Turabian style is essentially the Chicago Manual of Style adapted for students and researchers. Created by Kate L. Turabian, the University of Chicago's dissertation secretary, it simplifies Chicago rules for academic papers, theses, and dissertations. Struggling to format Turabian citations? It is a tedious, frustrating struggle.

Turabian vs Chicago: What's the Difference?

While Turabian is based on Chicago style, it is specifically designed for student writers rather than professional publishers:

• Provides more explicit formatting instructions for student papers.
• Offers simplified citation examples for common source types.
• Provides clearer guidance on thesis and dissertation formatting.
• Includes examples tailored to student research sources.

Core Turabian Rules

Notes-Bibliography Format

This is the most common Turabian format. Sources are cited in numbered footnotes or endnotes, with a comprehensive bibliography at the end of the document.

Author-Date Format

Similar to APA and Harvard, this format uses parenthetical in-text citations and a matching reference list.

Paper Formatting

Turabian papers require 1-inch margins, double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman or similar font, page numbers centered at the bottom or top right, and a title page (with no page number on the title page itself).

Formatly and Turabian Style

Formatly provides full Turabian formatting support, making it easy for students to submit correctly formatted papers without wrestling with style guides. Our rule-based engine catches subtle errors that can cost you points, from incorrect footnote formatting to bibliography alphabetization errors.

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