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History 128AC: Citing

Zotero support

  • Check the Library's workshops for Zotero offerings. I will also do Zotero workshops on demand for five or more students who can get themselves organized and find a time that works for them and for me.
  • Visit our Zotero guide for help with basic and advanced topics.

Download a PDF guide to using Zotero & the Chicago Manual of Style.

Chicago Manual of Style

The Chicago Manual of Style includes two slightly different documentation systems: (1) notes and bibliography (NB) and (2) author-date. The notes and bibliography style is preferred by many in literature, history, and the arts.

In the NB system, you mark within your paper where you have cited something by adding a number, which refers to a detailed reference either at the bottom of the page (footnote) or at the end of the paper (endnote). These notes indicate the specific place in your source you are referencing.

The bibliography includes complete information for each item, with the items arranged in alphabetical order by author's last name.

Purdue's Writing Lab provides an example of a paper formatted using Chicago NB style.

Special instructions

Citing museum labels

The Chicago Manual of Style does not provide guidance on how to cite museum labels and signs. If the information is reproduced in collection guides, the museum's website, or brochures, it would be simpler to cite these.  If not, then create your footnote/endnote and bibliographic citation with as much information as possible:

  • Author of text/curator of exhibit
  • Format of information (wall text, object label, plaque)
  • Name of exhibition/Name of museum department
  • Museum name and location 
  • Date of exhibition/date of visit

Example:

Object label, Their Home Was Fort Ross, Fort Ross Visitor Center Museum, Jenner, California, August 24, 2023.