Turabian Format Examples for Every Source Type and Citation Style

Turabian style, a specialized version of the Chicago Manual of Style designed specifically for students and researchers, remains the standard for academic writing in history, theology, and the arts. While it mirrors many Chicago conventions, it provides simplified guidelines for formatting term papers, theses, and dissertations. The system offers two distinct citation methods: the Notes-Bibliography (NB) style, which uses footnotes or endnotes, and the Author-Date (AD) style, which relies on parenthetical in-text citations.

Choosing the correct style usually depends on the academic discipline. The Notes-Bibliography style is preferred by the humanities, as it keeps the text clean and allows for expansive bibliographic commentary. Conversely, the Author-Date style is the mainstay of physical, natural, and social sciences, prioritizing the currency of the research by placing the publication year directly in the text.

Core General Formatting Requirements

Before diving into specific citation examples, a paper must adhere to the foundational layout standards prescribed by the Turabian manual. These rules ensure consistency across academic submissions.

• Margins: Maintain a 1-inch margin on all four sides of the page.
• Font: Use a standard, readable font. Times New Roman, 12-point, is the nearly universal academic requirement.
• Spacing: The main body text must be double-spaced. However, block quotations, table titles, figure captions, footnotes, and bibliography entries should be single-spaced within the entry but double-spaced between entries.
• Pagination: Page numbers are required for all pages except the title page. In Turabian, the title page is counted as page "i" (but not numbered), and subsequent front matter uses Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv). The main body starts with Arabic numeral 1 in the top right corner.
• Paragraph Indentation: Indent the first line of every paragraph by 0.5 inches.
• Alignment: Use left-aligned text with a "ragged" right margin. Do not justify the text.

Notes-Bibliography Style (NB) Detailed Examples

The NB system is characterized by superscript numbers in the text that lead the reader to a corresponding note at the bottom of the page (footnote) or the end of the paper (endnote).

The Mechanics of Notes

When citing a source for the first time, provide a full note containing all publication details. For subsequent citations of the same source, use a shortened note format. While previous editions heavily used "Ibid." for consecutive citations, the 9th edition encourages the use of shortened notes (Author, Short Title, Page) to improve clarity for digital readers.

1. Books with One or More Authors

Full Footnote (First mention):

1. Samantha J. Miller, The Architecture of Renaissance Florence (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018), 45-47.

Shortened Footnote (Subsequent mentions): 2. Miller, Architecture of Florence, 52.

Bibliography Entry: Miller, Samantha J. The Architecture of Renaissance Florence. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018.

For two authors: Note: 3. Robert Blake and Julia Chen, Modernism in Asia (London: Routledge, 2020), 112. Bibliography: Blake, Robert, and Julia Chen. Modernism in Asia. London: Routledge, 2020.

For four or more authors: Note: 4. Alice Walker et al., Global Economic Trends (New York: Scribner, 2015), 300. Bibliography: List all authors. Walker, Alice, David Smith, Kevin Roe, and Maria Garcia. Global Economic Trends. New York: Scribner, 2015.

2. Journal Articles (Print vs. Online)

Articles in scholarly journals require the volume, issue number, and specific page ranges. If accessed online, a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is preferred over a URL.

Full Footnote (Online): 5. Marcus Thorne, "The Impact of Volcanic Activity on Medieval Harvests," Journal of Environmental History 12, no. 3 (Fall 2021): 215, https://doi.org/10.1086/714522.

Bibliography Entry: Thorne, Marcus. "The Impact of Volcanic Activity on Medieval Harvests." Journal of Environmental History 12, no. 3 (Fall 2021): 208-35. https://doi.org/10.1086/714522.

3. Websites and Social Media

Turabian requires an access date for web content only if no publication or revision date is provided.

Full Footnote: 6. "History of the Smithsonian," Smithsonian Institution, last modified January 15, 2023, accessed March 10, 2024, https://www.si.edu/about/history.

Bibliography Entry: Smithsonian Institution. "History of the Smithsonian." Last modified January 15, 2023. Accessed March 10, 2024. https://www.si.edu/about/history.

Author-Date Style (AD) Detailed Examples

The Author-Date system is more concise in the text but requires a comprehensive "Reference List" at the end of the document.

The Mechanics of In-Text Citations

In-text citations are placed in parentheses and include the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number. There is no comma between the author and the year, but a comma follows the year before the page number.

Example: (Miller 2018, 45)

1. Books

Reference List Entry: Miller, Samantha J. 2018. The Architecture of Renaissance Florence. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

In-Text Citation: The development of dome structures was a turning point (Miller 2018, 45).

2. Journal Articles

Reference List Entry: Thorne, Marcus. 2021. "The Impact of Volcanic Activity on Medieval Harvests." Journal of Environmental History 12 (3): 208-35. https://doi.org/10.1086/714522.

In-Text Citation: Data suggests a correlation between ash fall and crop failure (Thorne 2021, 215).

3. Chapter in an Edited Volume

Reference List Entry: Garcia, Helena. 2019. "The Rise of Digital Currencies." In Future of Finance, edited by Thomas Wu, 88-105. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press.

In-Text Citation: (Garcia 2019, 90)

Special Applications and Primary Sources

Certain fields, particularly theology and legal history, require specialized citation formats that deviate slightly from the standard book/article model.

