Published 2017 • University of Chicago Press

Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition

The definitive guide for scholarly publishing, academic writing, and professional documentation. This reference covers the two documentation systems, formatting rules, and notable updates introduced in the 2017 revision.

Overview

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is the most widely used style guide in academic and professional publishing. The 17th edition, released in March 2017, reflects modern publishing practices, expands guidance for digital media, and standardizes inclusive language throughout scholarly work.

Academic Note: CMOS 17 maintains backward compatibility with earlier editions while streamlining punctuation rules and expanding examples for electronic sources, multimedia, and open-access publishing.

Two Documentation Systems

Chicago style offers two distinct citation systems, chosen based on discipline and publication requirements:

Notes-Bibliography System

Primarily used in humanities disciplines (history, literature, arts). Uses superscript numbers in text pointing to footnotes or endnotes, with a full bibliography at the end.

Format: Superscript number → Full citation in footnote → Abbreviated in subsequent notes → Full entry in bibliography.

Author-Date System

Common in sciences, social sciences, and technical writing. Uses inline citations with author surname and year of publication, paired with a reference list.

Format: (Smith 2020, 45) or Smith (2020, 45) argues that… → Full entry in References list.

Key Changes from the 16th Edition

The 17th edition introduces several structural and stylistic updates to align with contemporary publishing standards:

Expanded guidance for citing digital-native content (blogs, podcasts, interactive media, GitHub repositories)
Standardized gender-neutral and inclusive language recommendations (e.g., "chairperson" → "chair")
Updated punctuation rules for titles, subtitles, and container sources
Clarified formatting for works with three or more authors (now recommends "et al." in notes after first citation)
Revised copyright and fair use documentation guidelines
Expanded examples for non-English sources and translated works

Citation Examples (Notes-Bibliography)

Book (Single Author)

Footnote:

1. David A. Graeber, Debt: The First 5,000 Years (Brooklyn, NY: Melville House, 2011), 78.

Bibliography:

Graeber, David A. Debt: The First 5,000 Years. Brooklyn, NY: Melville House, 2011.

Journal Article

Footnote:

2. Jennifer Eberhardt, "The Shape of Bias: How Criminal Justice Perpetuates Racial Disparities," Annual Review of Criminology 4 (2021): 113–30.

Bibliography:

Eberhardt, Jennifer. "The Shape of Bias: How Criminal Justice Perpetuates Racial Disparities." Annual Review of Criminology 4 (2021): 113–30.

Webpage / Online Source

Footnote:

3. National Institute of Mental Health, "Depression," updated March 15, 2023, NIMH Website, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression.

Bibliography:

National Institute of Mental Health. "Depression." Updated March 15, 2023. NIMH Website. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression.

Book (3+ Authors)

Footnote (1st citation):

4. Stephen P. Stein, David A. Graeber, and Karen B. Smith, Collective Action in Digital Age (Chicago: U of Chicago P, 2019), 112.

Subsequent citation:

Stein, Graeber, and Smith, Collective Action, 115.

Digital & Electronic Sources

CMOS 17 significantly expanded guidance for born-digital content. Key principles:

Always include access dates for online sources that may change or lack version control
Use "accessed [Date]" format rather than "retrieved from"
Cite specific URLs rather than DOIs when available, unless the publisher specifies DOI preference
For social media, include platform name, username handle, post date, and direct link
Podcasts and audio files should include episode title, podcast series, publication date, and runtime if relevant

Best Practice: When citing digital archives or databases, name the platform (e.g., JSTOR, Project MUSE) and include the permanent link or stable URL provided by the archive.

Official Resources

For authoritative references, examples, and downloadable style sheets:

Chicago Manual of Style Online: chicagomanualofstyle.org
Official Q&A Forum & Style Notes: FAQ Section
University of Chicago Press Publishing Guidelines
Purdue OWL Chicago Style Guide (Third-Party Educational Resource)

This guide is maintained by the Aevum Encyclopedia Editorial Board for academic reference. Always verify citation requirements with your institution, publisher, or discipline-specific guidelines.