How do you properly use Chicago style footnotes in a college essay?

Chicago style footnotes can seem tricky at first, but once you understand the basics, it becomes a lot more manageable—especially for history papers or other humanities work where sources and evidence matter a lot.

In Chicago style, use a footnote for any idea, paraphrase, or direct quote you borrow from another source. That means it's not just for direct quotations; anytime you’re including information you learned somewhere else (statistics, arguments, facts, or specific interpretations), you should insert a footnote.

Here’s how it works:

1. Place a superscript number at the end of the sentence or clause where you reference the source. The number should come after the punctuation (like a period).

2. At the bottom of the page, the corresponding footnote gives the full citation. The first time you cite a source, provide the complete citation. If you cite it again later, you can use a shortened format (like: Author’s last name, short title, page number).

Example: Let's say you’re writing, "Historians argue that the French Revolution’s roots lie in Enlightenment thinking." You’d place a superscript number after the sentence: "...Enlightenment thinking."¹ and then at the bottom:

1. Peter McPhee, The French Revolution, 1789-1799 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002), 24.

Later, if you reference the same book:

3. McPhee, The French Revolution, 47.

For formatting in Word:

- Go to the end of the sentence you want to footnote.
- Click 'References' in the top menu, then click 'Insert Footnote.' Word will automatically add a superscript number and take you to the bottom of the page to type your citation.
- If you need to edit numbering, Word tracks it and adjusts automatically.

A few tips:
- Don't use footnotes for your own ideas or analysis—only for evidence or information from other sources.
- If you’re unsure, it’s better to footnote too much than too little (to avoid accidental plagiarism).
- If you’re using multiple sources in one sentence, you can include multiple footnotes.

When you turn to your bibliography or Works Cited page, make sure you format those entries in full, as Chicago requires both footnotes and a bibliography for most papers.

Once you get used to the rhythm—sentence, superscript, cite at bottom—it should become routine. If you’re interested in extra guidance, the Chicago Manual of Style’s official website is a helpful resource, and many universities’ writing centers have citation templates you can follow.