Citing Sacred Texts (The Bible)

In Turabian, the Bible is generally not included in the bibliography or reference list. It is cited only in notes or in-text parenthetical citations.

• Notes Style: 7. 1 Cor. 13:1 (Revised Standard Version).
• Author-Date Style: (2 Kings 2:11, New International Version).

Use standard abbreviations for the books of the Bible (e.g., Gen., Exod., Matt., Rev.).

Citing Theses or Dissertations

When referencing unpublished academic works, the format is as follows:

Notes Style: 8. Li Wei, "Urbanization in the Pearl River Delta" (PhD diss., Stanford University, 2016), 88.

Bibliography: Wei, Li. "Urbanization in the Pearl River Delta." PhD diss., Stanford University, 2016.

Block Quotations

If a quotation is five lines or longer (or more than 100 words), it must be formatted as a block quote:

1. Do not use quotation marks.
2. Start the quote on a new line.
3. Indent the entire quote 0.5 inches from the left margin.
4. Single-space the quote.
5. Follow the quote with the citation (footnote number or parenthetical).

Visualizing the Structural Components

A complete Turabian paper is more than just citations; it is a structured document with specific sections.

The Title Page

Turabian style typically does not use a header on the title page. The information should be centered:

• Title: All caps, one-third of the way down the page.
• Subtitle: If applicable, follow the title with a colon and the subtitle on the next line.
• Personal Information: Your name, class information, and date, placed about two-thirds of the way down the page.

The Table of Contents

A table of contents is required for longer works. It should be labeled "Contents" (not "Table of Contents") at the top. Use leader dots (periods with spaces) to connect the heading names to the page numbers.

Heading Levels

To organize the body of the paper, Turabian suggests up to five levels of subheadings:

1. First Level: Centered, Bold or Italic, Headline-Style Capitalization.
2. Second Level: Centered, Regular Type, Headline-Style Capitalization.
3. Third Level: Flush Left, Bold or Italic, Headline-Style Capitalization.
4. Fourth Level: Flush Left, Regular Type, Sentence-style capitalization.
5. Fifth Level: Run in at beginning of paragraph (indented), Bold or Italic, Sentence-style capitalization, followed by a period.

Notes-Bibliography vs. Author-Date: A Comparison Table

Managing the Bibliography and Reference List

The final list of sources must be alphabetized by the author's last name. If a source has no author, alphabetize it by the first word of the title (ignoring articles like "A", "An", or "The").

Hanging Indents: This is a crucial visual requirement. The first line of each entry is flush with the left margin. All subsequent lines of the same entry must be indented 0.5 inches. In modern word processors, this is achieved by adjusting the "Special Indent" setting to "Hanging."

Repeated Authors: If you have multiple works by the exact same author, the first entry includes their name. In subsequent entries, you can replace the name with a 3-em dash (---) followed by a period, though some instructors prefer repeating the name for clarity in digital submissions.

Conclusion

Mastering the Turabian format is a rite of passage for serious academic researchers. By distinguishing between the Notes-Bibliography style for humanities and the Author-Date style for sciences, you ensure your work meets the professional standards of your specific field. Remember that the goal of any citation style is twofold: to give proper credit to the original thinkers and to provide a clear roadmap for future researchers to verify your evidence. Whether you are formatting a complex table of contents or detailing a footnote for an obscure archival document, consistency is your most valuable tool.

Summary of Key Rules

• Margins and Font: 1-inch margins, 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced body.
• NB Style: Uses footnotes and a Bibliography.
• AD Style: Uses parenthetical (Author Year) and a Reference List.
• Notes: Full info for the first citation; shortened info thereafter.
• Electronic Sources: Prioritize DOIs over URLs.
• Bible Citations: Use abbreviations in text/notes; omit from the bibliography.
• Hanging Indents: Mandatory for both Bibliography and Reference List entries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between Turabian and Chicago Style?

Turabian is essentially an abbreviated version of the Chicago Manual of Style. While Chicago is designed for professional publishers and editors, Turabian is tailored for students and researchers. It focuses on the specific needs of formatting papers, theses, and dissertations, omitting the professional publishing sections of the full Chicago manual.

Should I use footnotes or endnotes in Turabian?

Unless your instructor specifies otherwise, footnotes (at the bottom of the page) are generally preferred because they allow the reader to see the source without flipping to the back of the paper. However, endnotes (on a separate page before the bibliography) may be requested if the footnotes are exceptionally long and distract from the main text.

How do I cite a source with no author?

For a source without a listed author, such as a news article from a website or a corporate report, use the title of the work in place of the author in the notes and bibliography. In the Author-Date style, use the first few words of the title in the parenthetical citation.

Is "Ibid." still used in Turabian 9th Edition?

While "Ibid." (short for ibidem, meaning "in the same place") is still recognized, the latest edition of Turabian recommends using shortened notes (Author, Short Title, Page) instead. This change was made because "Ibid." can become confusing in digital environments where readers might jump between pages or sections.

Do I need to include a bibliography if I use footnotes?

Yes. In the Notes-Bibliography style, the footnotes provide specific page references for individual claims, while the Bibliography provides a complete, alphabetized list of every source consulted during your research. A bibliography is essential for showing the breadth of your research.