connecting a chapter title to its page number). However, many universities require them in dissertation tables of contents for professional presentation. Check your institution's ETD template or style guide. Word processors (MS Word, Google Docs) can auto-generate tables of contents with or without leaders.
What is the difference between first and subsequent footnote citation formats?
The first time you cite a source, use the full citation: all author names, full title, publication details. On subsequent citations of the same source, use a shortened form: author's last name, shortened title, page number. If citing the same source twice in a row, you may use 'Ibid.' (meaning 'in the same place') or the shortened form. The bibliography lists sources in full, alphabetically by author's last name.
Can I use the author-date system for a humanities thesis?
Chicago's author-date system (in-text parenthetical citations with a reference list) is standard in sciences and social sciences, but humanities and history typically prefer notes-bibliography (footnotes/endnotes with a separate bibliography). However, your thesis advisor or graduate program may allow author-date if that is your preference. Always check your program's handbook before deciding.
Sources
- Chicago Manual of Style Online — Official Chicago style reference.
- Turabian Manual for Writers (University of Chicago Press) — Kate L. Turabian's authoritative student guide to Chicago-based dissertations.
- Turabian Quick Guide to Citations — Quick reference for footnote and bibliography formatting.