Chicago Manual of Style

When discussing the format of history papers, it is impossible to not mention the famed Chicago Manual of Style (CMS).

Historians write in Chicago, particularly the Notes and Bibliography (NB) system, because it best suits the nature of historical writing. History relies heavily on primary and secondary sources. The footnote system in Chicago allows historians to provide detailed citations without interrupting the flow of the main text. The footnote system allows historians to add commentary, context, and explanations directly within citations, which is crucial for historical analysis. CMS has also been widely used in history for over a century, and many major historical journals and university presses require it.

Below you will find a slideshow provided by Purdue University's Online Writing Lab. The slideshow breaks down the notes and bibliography system of CMS that historians rely on to format their papers.

Sidenote: I have turned to this slideshow countless of times for class assignments and independent study. I have, unfortunately, still not fully memorized the style in which I write.😅