Chicago Style Paper: Standard Format and Rules

Creating a Chicago style paper can be challenging to figure out at first. However, Chicago does offer a Turabian style designed just for students to simplify things. Learn how to format your Turabian/Chicago style paper from the layout to the images.

Chicago Style Paper Page Layout

Like most style guides, Chicago style paper formatting has a specific plan and page layout. However, since the main Chicago style guide is designed mostly for published work, Chicago offers students a handy guide created by Kate L. Turabian. The Turabian style of the Chicago Manual of Style works well to break down the general formatting guidelines for creating your student research paper in Chicago. 

To keep things simple, let’s look at the basic formatting rules first. 

• 1-inch margins
• Times New Roman 12 pt. font recommended
• Left justified (means the text on the right will be jagged)
• ½ inch indent for the beginning of paragraphs
• Header with the page number in the right corner
• Double spaced

Formatting Your Chicago Title Page

When it comes to creating your title page in Chicago style, there are a couple of ways you can handle it. You can choose to create a separate title page, or you can add your title to the first page of your paper. 

For a separate title page, you need to meet these guidelines. 

• The title is ⅓ of the way down. 
• The subtitle goes under the title. Place a colon after the main title. 
• After 3-4 returns from the title (about ¾ way down), place your name, class, date, and any other instructor requests. 
• Everything on the title page should be double spaced. 

Creating Headings for Chicago

Throughout your paper, headings are included in the Chicago style to set off chapters and other areas of your essay. Chicago style doesn’t offer a specific format when it comes to headings as APA style does. However, the Chicago style does clarify that you should keep everything consistent within your project. Therefore, if you have a  chapter heading using a bold, large font, then use that same format for all your chapter headings. For subheadings, if you use italics, use that same font size and italics, etc. Additionally, all titles use title case. 

Example of Headings: 

Block Quotations in Chicago Style

When you think about formatting your Chicago style paper, you must think about formatting your block quotes. These are lines of prose that are five or more lines. Rather than using quotations marks for these, you set them off with a ½ inch indent. The title of the work is included in the line above in italics, and the blockquote is set off with a colon in the line leading into the quote. 

Chicago Style Numbers and Acronyms

The Turabian format of the Chicago Manual of Style doesn’t have many rules for numbers and acronyms. However, they do want you to introduce an acronym the first time you use it. For example, to introduce the acronym for the Chicago Manual of Style, it would look like the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).

 

Figures and Tables in Chicago

When it comes time to include a figure or table in Chicago style, it’s essential to place it directly under the information where you discuss it. Additionally, follow a few different rules like:

• Place the caption flush left under the image or table.
• Start with a label (i.e., Figure 1 or Table 1). These should be in consecutive order, like Figure 1, Figure 1.1, etc.
• Use single spacing for the caption.
• Use at least one blank line between the caption and text of the body of the article.

Perfect Chicago Formatting

Once you break down all the rules, Chicago paper formatting is pretty simple. Just remember, your instructor’s recommendations trumps the style guidelines. Therefore, you’ll want to follow any specific rules your instructor has set for you.