This page provides provides instructions and examples for citing the following digital sources in both the notes-bibliography and author-date systems of the Chicago Manual of Style:
- ebooks
- graphic representations
- lecture notes
- online articles
- online dictionaries
- online videos
- podcasts
- slides
- social media
- software
- websites
The sources are organized in alphabetical order for ease of reference.
Ebooks
Ebooks follow similar citation rules as printed books but include information about the format and platform.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. URL or DOI.
- First Footnote: 1. John Smith, The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Life (New York: Marine Publishing, 2020), accessed June 10, 2021, http://www.example.com.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Smith, Impact of Climate Change.
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Smith 2020)
- Reference List Entry: Smith, John. 2020. The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Life. New York: Marine Publishing. http://www.example.com.
Emails are cited in the text only, not in the bibliography or reference list, as they are considered private communications.
Notes-Bibliography System
- First Footnote: 1. John Doe, email message to author, March 15, 2021.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Doe, email message.
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (John Doe, email to author, March 15, 2021)
Graphic Representations
Graphic representations include images, charts, graphs, and infographics found online.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Creator’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Image. Date. URL.
- First Footnote: 1. Jane Doe, Global Temperature Rise, January 5, 2020, http://www.example.com/image.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Doe, Global Temperature Rise.
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Doe 2020)
- Reference List Entry: Doe, Jane. 2020. Global Temperature Rise. January 5. http://www.example.com/image.
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes should include information about the lecture and where it was accessed.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Lecture.” Lecture notes for Course Title, Institution, Month Day, Year. URL.
- First Footnote: 1. Jane Doe, “Introduction to Marine Biology,” lecture notes for BIO101, University of Science, February 10, 2021, http://www.example.com/lecturenotes.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Doe, “Introduction to Marine Biology.”
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Doe 2021)
- Reference List Entry: Doe, Jane. 2021. “Introduction to Marine Biology.” Lecture notes for BIO101, University of Science. February 10. http://www.example.com/lecturenotes.
Online Articles
Online articles include journal articles, magazine articles, and newspaper articles accessed online.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal Volume Number, Issue Number (Year): Page Range. URL or DOI.
- First Footnote: 1. Emily Jones, “Coral Reefs and Climate Adaptation,” Marine Biology Journal 35, no. 2 (2018): 123-140, http://www.example.com/article.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Jones, “Coral Reefs and Climate Adaptation.”
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Jones 2018)
- Reference List Entry: Jones, Emily. 2018. “Coral Reefs and Climate Adaptation.” Marine Biology Journal 35 (2): 123-140. http://www.example.com/article.
Online Dictionaries
Online dictionaries require the name of the dictionary and the URL.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: “Word.” Title of Dictionary. Year. URL.
- First Footnote: 1. “Sustainability,” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2021, http://www.merriam-webster.com.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. “Sustainability.”
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary 2021)
- Reference List Entry: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2021. “Sustainability.” http://www.merriam-webster.com.
Online Videos
Online videos include YouTube videos and other streaming videos.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Creator’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Video.” Website Name. Month Day, Year. URL.
- First Footnote: 1. John Doe, “How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee,” YouTube, January 10, 2020, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Doe, “How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee.”
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Doe 2020)
- Reference List Entry: Doe, John. 2020. “How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee.” YouTube. January 10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.
Podcasts
Podcasts are cited with details about the episode and the series.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Host’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Episode.” Title of Podcast. Podcast audio, Month Day, Year. URL.
- First Footnote: 1. Jane Doe, “The Future of Marine Life,” Marine Science Podcast, podcast audio, March 15, 2021, http://www.example.com/podcast.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Doe, “The Future of Marine Life.”
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Doe 2021)
- Reference List Entry: Doe, Jane. 2021. “The Future of Marine Life.” Marine Science Podcast. Podcast audio. March 15. http://www.example.com/podcast.
Slides
Slides from presentations should include the presenter’s name and the title of the presentation.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Presenter’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Presentation.” Slide presentation, Institution, Month Day, Year. URL.
- First Footnote: 1. Jane Doe, “Climate Change and Marine Biodiversity,” slide presentation, University of Science, April 20, 2021, http://www.example.com/slides.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Doe, “Climate Change and Marine Biodiversity.”
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (Doe 2021)
- Reference List Entry: Doe, Jane. 2021. “Climate Change and Marine Biodiversity.” Slide presentation, University of Science. April 20. http://www.example.com/slides.
Social Media
Social media posts should include the handle or name of the poster, the content of the post, and the date.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Author’s Last Name, First Name (or handle). “Content of Post.” Social Media Platform, Month Day, Year. URL.
- First Footnote: 1. @marinebiologist, “Exploring the depths of the ocean! #MarineLife #Conservation,” Twitter, January 15, 2021, http://www.twitter.com/marinebiologist/status/123456789.
- Subsequent Footnotes: 2. @marinebiologist, “Exploring the depths.”
Author-Date System
- In-Text Citation: (@marinebiologist 2021)
- Reference List Entry: @marinebiologist. 2021. “Exploring the depths of the ocean! #MarineLife #Conservation.” Twitter. January 15. http://www.twitter.com/marinebiologist/status/123456789.
Software
Cite software with the name of the software, the version number, and the publisher.
Notes-Bibliography System
- Bibliography Entry: Software Name. Version Number. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
- First Footnote: 1. SPSS Statistics. Version 27
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